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ruffian |
4 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Ruffian \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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Ruffian \Ruf"fian\, a. brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous; as ruffian rage. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Ruffian \Ruf"fian\, v. i. To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult. [R.] --Shak. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: ruffian n : a cruel and brutal fellow [syn: {bully}, {tough}, {hooligan}, {roughneck}, {rowdy}, {yob}, {yobo}, {yobbo}]
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