2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Ruffle  \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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  ruffled 
  adj  1:  shaken  into  waves  or  undulations  as  by  wind;  "the  rippled 
  surface  of  the  pond";  "with  ruffled  flags  flying" 
  [syn:  {rippled}] 
  2:  having  decorative  ruffles  or  frills  [syn:  {frilled},  {frilly}] 

browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
or search   thesauri dictionary search words