ruffle
1
[ ruhf-uhl ]
/ ˈrʌf əl /
verb (used with object), ruf·fled, ruf·fling.
verb (used without object), ruf·fled, ruf·fling.
noun
Origin of ruffle
1
1250–1300; Middle English
ruffelen (v.); cognate with Low German
ruffelen to crumple, rumple; compare Old Norse
hruffa to scratch
SYNONYMS FOR ruffle
ANTONYMS FOR ruffle
OTHER WORDS FROM ruffle
ruf·fly, adjective ruf·fler, nounWords nearby ruffle
Definition for ruffle (2 of 2)
ruffle
2
[ ruhf-uh l ]
/ ˈrʌf əl /
noun
a low, continuous beating of a drum.
verb (used with object), ruf·fled, ruf·fling.
to beat (a drum) in this manner.
Origin of ruffle
2
1715–25; archaic
ruff in same sense (perhaps imitative) +
-le
Example sentences from the Web for ruffle
British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (1 of 3)
ruffle
1
/ (ˈrʌfəl) /
verb
noun
Word Origin for ruffle
C13: of Germanic origin; compare Middle Low German
ruffelen to crumple, Old Norse
hrufla to scratch
British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (2 of 3)
ruffle
2
/ (ˈrʌfəl) /
noun
a low continuous drumbeat
verb
(tr)
to beat (a drum) with a low repetitive beat
Word Origin for ruffle
C18: from earlier
ruff, of imitative origin
British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (3 of 3)
ruffle
3
/ (ˈrʌfəl) /
verb
(intr) archaic
to behave riotously or arrogantly; swagger
Word Origin for ruffle
C15: of obscure origin