I. ˈrəf noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English ruf, roffe, probably from ruffe, rowe sea bream, perhaps from row, ruh, rough, adjective, rough — more at rough
1. also ruffe : a small freshwater European perch ( Acerina cernua )
2. : a pumpkinseed ( Lepomis gibbosus )
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably back-formation from ruffle (I)
1. : a wheel-shaped collar made of several layers of lace or lace-edged muslin or linen starched and goffered usually in S-shaped folds and worn tied on at the front by men and women of the late 16th and early 17th centuries
2. : ruffle 4a
3. : something suggestive of a ruff: as
a. : a fringe or frill of long hairs or a set of lengthened or otherwise modified feathers around or on the neck of a mammal or bird
the ruff of a Persian cat
b. : a collar to prevent endwise motion (as at either end of a shaft journal)
c. : a loose ornamented boot top common in the 17th century
4.
a. : a common sandpiper ( Philomachus pugnax ) of Europe and Asia whose male during the breeding season has a large ruff of erectile feathers on the neck and yellowish naked tubercles on the face, is polygamous, and is noted for pugnacity — compare reeve
b. : a domestic pigeon having a ruff on its neck
5.
[influenced in meaning by ruffle (I) ]
obsolete
a. : the highest degree (as of pride or prosperity) : the top extreme or limit : apex , crest , zenith
b. : elation , pride
c. : fury or violence of passion
[s]ruff.jpg[/s] [
ruff 1
]
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1.
a. : to make into a ruff
b. : ruffle I 7a
2. of a stooping falcon : to strike but fail to secure (a bird)
3. : to comb (hair) by taking hold of a strand and pushing the short hairs toward the scalp with the comb
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French roffle, ronfle
1. : a 16th century game from which whist was developed
2. : the playing of a trump when another suit is led
V. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: trump
VI. noun
( -s )
Etymology: imitative
archaic : a low drumbeat : ruffle
VII. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. Scotland : to beat a ruffle on a drum
2. Scotland : to stamp with the feet in applause