'Ruff' definitions:

Definition of 'ruff'

From: WordNet
noun
An external body part consisting of feathers or hair about the neck of a bird or other animal [syn: frill, ruff]
noun
A high tight collar [syn: choker, ruff, ruffle, neck ruff]
noun
Common Eurasian sandpiper; the male has an erectile neck ruff in breeding season [syn: ruff, Philomachus pugnax]
noun
(card games) the act of taking a trick with a trump when unable to follow suit [syn: ruff, trumping]
verb
Play a trump [syn: trump, ruff]

Definition of 'Ruff'

From: GCIDE
  • Ruff \Ruff\, 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] Ruff

Definition of 'Ruff'

From: GCIDE
  • Ruff \Ruff\ (r[u^]f), 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]

Definition of 'Ruff'

From: GCIDE
  • Ruff \Ruff\, v. i. & t. (Card Playing) To trump. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Ruff'

From: GCIDE
  • Ruff \Ruff\, n. [Of uncertain origin: cf. Icel. r[=u]finn rough, uncombed, Pr. ruf rude, rough, Sp. rufo frizzed, crisp, curled, G. raufen to pluck, fight, rupfen to pluck, pull, E. rough. [root]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]

Definition of 'Ruff'

From: GCIDE

Definition of 'ruff'

From: GCIDE
  • Trump \Trump\, n. [A corruption of triumph, F. triomphe. See Triumph, and cf. Trump a trumpet.]
  • 1. A winning card; one of a particular suit (usually determined by chance for each deal) any card of which takes any card of the other suits. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. An old game with cards, nearly the same as whist; -- called also ruff. --Decker. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A good fellow; an excellent person. [Slang] [1913 Webster]
  • Alfred is a trump, I think you say. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster]
  • To put to one's trumps, or To put on one's trumps, to force to the last expedient, or to the utmost exertion. [1913 Webster]
  • But when kings come so low as to fawn upon philosophy, which before they neither valued nor understood, it is a sign that fails not, they are then put to their last trump. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • Put the housekeeper to her trumps to accommodate them. --W. Irving. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'ruff'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Synonyms of 'ruff'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Ruff'