The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section R
Chapter 52
Ru`bi*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. rubification.] The act of making red. Howell.
Ru"bi*form (?), a. [L. ruber red + -form.] Having the nature or quality of red; as, the rubiform rays of the sun. [R.] Sir I. newton.
Ru"bi*fy (?), v. t. [Cf. F. rubéfier. See Rubific.] To redden. [R.] "Waters rubifying." Chaucer.
{ Ru*big"i*nose` (?), Ru*big"i*nous (?) }, a. [L. rubiginosus, fr. rubigo, robigo, rust: cf. F. rubigineux.] (Bot.) Having the appearance or color of iron rust; rusty- looking.
||Ru*bi"go (?), n. [L. rubigo, robigo, rust of metals, rust, blight.] ||(bot.) same as Rust, n., 2.
Ru"bin (?), n. [Cf. LL. rubinus, It. rubino. See Ruby.] A ruby. [Obs.] Spenser.
Ru"bi*ous (?), a. [L. rubeus, fr. rubere to be red. See Rouge.] Red; ruddy. [Obs.] Shak.
Ru`bi*re"tin (?), n. [Rubian + Gr. &?; resin.] (Chem.) One of the red dye products extracted from madder root, and probably identical with ruberythrinic acid.
Ru"ble (?), n. [Russ. ruble.] The unit of monetary value in Russia. It is divided into 100 copecks, and in the gold coin of the realm (as in the five and ten ruble pieces) is worth about 77 cents. The silver ruble is a coin worth about 60 cents. [Written also rouble.]
Ru"bric (?), n. [OE. rubriche, OF. rubriche, F. rubrique ( cf. it. rubrica), fr. L. rubrica red earth for coloring, red chalk, the title of a law (because written in red), fr. ruber red. See red.] That part of any work in the early manuscripts and typography which was colored red, to distinguish it from other portions. Hence, specifically: (a) A titlepage, or part of it, especially that giving the date and place of printing; also, the initial letters, etc., when printed in red. (b) (Law books) The title of a statute; -- so called as being anciently written in red letters. Bell. (c) (Liturgies) The directions and rules for the conduct of service, formerly written or printed in red; hence, also, an ecclesiastical or episcopal injunction; -- usually in the plural.
All the clergy in England solemnly pledge themselves to observe the rubrics.
Hook.
(d) Hence, that which is established or settled, as by authority; a thing definitely settled or fixed. Cowper.
Nay, as a duty, it had no place or rubric in human conceptions before Christianity.
De Quincey.
Ru"bric, v. t. To adorn ith red; to redden; to rubricate. [R.] Johnson.
{ Ru"bric (?), Ru"bric*al (?) }, a. 1. Colored in, or marked with, red; placed in rubrics.
What though my name stood rubric on the walls Or plaistered posts, with claps, in capitals?
Pope.
2. Of or pertaining to the rubric or rubrics. "Rubrical eccentricities." C. Kingsley.
Ru"bri*cate (?), a. [L. rubricatus p. p. of rubricare to color red. See Rubric, n.] Marked with red. Sp&?;lmman.
Ru"bri*cate (?), v. t. To mark or distinguished with red; to arrange as in a rubric; to establish in a settled and unchangeable form. Foxe.
A system . . . according to which the thoughts of men were to be classed and rubricated forever after.
Hare.
{ Ru*bri"cian (?), Ru"bri*cist (?) }, n. One skilled in, or tenaciously adhering to, the rubric or rubrics.
Ru*bric"i*ty (?), n. Redness. [R.]
Rub"stone` (?), n. A stone for scouring or rubbing; a whetstone; a rub.
||Ru"bus (?), n. [L.] (Bot.) A genus of rosaceous plants, including the ||raspberry and blackberry.
Ru"by (?), n.; pl. Rubies (#). [F. rubis (cf. Pr. robi), LL. rubinus, robinus, fr. L. rubeus red, reddish, akin to ruber. See Rouge, red.] 1. (Min.) A precious stone of a carmine red color, sometimes verging to violet, or intermediate between carmine and hyacinth red. It is a red crystallized variety of corundum.
Besides the true or Oriental ruby above defined, there are the balas ruby, or ruby spinel, a red variety of spinel, and the rock ruby, a red variety of garnet.
Of rubies, sapphires, and pearles white.
Chaucer.
2. The color of a ruby; carmine red; a red tint.
The natural ruby of your cheeks.
Shak.
3. That which has the color of the ruby, as red wine. Hence, a red blain or carbuncle.
4. (Print.) See Agate, n., 2. [Eng.]
5. (Zoöl.) Any species of South American humming birds of the genus Clytolæma. The males have a ruby-colored throat or breast.
Ruby of arsenic, Ruby of sulphur (Chem.), a glassy substance of a red color and a variable composition, but always consisting chiefly of the disulphide of arsenic; -- called also ruby sulphur. -- Ruby of zinc (Min.), zinc sulphide; the mineral zinc blende or sphalerite. -- Ruby silver (Min.), red silver. See under Red.
Ru"by, a. Ruby-colored; red; as, ruby lips.
Ru"by, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rubied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Rubying.] To make red; to redden. [R.] Pope.
Ru"by*tail` (?), n. (Zoöl.) A European gold wasp (Chrysis ignita) which has the under side of the abdomen bright red, and the other parts deep bluish green with a metallic luster. The larva is parasitic in the nests of other wasps and of bees.
Ru"by-tailed` (?), a. Having the tail, or lower part of the body, bright red.
Ru"by*throat` (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of humming birds belonging to Trochilus, Calypte, Stellula, and allies, in which the male has on the throat a brilliant patch of red feathers having metallic reflections; esp., the common humming bird of the Eastern United States (Trochilus colubris).
Ru"by*wood` (?), n. red sandalwood. See under Sandalwood.
Ru*cer"vine (?), a. [NL. Rucervus, the genus, fr. NL. Rusa a certain genus of deer (Malay r&?;sa deer) + Cervus.] (Zoöl.) Of, like, or pertaining to, a deer of the genus Rucervus, which includes the swamp deer of India.
Ruche (?), n. [F. ruche ruche, beehive, OF. rusche a beehive, which was formerly made of the bark of trees; cf. W. rhisg, rhisgl, bark, gael. rusg bark, rind.] 1. A plaited, quilled, or goffered strip of lace, net, ribbon, or other material, -- used in place of collars or cuffs, and as a trimming for women's dresses and bonnets. [Written also rouche.]
2. A pile of arched tiles, used to catch and retain oyster spawn.
Ruch"ing, n. A ruche, or ruches collectively.
Ruck (?), n. A roc. [Obs. or prov. Eng.] Drayton.
Ruck, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Rucked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Rucking.] [Icel hrukkast to wrinkle, hrukka wrinkle, fold.] To draw into wrinkles or unsightly folds; to crease; as, to ruck up a carpet. Smart.
Ruck, n. [Icel. hrukka. Cf. Ruck, v. t.] A wrinkle or crease in a piece of cloth, or in needlework.
Ruck, v. i. [Cf. Dan. ruge to brood, to hatch.] To cower; to huddle together; to squat; to sit, as a hen on eggs. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Gower. South.
The sheep that rouketh in the fold.
Chaucer.
Ruck, n. [Cf. Ruck.] 1. A heap; a rick. [Prov Eng. & Scot.]
2. The common sort, whether persons or things; as, the ruck in a horse race. [Colloq.]
The ruck in society as a whole.
Lond. Sat. Rev.
Ruc*ta"tion (?), n. [L. ructatio, fr. ructare to belch: cf. F. ructation.] The act of belching wind.
Ruc"tion (?), n. An uproar; a quarrel; a noisy outbreak. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Rud (?), n. [AS. rudu, akin to reád red. √113. See Red, and cf. Ruddy.] 1. Redness; blush. [Obs.]
2. Ruddle; red ocher.
3. (Zoöl.) The rudd.
Rud, v. t. To make red. [Obs.] Spenser.
Rudd (?), n. [See Rud, n.] (Zoöl.) A fresh-water European fish of the Carp family (Leuciscus erythrophthalmus). It is about the size and shape of the roach, but it has the dorsal fin farther back, a stouter body, and red irises. Called also redeye, roud, finscale, and shallow. A blue variety is called azurine, or blue roach.
Rud"der (?), n. A riddle or sieve. [Prov. Eng.]
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Rud"der (?), n. [OE. rother, AS. rðer a paddle; akin to D. roer rudder, oar, G. ruder, OHG. roadar, Sw. roder, ror, Dan. roer, ror. √ 8. See Row to propel with an oar, and cf. Rother. ] 1. (Naut.) The mechanical appliance by means of which a vessel is guided or steered when in motion. It is a broad and flat blade made of wood or iron, with a long shank, and is fastened in an upright position, usually by one edge, to the sternpost of the vessel in such a way that it can be turned from side to side in the water by means of a tiller, wheel, or other attachment.
2. Fig.: That which resembles a rudder as a guide or governor; that which guides or governs the course.
For rhyme the rudder is of verses.
Hudibras.
Balance rudder (Naut.), a rudder pivoted near the middle instead of at the edge, -- common on sharpies. -- Drop rudder (Naut.), a rudder extending below the keel so as to be more effective in steering. -- Rudder chain (Naut.), one of the loose chains or ropes which fasten the rudder to the quarters to prevent its loss in case it gets unshipped, and for operating it in case the tiller or the wheel is broken. -- Rudder coat (Naut.), a covering of tarred canvas used to prevent water from entering the rudderhole. -- Rudder fish. (Zoöl.) (a) The pilot fish. (b) The amber fish (Seriola zonata), which is bluish having six broad black bands. (c) A plain greenish black American fish (Leirus perciformis); -- called also black rudder fish, logfish, and barrel fish. The name is also applied to other fishes which follow vessels. -- Rudder pendants (Naut.), ropes connected with the rudder chains.
Rud"der*head` (?), n. (Naut.) The upper end of the rudderpost, to which the tiller is attached.
Rud"der*hole (?), n. (Naut.) The hole in the deck through which the rudderpost passes.
Rud"der*less, a. Without a rudder.
Rud"der*post (?), n. (Naut.) The shank of a rudder, having the blade at one end and the attachments for operating it at the other.
Rud"der*stock` (?), n. (Naut.) The main part or blade of the rudder, which is connected by hinges, or the like, with the sternpost of a vessel.
Rud"died (?), a. Made ruddy or red.
Rud"di*ly (?), adv. In a ruddy manner. Byron.
Rud"di*ness, n. The quality or state of being ruddy; as, the ruddiness of the cheeks or the sky.
Rud"dle (?), v. t. To raddle or twist. [Obs.]
Rud"dle, n. A riddle or sieve. [Obs.] Holland.
Rud"dle, n. [See Rud; cf. Reddle.] (Min.) A species of red earth colored by iron sesquioxide; red ocher.
Rud"dle, v. t. To mark with ruddle; to raddle; to rouge. "Their ruddled cheeks." Thackeray.
A fair sheep newly ruddled.
Lady M. W. Montagu.
Rud"dock (?), n. [AS. ruddic; cf. W. rhuddog the redbreast. √113. See Rud, n.] [Written also raddock.] 1. (Zoöl.) The European robin. "The tame ruddock and the coward kite." Chaucer.
2. A piece of gold money; -- probably because the gold of coins was often reddened by copper alloy. Called also red ruddock, and golden ruddock. [Obs.]
Great pieces of gold . . . red ruddocks.
Florio.
Rud"dy (?), a. [Compar. Ruddier (?); superl. Ruddiest.] [AS. rudig. See Rud, n.] 1. Of a red color; red, or reddish; as, a ruddy sky; a ruddy flame. Milton.
They were more ruddy in body than rubies.
Lam. iv. 7.
2. Of a lively flesh color, or the color of the human skin in high health; as, ruddy cheeks or lips. Dryden.
Ruddy duck (Zoöl.), an American duck (Erismatura rubida) having a broad bill and a wedge-shaped tail composed of stiff, sharp feathers. The adult male is rich brownish red on the back, sides, and neck, black on the top of the head, nape, wings, and tail, and white on the cheeks. The female and young male are dull brown mixed with blackish on the back; grayish below. Called also dunbird, dundiver, ruddy diver, stifftail, spinetail, hardhead, sleepy duck, fool duck, spoonbill, etc. -- Ruddy plover (Zoöl.) the sanderling.
Rud"dy, v. t. To make ruddy. [R.] Sir W. Scott.
Rude (?), a. [Compar. Ruder (?); superl. Rudest.] [F., fr. L. rudis.] 1. Characterized by roughness; umpolished; raw; lacking delicacy or refinement; coarse.
Such gardening tools as art, yet rude, . . . had formed.
Milton.
2. Hence, specifically: (a) Unformed by taste or skill; not nicely finished; not smoothed or polished; -- said especially of material things; as, rude workmanship. "Rude was the cloth." Chaucer.
Rude and unpolished stones.
Bp. Stillingfleet.
The heaven-born child All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies.
Milton.
(b) Of untaught manners; unpolished; of low rank; uncivil; clownish; ignorant; raw; unskillful; -- said of persons, or of conduct, skill, and the like. "Mine ancestors were rude." Chaucer.
He was but rude in the profession of arms.
Sir H. Wotton.
the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep.
Gray.
(c) Violent; tumultuous; boisterous; inclement; harsh; severe; -- said of the weather, of storms, and the like; as, the rude winter.
[Clouds] pushed with winds, rude in their shock.
Milton.
The rude agitation [of water] breaks it into foam.
Boyle.
(d) Barbarous; fierce; bloody; impetuous; -- said of war, conflict, and the like; as, the rude shock of armies. (e) Not finished or complete; inelegant; lacking chasteness or elegance; not in good taste; unsatisfactory in mode of treatment; -- said of literature, language, style, and the like. "The rude Irish books." Spenser.
Rude am I in my speech.
Shak.
Unblemished by my rude translation.
Dryden.
Syn. -- Impertinent; rough; uneven; shapeless; unfashioned; rugged; artless; unpolished; uncouth; inelegant; rustic; coarse; vulgar; clownish; raw; unskillful; untaught; illiterate; ignorant; uncivil; impolite; saucy; impudent; insolent; surly; currish; churlish; brutal; uncivilized; barbarous; savage; violent; fierce; tumultuous; turbulent; impetuous; boisterous; harsh; inclement; severe. See Impertiment.
-- Rude"ly (#), adv. -- Rude"ness, n.
Ru"den*ture (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L. rudens a rope.] (Arch.) Cabling. See Cabling. gwilt.
Ru"de*ra*ry (?), a. [L. ruderarius, fr. rudus, ruderis, stones crushed and mixed with lime, old rubbish.] Of or pertaining to rubbish.. [Obs.] Bailey.
Rudes"by (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] An uncivil, turbulent fellow. [Obs.] Shak.
Rü"des*heim`er (?), n. A German wine made near Rüdesheim, on the Rhine.
Ru"di*ment (?), n. [L. rudimentum, fr. rudis unwrought, ignorant, rude: cf. F. rudiment. See Rude.] 1. That which is unformed or undeveloped; the principle which lies at the bottom of any development; an unfinished beginning.
but I will bring thee where thou soon shalt quit Those rudiments, and see before thine eyes The monarchies of the earth.
Milton.
the single leaf is the rudiment of beauty in landscape.
I. Taylor.
2. Hence, an element or first principle of any art or science; a beginning of any knowledge; a first step.
This boy is forest-born, And hath been tutored in the rudiments of many desperate studies.
Shak.
There he shall first lay down the rudiments Of his great warfare.
Milton.
3. (Biol.) An imperfect organ or part, or one which is never developed.
Ru"di*ment, v. t. To furnish with first principles or rules; to insrtuct in the rudiments. Gayton.
Ru`di*men"tal (?), a. Rudimentary. Addison.
Ru`di*men"ta*ry (?), a. [Cf. F. rudimentaire.] 1. Of or pertaining to rudiments; consisting in first principles; elementary; initial; as, rudimental essays.
2. (Biol.) Very imperfectly developed; in an early stage of development; embryonic.
Rud"ish (?), a. Somewhat rude. Foote.
Ru*dis"tes (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. rudis rough.] (Paleon.) An extinct order or suborder of bivalve mollusks characteristic of the Cretaceous period; -- called also Rudista. See Illust. under Hippurite.
Ru"di*ty (?), n. [L. ruditas ignorance, fr. rudis rude, illiterate.] Rudeness; ignorance. [R.]
Rud"mas*day (?), n. [See Rood, Mass, Day.] (R.C.Ch.) Either of the feasts of the Holy Cross, occuring on May 3 and September 14, annually.
Ru*dolph"ine (?), a. Pertaining to, or designating, a set of astronomical tables computed by Kepler, and founded on the observations of Tycho Brahe; -- so named from Rudolph II., emperor of Germany.
Rue (?), n. [F. rue, L. ruta, akin to Gr. &?;; cf. AS. r&?;de.] 1. (Bot.) A perennial suffrutescent plant (Ruta graveolens), having a strong, heavy odor and a bitter taste; herb of grace. It is used in medicine.
Then purged with euphrasy and rue The visual nerve, for he had much to see.
Milton.
They [the exorcists] are to try the devil by holy water, incense, sulphur, rue, which from thence, as we suppose, came to be called herb of grace.
Jer. Taylor.
2. Fig.: Bitterness; disappointment; grief; regret.
Goat's rue. See under Goat. -- Rue anemone, a pretty springtime flower (Thalictrum anemonides) common in the United States. -- Wall rue, a little fern (Asplenium Ruta- muraria) common on walls in Europe.
Rue, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rued (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Ruing.] [OE. rewen, reouwen, to grive, make sorry, AS. hreówan; akin to OS. hrewan, D. rouwen, OHG. hriuwan, G. reun, Icel. hruggr grieved, hrugð sorrow. √ 18. Cf. Ruth.] 1. To lament; to regret extremely; to grieve for or over. Chaucer.
I wept to see, and rued it from my heart.
Chapmen.
Thy will Chose freely what it now so justly rues.
Milton.
2. To cause to grieve; to afflict. [Obs.] "God wot, it rueth me." Chaucer.
3. To repent of, and withdraw from, as a bargain; to get released from. [Prov. Eng.]
Rue, v. i. 1. To have compassion. [Obs.]
God so wisly [i. e., truly] on my soul rue.
Chaucer.
Which stirred men's hearts to rue upon them.
Ridley.
2. To feel sorrow and regret; to repent.
Work by counsel and thou shalt not rue.
Chaucer.
Old year, we'll dearly rue for you.
Tennyson.
Rue, n. [AS. hreów. See Rue, v. t.] Sorrow; repetance. [Obs.] Shak.
Rue"ful (?), a. 1. Causing one to rue or lament; woeful; mournful; sorrowful.
2. Expressing sorrow. "Rueful faces." Dryden.
Two rueful figures, with long black cloaks.
Sir W. Scott.
-- Rue"ful*ly, adv. -- Rue"ful*ness, n.
Ru"ell bone` (?). See rewel bone. [Obs.]
Ru*elle" (&?;), n. [F. ruelle a narrow street, a lan&?;, ruelle, fr. rue a street.] A private circle or assembly at a private house; a circle. [Obs.] Dryden.
Ru*fes"cent (?), a. [L. rufescens, p. pr. of rufescere to become reddish, fr. rufus red: cf. F. rufescent.] Reddish; tinged with red.
Ruff (?), n. [F. ronfle; cf. It. ronfa, Pg. rufa, rifa.] (Card Playing) (a) A game similar to whist, and the predecessor of it. Nares.
(b) The act of trumping, especially when one has no card of the suit led.
Ruff, v. i. & t. (Card Playing) To trump.
Ruff, n. [Of uncertain origin: cf. Icel. r&?;finn rough, uncombed, Pr. ruf rude, rough, Sp. rufo frizzed, crisp, curled, G. raufen to pluck, fight, rupfen to pluck, pull, E. rough. √18. Cf. Ruffle to wrinkle.] 1. A muslin or linen collar plaited, crimped, or fluted, worn formerly by both sexes, now only by women and children.
Here to-morrow with his best ruff on.
Shak.
His gravity is much lessened since the late proclamation came out against ruffs; . . . they were come to that height of excess herein, that twenty shillings were used to be paid for starching of a ruff.
Howell.
2. Something formed with plaits or flutings, like the collar of this name.
I reared this flower; . . . Soft on the paper ruff its leaves I spread.
Pope.
3. An exhibition of pride or haughtiness.
How many princes . . . in the ruff of all their glory, have been taken down from the head of a conquering army to the wheel of the victor's chariot!
L'Estrange.
4. Wanton or tumultuous procedure or conduct. [Obs.]
To ruffle it out in a riotous ruff.
Latimer.
5. (Mil.) A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a roll; a ruffle.
6. (Mach.) A collar on a shaft ot other piece to prevent endwise motion. See Illust. of Collar.
7. (Zoöl.) A set of lengthened or otherwise modified feathers round, or on, the neck of a bird.
8. (Zoöl.) (a) A limicoline bird of Europe and Asia (Pavoncella, or Philommachus, pugnax) allied to the sandpipers. The males during the breeding season have a large ruff of erectile feathers, variable in their colors, on the neck, and yellowish naked tubercles on the face. They are polygamous, and are noted for their pugnacity in the breeding season. The female is called reeve, or rheeve. (b) A variety of the domestic pigeon, having a ruff of its neck.
Ruff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ruffed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Ruffing.] 1. To ruffle; to disorder. Spenser.
2. (Mil.) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.
3. (Hawking) To hit, as the prey, without fixing it.
{ Ruff, Ruffe } (?), n. [OE. ruffe.] (Zoöl.) A small freshwater European perch (Acerina vulgaris); -- called also pope, blacktail, and stone, or striped, perch.
Ruffed (?), a. Furnished with a ruff.
Ruffed grouse (Zoöl.), a North American grouse (Bonasa umbellus) common in the wooded districts of the Northern United States. The male has a ruff of brown or black feathers on each side of the neck, and is noted for the loud drumming sound he makes during the breeding season. Called also tippet grouse, partridge, birch partridge, pheasant, drummer, and white-flesher. -- ruffed lemur (Zoöl.), a species of lemur (lemur varius) having a conspicuous ruff on the sides of the head. Its color is varied with black and white. Called also ruffed maucaco.
Ruf"fian (? or ?; 277), n. [F. rufien, OF. ruffen, ruffian, pimp. libertine, ake; cf. pr. & Sp. rufian, It. ruffiano; all perhaps of German or Dutch origin; cf. G. raufen to pluck, scuffle, fight, OD. roffen to pander. Cf. Ruffle to grow urbulent.] 1. A pimp; a pander; also, a paramour. [Obs.]
he [her husband] is no sooner abroad than she is instantly at home, reveling with her ruffians.
Bp. Reynolds.
2. A boisterous, cruel, brutal fellow; a desperate fellow ready for murderous or cruel deeds; a cutthroat.
Wilt thou on thy deathbed play the ruffian?
Shak.
Ruf"fian, a. brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous; as, ruffian rage.
Ruf"fian, v. i. To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult. [R.] Shak.
Ruf"fian*age (?), n. Ruffians, collectively; a body of ruffians. "The vilest ruffianage." Sir F. Palgrave.
Ruf"fian*ish, a. Having the qualities or manners of a ruffian; ruffianly.
Ruf"fian*like` (?), a. Ruffianly. Fulke.
Ruf"fian*ly, a. Like a ruffian; bold in crimes; characteristic of a ruffian; violent; brutal.
Ruf"fian*ous (?), a. Ruffianly. [Obs.] Chapman.
Ruf"fin (?), a. [See Ruffian.] Disordered. [Obs.]
His ruffin rainment all was stained with blood.
Spenser.
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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.
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.
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 ruffled all his heart.
Tennyson.
7. To throw into disorder or confusion.
Where best 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 (?), 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.]
The night comes on, and the bleak winds Do sorely ruffle.
Shak.
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.