Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Ruffle
Ruf′fle
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Ruffled
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Ruffling
.] [From
Ruff
a plaited collar, a drum beat, a tumult: cf. OD. ruyffelen
to wrinkle.] 1.
To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle.
2.
To furnish with ruffles;
as, to
. ruffle
a shirt3.
To oughen or disturb the surface of; to make uneven by agitation or commotion.
The fantastic revelries . . . that so often
ruffled
the placid bosom of the Nile. I. Taylor.
She smoothed the
ruffled
seas. Dryden.
4.
To erect in a ruff, as feathers.
[the swan]
ruffles
her pure cold plume. Tennyson.
5.
(Mil.)
To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.
6.
To discompose; to agitate; to disturb.
These
ruffle
the tranquillity of the mind. Sir W. Hamilton.
But, ever after, the small violence done
Rankled in him and
Rankled in him and
ruffled
all his heart. Tennyson.
7.
To throw into disorder or confusion.
Where best
He might the
He might the
ruffled
foe infest. Hudibras.
8.
To throw together in a disorderly manner.
[R.]
I
ruffled
up falen leaves in heap. Chapman
To ruffle the feathers of
, to exite the resentment of; to irritate.
Ruf′fle
,Verb.
I.
[Perhaps of different origin from
ruffle
to wrinkle; cf. OD. roffeln
, roffen
, to pander, LG. raffein
, Dan. ruffer
a pimp. Cf. Rufflan
.] 1.
To grow rough, boisterous, or turbulent.
[R.]
The night comes on, and the bleak winds
Do sorely
Do sorely
ruffle
. Shakespeare
2.
To become disordered; to play loosely; to flutter.
On his right shoulder his thick mane reclined,
Ruffles
at speed, and dances in the wind. Dryden.
3.
To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on airs; to swagger.
They would
ruffle
with jurors. Bacon.
Gallants who
ruffled
in silk and embroidery. Sir W. Scott.
1.
That which is ruffled; specifically, a strip of lace, cambric, or other fine cloth, plaited or gathered on one edge or in the middle, and used as a trimming; a frill.
2.
A state of being ruffled or disturbed; disturbance; agitation; commotion;
as, to put the mind in a
. ruffle
3.
(Mil.)
A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a roll; – called also
ruff
. H. L. Scott.
4.
(Zool.)
The connected series of large egg capsules, or oothecae, of any one of several species of American marine gastropods of the genus
Fulgur
. See Ootheca
. Ruffle of a boot
, the top turned down, and scalloped or plaited.
Halliwell.
Webster 1828 Edition
Ruffle
RUF'FLE
, v.t.1.
Properly, to wrinkle; to draw or contract into wrinkles, open plaits or folds.2.
To disorder by disturbing a smooth surface; to make uneven by agitation; as, to ruffle the sea or a lake.She smooth'd the ruffl'd seas.
3.
To discompose by disturbing a calm state of; to agitate; to disturb; as, to ruffle the mind; to ruffle the passions or the temper. It expresses less than fret and vex.4.
To throw into disorder or confusion.- Where best he might the ruffl'd foe invest.
5.
To throw together in a disorderly manner.I ruffl'd up fall'n leaves in heap. [Unusual.]
6.
To furnish with ruffles; as, to ruffle a shirt.RUF'FLE
, v.i.1.
To grow rough or turbulent; as, the winds ruffle.2.
To play loosely; to flutter.On his right shoulder his thick mane reclin'd, ruffles at speed and dances in the wind.
3.
To be rough; to jar; to be contention.They would ruffle with jurors. Obs.
RUF'FLE
,Noun.
1.
A strip of plaited cambric or other fine cloth attached to some border of a garment, as to the wristband or bosom. That at the bosom is sometimes called by the English, a frill.2.
Disturbance; agitation; commotion; as, to put the mind or temper in a ruffle.