I. ˈrəfˌnek noun
Etymology: rough (I) + neck
1. : a rough or uncouth person ; especially : one markedly inclined to violent, quarrelsome, or mischievous behavior : rowdy , tough
a gang of roughnecks
stopped her boy from playing with the neighborhood roughnecks
2. : a member of a crew that builds and repairs oil wells
II. adjective
also rough·necked -kt
: having the characteristics of or suitable for a roughneck : uncouth , barbarous
roughneck language
the world's gone roughneck — Ellen Glasgow
went out to a roughneck dance — Sinclair Lewis