gruff
11gruff — 1530s, coarse, coarse grained, from M.Du. or M.L.G. grof coarse (in quality), thick, large, of uncertain origin, regarded by some as related to O.E. hreof, O.N. hrjufr rough, scabby, with Germanic completive prefix ga . Sense of rough, surly… …
12gruff — crusty, brusque, blunt, curt, *bluff Analogous words: surly, morose, *sullen, saturnine, crabbed, dour: churlish, boorish (see under BOOR): truculent, *fierce Contrasted words: *suave, urbane, bland, smooth: unctuous, oily, slick, soapy, * …
13gruff — ► ADJECTIVE 1) (of a voice) rough and low in pitch. 2) abrupt or taciturn in manner. DERIVATIVES gruffly adverb gruffness noun. ORIGIN from Flemish and Dutch grof coarse, rude …
14gruff — [gruf] adj. [< Du grof, akin to Ger grob, coarse, surly < OHG gerob < ge , intens. + base akin to OE hreof, rough, scabby < IE base * kreup : see GRAUPEL] 1. rough or surly in manner or speech; brusquely rude 2. harsh and throaty;… …
15gruff — [[t]grʌ̱f[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED A gruff voice sounds low and rough. He picked up the phone expecting to hear the chairman s gruff voice. Derived words: gruffly ADV GRADED Well, never mind now, he said gruffly and turned to Robbie. 2) ADJ GRADED If… …
16gruff — UK [ɡrʌf] / US adjective Word forms gruff : adjective gruff comparative gruffer superlative gruffest 1) rude and unfriendly Don t let his gruff manner put you off. 2) a gruff voice has a rough low sound Derived word: gruffly adverb …
17gruff — [[t]grʌf[/t]] adj. er, est 1) low and harsh; hoarse: a gruff voice[/ex] 2) rough, brusque, or surly: a gruff manner[/ex] • Etymology: 1525–35; < MD grof coarse, c. OHG grob gruff′ly, adv. gruff′ness, n …
18gruff — I. adjective Etymology: Dutch grof; akin to Old High German grob coarse, hruf scurf more at dandruff Date: 1691 1. rough, brusque, or stern in manner, speech, or aspect < a gruff reply > 2. being deep and harsh ; hoarse < a gruff voice > …
19gruff — adjective 1) a gruff reply his gruff exterior Syn: abrupt, brusque, curt, short, blunt, bluff, no nonsense; laconic, taciturn; surly, churlish, grumpy, crotchety, curmudgeonly, crabby …
20gruff — gruffish, adj. gruffly, adv. gruffness, n. /gruf/, adj., gruffer, gruffest. 1. low and harsh; hoarse: a gruff voice. 2. rough, brusque, or surly: a gruff manner. [1525 35; < MD grof coarse; c. G grob] Syn. 2. curt …
