ruffian
Use Ruffian in a sentence
i noun
1.
a tough, lawless person; roughneck; bully.
adjective
2.
Also, ruf·fi·an·ly. tough; lawless; brutal.
Origin:
1525–35; < Middle French < Italian ruffiano, perhaps < Langobardic *hruf scurf + Italian -ano -an
1525–35; < Middle French < Italian ruffiano, perhaps < Langobardic *hruf scurf + Italian -ano -an
Synonyms
1. brute, tough, knave, rogue, blackguard.
1. brute, tough, knave, rogue, blackguard.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To ruffian
Collins
World English Dictionary
ruffian (ˈrʌfɪən) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| a violent or lawless person; hoodlum or villain | |
| [C16: from Old French rufien, from Italian ruffiano, perhaps related to Langobardic hruf scurf, scabbiness] | |
| 'ruffianism | |
| —n | |
| 'ruffianly | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Ruffian
is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
ruffian
1531, from M.Fr. rufian "a pimp," from It. ruffiano "a pander, pimp," of uncertain origin, perhaps from a Gmc. source related to rough (q.v.), but Du. roffiaan, Ger. Ruffian are said to be from French. Eng. meaning may have been influenced by similarity of sound to rough.
The Romanic words (e.g. M.L. ruffianus, Prov. rufian, Catalan rufia, Sp. rufian) preserve the sense of "protector or owner of whores." For sense evolution in Eng., cf. bully.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
The voice came from an unshaven ruffian holding court at two tables dragged together at the back of the canteen.
My first impulse was to throttle the old ruffian and make for the open air.
He has also been characterized as a whiskey runner, card player and ruffian.
The ruffian was cut to pieces upon the spot, but first killed another of the courtiers.
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