Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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noun
Any gathered or curled strip of fabric added as trim or decoration.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Disturbance; agitation; commotion.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A low, vibrating beat of a drum, quieter than a roll; a ruff.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: government, military, politics, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The connected series of large egg capsules, or oothecae, of several species of American marine gastropods of the genus Fulgur.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: biology, natural-sciences, zoology
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To make a ruffle in; to curl or flute, as an edge of fabric.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To disturb; especially, to cause to flutter.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Synonyms: perturb, trouble, unsettle, agitate, freak, sting, bother, bring down, discompose, disconcert, enturbulate, disturb, mortify, put out, ruffle, throw off balance, upset, flurry
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To grow rough, boisterous, or turbulent.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To become disordered; to play loosely; to flutter.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on airs; to swagger.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To erect in a ruff, as feathers.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: government, military, politics, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To throw together in a disorderly manner.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
a noisy fight
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: affray, disturbance, fray
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: fight, fighting, combat, scrap
noun
a high tight collar
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: choker, ruff, neck ruff
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: collar, neckband
Narrower terms: fraise
noun
a strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: frill, flounce, furbelow
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: adornment
Narrower terms: goffer, gauffer, jabot, peplum
verb
pleat or gather into a ruffle
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: pleat
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: fold, fold up, turn up
verb
disturb the smoothness of
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: ruffle up, rumple, mess up
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: disarrange
verb
erect or fluff up
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: fluff
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: loosen
verb
mix so as to make a random order or arrangement
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: shuffle, mix
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: manipulate
Narrower terms: reshuffle, riffle, cut
verb
twitch or flutter
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: flick, riffle
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: move, displace
verb
trouble or vex
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: annoy, rag, get to, bother, get at, irritate, rile, nark, nettle, gravel, vex, chafe, devil
verb
discompose
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: fluster
verb
to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: tittup, swagger, prance, strut, sashay, cock
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: walk
verb
stir up (water) so as to form ripples
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: ripple, riffle, cockle, undulate
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: flow, flux
History
From Middle English ruffelen, perhaps from Old Norse hrufla (“to graze, scratch”) or Middle Low German ruffelen (“to wrinkle, curl”). Further origin unknown. Related to Middle Dutch ruyffelen, German Low German ruffeln. See English ruff.
Across languages
54 source translations are retained for this English entry.
