Free Translator Free Translator
Translators Dictionaries Courses Other
Home
English Dictionary      examples: 'day', 'get rid of', 'New York Bay'




Ruffle   /rˈəfəl/   Listen
noun
Ruffle  n.  
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.
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.


verb
Ruffle  v. t.  (past & past part. ruffled; pres. part. ruffling)  
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 shirt.
3.
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." "She smoothed the ruffled seas."
4.
To erect in a ruff, as feathers. "(the swan) ruffles her pure cold plume."
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." "But, ever after, the small violence done Rankled in him and ruffled all his heart."
7.
To throw into disorder or confusion. "Where best He might the ruffled foe infest."
8.
To throw together in a disorderly manner. (R.) "I ruffled up falen leaves in heap."
To ruffle the feathers of, to exite the resentment of; to irritate.


Ruffle  v. i.  
1.
To grow rough, boisterous, or turbulent. (R.) "The night comes on, and the bleak winds Do sorely ruffle."
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."
3.
To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on airs; to swagger. "They would ruffle with jurors." "Gallants who ruffled in silk and embroidery."





Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48


Advanced search
     Find words:
Starting with
Ending with
Containing
Matching a pattern  

Synonyms
Antonyms
Quotes
Words linked to  

only single words


Share |




"Ruffle" Quotes from Famous Books



... such a dear little innocent baby. Of course, I can quite understand. And does she suppose I'll ruffle her pretty little feathers? No, not I. I'd rather invent a new cradle song for you, ...
— A Sweet Girl Graduate • Mrs. L.T. Meade
... more. He did not wish to ruffle his friend's temper, to be sent to the devil and told that his advice was not wanted. A little tact was necessary. But Corley's brow was soon smooth again. His thoughts were ...
— Dubliners • James Joyce
... presence, yet to have left her would have been worse than death: How fondly did my eyes devour whatever they could gaze on without being perceived! the flowers on her gown, the point of her pretty foot, the interval of a round white arm that appeared between her glove and ruffle, the least part of her neck, each object increased the force of all the rest, and added to the infatuation. Gazing thus on what was to be seen, and even more than was to be seen, my sight became confused, my chest seemed contracted, respiration was every moment more painful. I had the utmost difficulty ...
— The Confessions of J. J. Rousseau, Complete • Jean Jacques Rousseau
... the favourite of the gods—shall the guest of Hypatia—earn his breakfast, while I have an obol to share with him? Base thought! Youth! I have wronged you. Unphilosophically I allowed, yesterday morning, envy to ruffle the ocean of my intellect. We are now friends and brothers, in hatred to ...
— Hypatia - or, New Foes with an Old Face • Charles Kingsley
... street there comes A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums, A flash of color beneath the sky: Hats off! The ...
— Poems Teachers Ask For • Various


More quotes...


Copyright © 2024 Free-Translator.com