ruff

¹ American  

[ruhf] / rʌf /

noun

1. a neckpiece or collar of lace, lawn, or the like, gathered or drawn into deep, full, regular folds, worn in the 16th and 17th centuries.

2. something resembling such a piece in form or position.

3. a collar, or set of lengthened or specially marked hairs or feathers, on the neck of an animal.

4. Ornithology. a species of European and Asian sandpiper, Philomachus pugnax, the male of which has a large erectile ruff of feathers during the breeding season.

5. Alaska and Northern Canada. a fringe of fur around the edge of a parka hood or along the edges of a jacket.

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verb (used with object)

1. tease.

ruff ² American  

[ruhf] / rʌf /

noun

1. an act or instance of trumping when one cannot follow suit.

2. an old game of cards, resembling whist.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to trump when unable to follow suit.

ruff ³ American  

[ruhf] / rʌf /

noun

1. a small European freshwater fish, Acerina cernua, of the perch family.

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ruff ¹ British  

/ rʌf /

noun

1. a circular pleated, gathered, or fluted collar of lawn, muslin, etc, often starched or wired, worn by both men and women in the 16th and 17th centuries

2. zoology a natural growth of long or coloured hair or feathers around the necks of certain animals or birds

3. 1. an Old World shore bird, Philomachus pugnax , the male of which has a large erectile ruff of feathers in the breeding season: family Scolopacidae (sandpipers, etc), order Charadriiformes

   2. the male of this bird Compare reeve 3

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ruff ² British  

/ rʌf /

noun

1. another word for trump 1

2. an old card game similar to whist

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verb

1. cards another word for trump 1

ruff ³ British  

/ rʌf /

noun

1. another name for roughie 1

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Other Word Forms

• rufflike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of ruff¹

First recorded in 1515–25; perhaps back formation from ruffle ¹

Origin of ruff²

First recorded in 1580–90; probably from French ro(u)ffle, from Old French romfle, ronfle, from Italian ronfa a card game, possibly a shortening of trionfo triumph ( def. ), or from German Trumpf trump ¹

Origin of ruff³

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English roffe, ruffe, rowe; further origin uncertain; perhaps special use of rough

Explanation

A ruff is a high, frilly collar that's worn snugly around the neck, or a similar frill of feathers or fur around an animal's neck. The Elizabethans are famous for wearing ruffs. If you wear a ruff today, you're probably acting in a Shakespeare play or a movie about sixteenth century England. Some religious figures, like bishops and choir members, sometimes also wear ruffs. They're more common in animals, from dogs to the bird that's actually called a Ruff, described as having a "large collar of ornamental feathers." Ruff is believed to be a shortened form of ruffle.

Example Sentences

The comedian arrived dressed as Queen Elizabeth I, in a white cape and gown with a ruff around his neck.

From BBC • May 12, 2024

It can be ruff for some postal workers — especially when they’re dealing with dogs in California.

From Washington Times • Jun. 5, 2023

Soften the edges of the planting with a ruff of Japanese forest grass.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 1, 2023

I thought an Elizabethan ruff would be really cool.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2023

“Sick leave and pensions?” he said, pushing his head back onto his shoulders and securing it once more with his ruff.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

Related Words

• eyebrow
• fiber
• fur
• grass
• haircut
• hairstyle
• mane
• sideburn
• strand
• wig
• wool