ruff

¹

[ ruhf ]

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. Compare reeve ³.
5. Alaska and Northern Canada. a fringe of fur around the edge of a parka hood or along the edges of a jacket.

verb (used with object)

1. tease ( def 5 ).

ruff

²

[ ruhf ]

noun

1. an act or instance of trumping when one cannot follow suit.
2. an old game of cards, resembling whist.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to trump when unable to follow suit.

ruff

³

[ ruhf ]

noun

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

ruff

¹

/ rʌf /

noun

1. another word for trump 1
2. an old card game similar to whist

verb

1. cards another word for trump 1

ruff

²

/ rʌf /

noun

1. another name for roughie 1

ruff

³

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈruffˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• rufflike adjective

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruff¹

C16: from Old French roffle ; perhaps changed from Italian trionfa trump ¹

Origin of ruff²

C16: back formation from ruffle ¹

Example Sentences

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.

From Singularity Hub 

And then Joan, dressed in a black sparkly dressing gown with a feather ruff—literally—rang the dinner gong.

From The Daily Beast

Decked in a $850 black dress with a white ruff and cuffs, however, Brooks dictated a more modest tone.

From The Daily Beast

The 40-year-old Voit studied at the Dusseldorf Academy in Germany with Thomas Ruff, a disciple of Bernd and Hilla Becher.

From The Daily Beast

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.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs Turner, at her execution, was arrayed in a ruff stiffened with the material for the invention of which she was so famous.

From Project Gutenberg

The portrait was that of a man in middle life, handsomely dressed in black velvet, with hat and ruff.

From Project Gutenberg

Punch describes it as the same back and front, with a kind of ruff below the waist which sticks out stiffly all round.

From Project Gutenberg

Bobo's red eyes expanded and the ruff on the back of his neck began to rise.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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