n. [ Of uncertain origin: cf. Icel. rūfinn rough, uncombed, Pr. ruf rude, rough, Sp. rufo frizzed, crisp, curled, G. raufen to pluck, fight, rupfen to pluck, pull, E. rough. √18. Cf. Ruffle to wrinkle. ] 1. A muslin or linen collar plaited, crimped, or fluted, worn formerly by both sexes, now only by women and children. [ 1913 Webster ]

Here to-morrow with his best ruff on. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

His gravity is much lessened since the late proclamation came out against ruffs; . . . they were come to that height of excess herein, that twenty shillings were used to be paid for starching of a ruff. Howell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Something formed with plaits or flutings, like the collar of this name. [ 1913 Webster ]

I reared this flower; . . .
Soft on the paper ruff its leaves I spread. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An exhibition of pride or haughtiness. [ 1913 Webster ]

How many princes . . . in the ruff of all their glory, have been taken down from the head of a conquering army to the wheel of the victor's chariot! L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Wanton or tumultuous procedure or conduct. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To ruffle it out in a riotous ruff. Latimer. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Mil.) A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a roll; a ruffle. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Mach.) A collar on a shaft ot other piece to prevent endwise motion. See Illust. of Collar. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Zool.) A set of lengthened or otherwise modified feathers round, or on, the neck of a bird. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Zool.) (a) A limicoline bird of Europe and Asia (Pavoncella pugnax, syn. Philomachus pugnax) allied to the sandpipers. The males during the breeding season have a large ruff of erectile feathers, variable in their colors, on the neck, and yellowish naked tubercles on the face. They are polygamous, and are noted for their pugnacity in the breeding season. The female is called reeve, or rheeve. (b) A variety of the domestic pigeon, having a ruff of its neck. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. & t. (Card Playing) To trump. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. ronfle; cf. It. ronfa, Pg. rufa, rifa. ] (Card Playing) (a) A game similar to whist, and the predecessor of it. Nares. (b) The act of trumping, especially when one has no card of the suit led. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Ruffed p. pr. & vb. n. Ruffing. ] 1. To ruffle; to disorder. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

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

3. (Hawking) To hit, as the prey, without fixing it. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Card Playing) To play a trump card at bridge; as, he ruffed his partner's ace. [ PJC ]

{ } n. [ OE. ruffe. ] (Zool.) A small freshwater European perch (Acerina vulgaris); -- called also pope, blacktail, and stone perch, or striped perch. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Furnished with a ruff. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ruffed grouse (Zool.), a North American grouse (Bonasa umbellus) common in the wooded districts of the Northern United States. The male has a ruff of brown or black feathers on each side of the neck, and is noted for the loud drumming sound he makes during the breeding season. Called also tippet grouse, partridge, birch partridge, pheasant, drummer, and white-flesher. --
ruffed lemur (Zool.), a species of lemur (lemur varius) having a conspicuous ruff on the sides of the head. Its color is varied with black and white. Called also ruffed maucaco. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous; as, ruffian rage. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. rufien, OF. ruffien, ruffian, pimp, libertine, rake; cf. Pr. & Sp. rufian, It. ruffiano; all perhaps of German or Dutch origin; cf. G. raufen to pluck, scuffle, fight, OD. roffen to pander. Cf. Ruffle to grow turbulent. ] 1. A pimp; a pander; also, a paramour. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He [ her husband ] is no sooner abroad than she is instantly at home, reveling with her ruffians. Bp. Reynolds. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A boisterous, cruel, brutal fellow; a desperate fellow ready for murderous or cruel deeds; a cutthroat. [ 1913 Webster ]

Wilt thou on thy deathbed play the ruffian? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence: A tough, lawless or bullying person. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult. [ R. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Ruffians, collectively; a body of ruffians. “The vilest ruffianage.” Sir F. Palgrave. [ 1913 Webster ]