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ruffle - 9 dictionary results
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ruf⋅fle

1  [ruhf-uhl] verb, -fled, -fling, noun
Use ruffle in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to destroy the smoothness or evenness of: The wind ruffled the sand.
2. to erect (the feathers), as a bird in anger.
3. to disturb, vex, or irritate: to be ruffled by a perceived slight.
4. to turn (the pages of a book) rapidly.
5. to pass (cards) through the fingers rapidly in shuffling.
6. to draw up (cloth, lace, etc.) into a ruffle by gathering along one edge.
–verb (used without object)
7. to be or become ruffled; undulate; flutter: Flags ruffle in the wind.
8. to be or become vexed or irritated.
9. to put on airs; swagger.
–noun
10. a break in the smoothness or evenness of some surface; undulation.
11. a strip of cloth, lace, etc., drawn up by gathering along one edge and used as a trimming on a dress, blouse, etc.
12. some object resembling this, as the ruff of a bird.
13. disturbance or vexation; annoyance; irritation: It is impossible to live without some daily ruffles to our composure.
14. a disturbed state of mind; perturbation.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME ruffelen (v.); c. LG ruffelen to crumple, rumple; cf. ON hruffa to scratch

Related forms:
ruffly, adjective
ruffler, noun

Synonyms:
1. disarrange, disorder, wrinkle, rumple. 3. upset, annoy, agitate. 10. perturbation, flurry, agitation. 11. frill, ruff.

Antonyms:
1. smooth, arrange, order. 3. soothe, compose. 13. tranquillity.

ruf⋅fle

2  [ruhf-uhl] noun, verb, -fled, -fling.
–noun
1. a low, continuous beating of a drum.
–verb (used with object)
2. to beat (a drum) in this manner.
Origin:
1715–25; archaic ruff in same sense (perh. imit.) + -le
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To ruffle
ruf·fle 1   (rŭf'əl)   
n.  
  1. A strip of frilled or closely pleated fabric used for trimming or decoration.
  2. A ruff on a bird.
    1. A ruckus or fray.
    2. Annoyance; vexation.
  4. An irregularity or a slight disturbance of a surface.
v.   ruf·fled, ruf·fling, ruf·fles

v.   tr.
  1. To disturb the smoothness or regularity of; ripple.
  2. To pleat or gather (fabric) into a ruffle.
  3. To erect (the feathers). Used of birds.
  4. To discompose; fluster: a book that is bound to ruffle some people.
  5. To flip through (the pages of a book).
  6. To shuffle (cards).
v.   intr.
  1. To become irregular or rough.
  2. To flutter.
  3. To become flustered.

[From Middle English ruffelen, to roughen.]
ruf·fle 2   (rŭf'əl)   
n.  A low continuous beating of a drum that is not as loud as a roll. Also called ruff4.
tr.v.   ruf·fled, ruf·fling, ruf·fles
To beat a ruffle on (a drum).

[Probably from frequentative of ruff4.]
ruf·fle 3   (rŭf'əl)   
intr.v.   ruf·fled, ruf·fling, ruf·fles
To behave arrogantly or roughly; swagger.

[Middle English ruffelen, to quarrel.]
ruf'fler n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Ruffle

Ruf"fle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ruffled; p. pr. & vb. n. Ruffling.] [From Ruff a plaited collar, a drum beat, a tumult: cf. OD. ruyffelen to wrinkle.]

1. To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle.

2. To furnish with ruffles; as, to ruffle a shirt.

3. To oughen or disturb the surface of; to make uneven by agitation or commotion.

The fantastic revelries . . . that so often ruffled the placid bosom of the Nile. --I. Taylor.

She smoothed the ruffled seas. --Dryden.

4. To erect in a ruff, as feathers.

[the swan] ruffles her pure cold plume. --Tennyson.

5. (Mil.) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.

6. To discompose; to agitate; to disturb.

These ruffle the tranquillity of the mind. --Sir W. Hamilton.

But, ever after, the small violence done Rankled in him and ruffled all his heart. --Tennyson.

7. To throw into disorder or confusion.

Where best He might the ruffled foe infest. --Hudibras.

8. To throw together in a disorderly manner. [R.]

I ruffled up falen leaves in heap. --Chapman

To ruffle the feathers of, to exite the resentment of; to irritate.

Ruffle

Ruf"fle\, v. i. [Perhaps of different origin from ruffle to wrinkle; cf. OD. roffeln, roffen, to pander, LG. raffein, Dan. ruffer a pimp. Cf. Rufflan.]

1. To grow rough, boisterous, or turbulent. [R.]

The night comes on, and the bleak winds Do sorely ruffle. --Shak.

2. To become disordered; to play loosely; to flutter.

On his right shoulder his thick mane reclined, Ruffles at speed, and dances in the wind. --Dryden.

3. To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on airs; to swagger.

They would ruffle with jurors. --Bacon.

Gallants who ruffled in silk and embroidery. --Sir W. Scott.

Ruffle

Ruf"fle\, n. [See Ruffle, v. t. & i.]

1. That which is ruffled; specifically, a strip of lace, cambric, or other fine cloth, plaited or gathered on one edge or in the middle, and used as a trimming; a frill.

2. A state of being ruffled or disturbed; disturbance; agitation; commotion; as, to put the mind in a ruffle.

3. (Mil.) A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a roll; -- called also ruff. --H. L. Scott.

4. (Zo["o]l.) The connected series of large egg capsules, or o["o]thec[ae], of any one of several species of American marine gastropods of the genus Fulgur. See O["o]theca.

Ruffle of a boot, the top turned down, and scalloped or plaited. --Halliwell.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : ruffle
Spanish: alborotar, despeinar; encrespar, erizar,
German: kräuseln,sträuben,
Japanese: かきみだす
More Translations »

ruffle  (v.)
c.1300, "to disturb the smoothness of," perhaps from O.N. hrufla "to scratch," or Low Ger. ruffelen "to wrinkle, curl," both of unknown origin. Meaning "disarrange" (hair or feathers) first recorded 1490; sense of "annoy, distract" is from 1658. The noun meaning "ornamental frill" is from 1707.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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