ruffle
noun
- strip of fabric, lace, or ribbon gathered on one edge and applied as trimming
verb
- cause to be not smooth
- cause consternation
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈɹʌfəl/
noun
Etymology: From Middle English ruffelen, perhaps from Old Norse hrufla (“to graze, scratch”) or Middle Low German ruffelen (“to wrinkle, curl”). Further origin unknown. Related to Middle Dutch ruyffelen, German Low German ruffeln. See English ruff.
- Any gathered or curled strip of fabric added as trim or decoration.
“She loved the dress with the lace ruffle at the hem.”
“His dress was splendid; his hands glittered with rings, his snuff-box was covered with diamonds, and his ruffles were of the finest Mechlin lace.”
- Disturbance; agitation; commotion.
“to put the mind in a ruffle”
- A low, vibrating beat of a drum, quieter than a roll; a ruff.
- The connected series of large egg capsules, or oothecae, of several species of American marine gastropods of the genus Fulgur.
verb
Etymology: From Middle English ruffelen, perhaps from Old Norse hrufla (“to graze, scratch”) or Middle Low German ruffelen (“to wrinkle, curl”). Further origin unknown. Related to Middle Dutch ruyffelen, German Low German ruffeln. See English ruff.
- To make a ruffle in; to curl or flute, as an edge of fabric.
“Ruffle the end of the cuff.”
- To disturb; especially, to cause to flutter.
“The wind ruffled the papers.”
“Her sudden volley of insults ruffled his composure.”
- To grow rough, boisterous, or turbulent.
“The night comes on, and the bleak winds / Do sorely ruffle.”
- To become disordered; to play loosely; to flutter.
“On his right shoulder his thick mane ', / Ruffles at speed, and dances in the wind.”
- To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on airs; to swagger.
“They would ruffle with jurors.”
“gallants who ruffled in silk and embroidery”
- To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle.
- To erect in a ruff, as feathers.
“[T]he barge with oar and sail / Moved from the brink, like some full-breasted swan / That, fluting a wild carol ere her death, / Ruffles her pure cold plume, and takes the flood / With swarthy webs.”
- To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.
- To throw together in a disorderly manner.
“Within a thicket I reposed; when round / I ruffled up fall'n leaves in heap; and found, / Let fall from heaven, a sleep interminate.”