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ruffle

 - 6 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.
Ruffle
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Ruffle
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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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Word Origin & History

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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