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ruffle
1[ ruhf-uhl ]
/ ˈrʌf əl /
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verb (used with object), ruf·fled, ruf·fling.
verb (used without object), ruf·fled, ruf·fling.
noun
OTHER WORDS FOR ruffle
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Origin of ruffle
1First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English verb ruffelen, ruflen; origin uncertain; perhaps cognate with Low German ruffelen “to crumple, rumple,” Old Norse hruffa “to scratch”
OTHER WORDS FROM ruffle
ruffly, adjectiveruffler, nounWords nearby ruffle
Other definitions for ruffle (2 of 2)
ruffle2
[ ruhf-uhl ]
/ ˈrʌf əl /
noun
a low, continuous beating of a drum.
verb (used with object), ruf·fled, ruf·fling.
to beat (a drum) in this manner.
Origin of ruffle
2First recorded in 1690–1700; archaic ruff in same sense (perhaps imitative) + -le
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use ruffle in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (1 of 3)
ruffle1
/ (ˈrʌfəl) /
verb
noun
Word Origin for ruffle
C13: of Germanic origin; compare Middle Low German ruffelen to crumple, Old Norse hrufla to scratch
British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (2 of 3)
ruffle2
/ (ˈrʌfəl) /
noun
a low continuous drumbeat
verb
(tr) to beat (a drum) with a low repetitive beat
Word Origin for ruffle
C18: from earlier ruff, of imitative origin
British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (3 of 3)
ruffle3
/ (ˈrʌfəl) /
verb
(intr) archaic to behave riotously or arrogantly; swagger
Word Origin for ruffle
C15: of obscure origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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