ruff
1a neckpiece or collar of lace, lawn, or the like, gathered or drawn into deep, full, regular folds, worn in the 16th and 17th centuries.
something resembling such a piece in form or position.
a collar, or set of lengthened or specially marked hairs or feathers, on the neck of an animal.
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.: Compare reeve3.
Alaska and Northern Canada. a fringe of fur around the edge of a parka hood or along the edges of a jacket.
Origin of ruff
1Other words from ruff
- rufflike, adjective
Words that may be confused with ruff
- rough, ruff
Words Nearby ruff
Other definitions for ruff (2 of 3)
an act or instance of trumping when one cannot follow suit.
an old game of cards, resembling whist.
to trump when unable to follow suit.
Origin of ruff
2Other definitions for ruff (3 of 3)
a small European freshwater fish, Acerina cernua, of the perch family.
Origin of ruff
3Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use ruff in a sentence
As dogs can’t give consent to studies, the project is especially careful to iron out ruff edges, informing owners of the time commitment and risks.
The Dog Aging Project Will Study Longevity in 60,000 Pups | Shelly Fan | February 8, 2022 | Singularity HubAnd then Joan, dressed in a black sparkly dressing gown with a feather ruff—literally—rang the dinner gong.
Decked in a $850 black dress with a white ruff and cuffs, however, Brooks dictated a more modest tone.
Rebekah Brooks Answers Leveson Inquiry, But Could Regret It Later | Peter Jukes | May 12, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThe 40-year-old Voit studied at the Dusseldorf Academy in Germany with Thomas ruff, a disciple of Bernd and Hilla Becher.
His ruff is an ornament and a defence; he loses both it and his red grape with the passing of his fighting and loving season.
The Natural Philosophy of Love | Remy de Gourmont
Mrs Turner, at her execution, was arrayed in a ruff stiffened with the material for the invention of which she was so famous.
Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 442 | VariousThe portrait was that of a man in middle life, handsomely dressed in black velvet, with hat and ruff.
Three Margarets | Laura E. RichardsPunch describes it as the same back and front, with a kind of ruff below the waist which sticks out stiffly all round.
Mr. Punch's History of Modern England Vol. IV of IV. | Charles L. GravesBobo's red eyes expanded and the ruff on the back of his neck began to rise.
Six Little Bunkers at Mammy June's | Laura Lee Hope
British Dictionary definitions for ruff (1 of 3)
/ (rʌf) /
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
zoology a natural growth of long or coloured hair or feathers around the necks of certain animals or birds
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
the male of this bird: Compare reeve 3
Origin of ruff
1Derived forms of ruff
- rufflike, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for ruff (2 of 3)
/ (rʌf) /
cards another word for trump 1 (def. 4)
Origin of ruff
2British Dictionary definitions for ruff (3 of 3)
/ (rʌf) /
another name for roughie 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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