ruffle 1
— ruffly , adj. — ruffler , n.
/ruf"euhl/ , v. , ruffled, ruffling , n.
v.t.
1. to destroy the smoothness or evenness of: The wind ruffled the sand.
2. to erect (the feathers), as a bird in anger.
3. to disturb, vex, or irritate: to be ruffled by a perceived slight.
4. to turn (the pages of a book) rapidly.
5. to pass (cards) through the fingers rapidly in shuffling.
6. to draw up (cloth, lace, etc.) into a ruffle by gathering along one edge.
v.i.
7. to be or become ruffled; undulate; flutter: Flags ruffle in the wind.
8. to be or become vexed or irritated.
9. to put on airs; swagger.
n.
10. a break in the smoothness or evenness of some surface; undulation.
11. a strip of cloth, lace, etc., drawn up by gathering along one edge and used as a trimming on a dress, blouse, etc.
12. some object resembling this, as the ruff of a bird.
13. disturbance or vexation; annoyance; irritation: It is impossible to live without some daily ruffles to our composure.
14. a disturbed state of mind; perturbation.
[ 1250-1300; ME ruffelen (v.); c. LG ruffelen to crumple, rumple; cf. ON hruffa to scratch ]
Syn. 1. disarrange, disorder, wrinkle, rumple. 3. upset, annoy, agitate. 10. perturbation, flurry, agitation. 11. frill, ruff.
Ant. 1. smooth, arrange, order. 3. soothe, compose. 13. tranquillity.
ruffle 2
/ruf"euhl/ , n. , v. , ruffled, ruffling .
n.
1. a low, continuous beating of a drum.
v.t.
2. to beat (a drum) in this manner.
[ 1715-25; archaic ruff in same sense (perh. imit.) + -LE ]