Nearby Words
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.
EXPANDto pass (cards) through the fingers rapidly in shuffling.
6.
COLLAPSEto 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.
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Ruffle
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is dearth. Does it mean:
| of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a doctrine; asserting opinions in an arrogant manner |
| an inadequate supply; scarcity or lack; scarcity and dearness of food |
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.
Example Sentences
- Their revelation appears unlikely to ruffle diplomatic relations.
- New research suggests the cuckoo has another trick it uses to ruffle its victims' feathers.
- They ruffle their feathers in it to rid themselves of parasites.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To ruffle
Collins
World English Dictionary
| ruffle1 (ˈrʌfəl) | |
| —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] | |
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
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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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