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ruffling |
1 definition 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.
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