Ruffle

  • 1Ruffle — Ruf fle, v. 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.… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2Ruffle — Ruf fle, n. [See {Ruffle}, v. t. & i.] 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. [1913 Webster] 2. A state of being… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3Ruffle — Ruf fle, v. 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.] [1913 Webster] The night comes on, and the… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 4ruffle — ruffle1 [ruf′əl] vt. ruffled, ruffling [ME ruffelen < ON or MLowG, as in LowG, ON hrufla, to scratch] 1. to take away the smoothness of; wrinkle; ripple [wind ruffling the water] 2. to gather into ruffles 3. to put ruffles on as trimming 4 …

    English World dictionary

  • 5ruffle — [v1] mess up cockle, confuse, crease, crinkle, crumple, crush, derange, disarrange, discompose, dishevel, disorder, pucker, purse, rifle, rumple, tangle, tousle, wrinkle; concept 158 Ant. smooth ruffle [v2] upset, irritate abrade, agitate, anger …

    New thesaurus

  • 6ruffle — index aggravate (annoy), agitate (shake up), annoy, badger, discompose, disconcert, disorient …

    Law dictionary

  • 7ruffle — ► VERB 1) make or become disarranged; disrupt the smooth surface of. 2) disconcert or upset the composure of. 3) (ruffled) ornamented with or gathered into a frill. ► NOUN ▪ an ornamental gathered frill on a garment. ORIGIN of unknown origin …

    English terms dictionary

  • 8ruffle — [[t]rʌ̱f(ə)l[/t]] ruffles, ruffling, ruffled 1) VERB If you ruffle someone s hair, you move your hand backwards and forwards through it as a way of showing your affection towards them. [V n] Don t let that get you down, he said ruffling Ben s… …

    English dictionary

  • 9ruffle — I UK [ˈrʌf(ə)l] / US verb [transitive] Word forms ruffle : present tense I/you/we/they ruffle he/she/it ruffles present participle ruffling past tense ruffled past participle ruffled 1) to move something so that it is no longer smooth or even Don …

    English dictionary

  • 10ruffle — ruf|fle1 [ rʌfl ] verb transitive 1. ) to move something so that it is no longer smooth or even: Don t ruffle the tablecloth I just ironed it. a ) to touch someone s hair in a friendly way: She kissed him on the forehead and ruffled his hair. b ) …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English