ruffle



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Ruffle \Ruf"fle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ruffled; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Ruffling.] [From Ruff a plaited collar, a drum beat, a
   tumult: cf. OD. ruyffelen to wrinkle.]
   1. To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers,
      plaits, or folds; to wrinkle.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To furnish with ruffles; as, to ruffle a shirt.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To oughen or disturb the surface of; to make uneven by
      agitation or commotion.
      [1913 Webster]

            The fantastic revelries . . . that so often ruffled
            the placid bosom of the Nile.         --I. Taylor.
      [1913 Webster]

            She smoothed the ruffled seas.        --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. To erect in a ruff, as feathers.
      [1913 Webster]

            [the swan] ruffles her pure cold plume. --Tennyson.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. (Mil.) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. To discompose; to agitate; to disturb.
      [1913 Webster]

            These ruffle the tranquillity of the mind. --Sir W.
                                                  Hamilton.
      [1913 Webster]

            But, ever after, the small violence done
            Rankled in him and ruffled all his heart.
                                                  --Tennyson.
      [1913 Webster]

   7. To throw into disorder or confusion.
      [1913 Webster]

            Where best
            He might the ruffled foe infest.      --Hudibras.
      [1913 Webster]

   8. To throw together in a disorderly manner. [R.]
      [1913 Webster]

            I ruffled up falen leaves in heap.    --Chapman
      [1913 Webster]

   To ruffle the feathers of, to exite the resentment of; to
      irritate.
      [1913 Webster]
.



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Ruffle \Ruf"fle\, v. i. [Perhaps of different origin from ruffle
   to wrinkle; cf. OD. roffeln, roffen, to pander, LG. raffein,
   Dan. ruffer a pimp. Cf. Rufflan.]
   1. To grow rough, boisterous, or turbulent. [R.]
      [1913 Webster]

            The night comes on, and the bleak winds
            Do sorely ruffle.                     --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To become disordered; to play loosely; to flutter.
      [1913 Webster]

            On his right shoulder his thick mane reclined,
            Ruffles at speed, and dances in the wind. --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on
      airs; to swagger.
      [1913 Webster]

            They would ruffle with jurors.        --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

            Gallants who ruffled in silk and embroidery. --Sir
                                                  W. Scott.
      [1913 Webster]
.



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Ruffle \Ruf"fle\, n. [See Ruffle, v. t. & i.]
   1. That which is ruffled; specifically, a strip of lace,
      cambric, or other fine cloth, plaited or gathered on one
      edge or in the middle, and used as a trimming; a frill.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A state of being ruffled or disturbed; disturbance;
      agitation; commotion; as, to put the mind in a ruffle.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. (Mil.) A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a
      roll; -- called also ruff. --H. L. Scott.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. (Zool.) The connected series of large egg capsules, or
      oothecae, of any one of several species of American marine
      gastropods of the genus Fulgur. See Ootheca.
      [1913 Webster]

   Ruffle of a boot, the top turned down, and scalloped or
      plaited. --Halliwell.
      [1913 Webster]














Feedback Form