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Webster 1913 Edition

Ruffian

Ruf′fian

(rŭf′yan or rŭf′fĭ-an; 277)
,
Noun.
[F.
rufien
, OF.
ruffien
,
ruffian
, pimp, libertine, rake; cf. Pr. & Sp.
rufian
, It.
ruffiano
; all perhaps of German or Dutch origin; cf. G.
raufen
to pluck, scuffle, fight, OD.
roffen
to pander. Cf.
Ruffle
to grow turbulent.]
1.
A pimp; a pander; also, a paramour.
[Obs.]
He [her husband] is no sooner abroad than she is instantly at home, reveling with her
ruffians
.
Bp. Reynolds.
2.
A boisterous, cruel, brutal fellow; a desperate fellow ready for murderous or cruel deeds; a cutthroat.
Wilt thou on thy deathbed play the
ruffian
?
Shakespeare
2.
Hence:
A tough, lawless or bullying person.

Ruf′fian

,
Adj.
Brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous;
as,
ruffian
rage
.

Ruf′fian

,
Verb.
I.
To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult.
[R.]
Shak.

Webster 1828 Edition

Ruffian

RUF'FIAN

, n.
A boisterous, brutal fellow; a fellow ready for any desperate crime; a robber; a cut-throat; a murderer.

RUF'FIAN

,
Adj.
Brutal; savagely boisterous; as ruffian rage.

RUF'FIAN

,
Verb.
I.
To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult.

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