Nearby Words

ruffler

[ruhf-uhl] Origin

ruf·fle

1[ruhf-uhl] verb, -fled, -fling, noun
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.
EXPAND
6.
to draw up (cloth, lace, etc.) into a ruffle by gathering along one edge.
COLLAPSE
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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Ruffler is always a great word to know.
So is ort. Does it mean:
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
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

ruf·fly, adjective
ruf·fler, noun


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


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

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
ruffler (ˈrʌflə)
 
n
1.  a person or thing that ruffles
2.  an attachment on a sewing machine used for making frills

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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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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