ruffle
Use Ruffle in a sentence
əl 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.
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.
00:10
Ruffle
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is convoluted. Does it mean:
| twisted or coiled; complicated or intricately involved |
| to take without permission or consent; seize; expropriate: |
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; Middle English ruffelen (v.); cognate with Low German ruffelen to crumple, rumple; compare Old Norse hruffa to scratch
1250–1300; Middle English ruffelen (v.); cognate with Low German ruffelen to crumple, rumple; compare Old Norse hruffa to scratch
Related forms
ruf·fly, adjective
ruf·fler, noun
Synonyms
1. disarrange, disorder, wrinkle, rumple. 3. upset, annoy, agitate. 10. perturbation, flurry, agitation. 11. frill, ruff.
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.
1. smooth, arrange, order. 3. soothe, compose. 13. tranquillity.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
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.
Cite This Source
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Link To ruffle
Collins
World English Dictionary
ruffle1 (ˈrʌfəl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to make, be, or become irregular or rumpled: to ruffle a child's hair; a breeze ruffling the water |
| 2. | to annoy, irritate, or be annoyed or irritated |
| 3. | (tr) to make into a ruffle; pleat |
| 4. | (of a bird) to erect (its feathers) in anger, display, etc |
| 5. | (tr) to flick (cards, pages, etc) rapidly with the fingers |
| —n | |
| 6. | an irregular or disturbed surface |
| 7. | a strip of pleated material used for decoration or as a trim |
| 8. | zoology another name for ruff |
| 9. | annoyance or irritation |
| [C13: of Germanic origin; compare Middle Low German ruffelen to crumple, Old Norse hrufla to scratch] | |
| ruffle2 (ˈrʌfəl) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a low continuous drumbeat |
| —vb | |
| 2. | (tr) to beat (a drum) with a low repetitive beat |
| [C18: from earlier ruff, of imitative origin] | |
| ruffle3 (ˈrʌfəl) | |
| —vb | |
| archaic (intr) to behave riotously or arrogantly; swagger | |
| [C15: of obscure origin] | |
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
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
ruffle
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, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
He knew he would ruffle more than a few epaulets, even with the amnesty granted the military in the peace accords.
Heat until oysters are plump and edges begin to ruffle.
Well, here's a call that won't ruffle anyone, and also one that is never disputed.
The vest, cuffs, and ruffle around the bottom of the skirt are of red velvet.
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