- ruffle
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ruffle1
—ruffly, adj. —ruffler, n./ruf"euhl/, v., ruffled, ruffling, n.v.t.1. to destroy the smoothness or evenness of: The wind ruffled the sand.2. to erect (the feathers), as a bird in anger.3. to disturb, vex, or irritate: to be ruffled by a perceived slight.4. to turn (the pages of a book) rapidly.5. to pass (cards) through the fingers rapidly in shuffling.v.i.7. to be or become ruffled; undulate; flutter: Flags ruffle in the wind.8. to be or become vexed or irritated.9. to put on airs; swagger.n.10. a break in the smoothness or evenness of some surface; undulation.11. a strip of cloth, lace, etc., drawn up by gathering along one edge and used as a trimming on a dress, blouse, etc.12. some object resembling this, as the ruff of a bird.13. disturbance or vexation; annoyance; irritation: It is impossible to live without some daily ruffles to our composure.14. a disturbed state of mind; perturbation.[1250-1300; ME ruffelen (v.); c. LG ruffelen to crumple, rumple; cf. ON hruffa to scratch]Syn. 1. disarrange, disorder, wrinkle, rumple. 3. upset, annoy, agitate. 10. perturbation, flurry, agitation. 11. frill, ruff.ruffle2/ruf"euhl/, n., v., ruffled, ruffling.n.1. a low, continuous beating of a drum.v.t.2. to beat (a drum) in this manner.[1715-25; archaic ruff in same sense (perh. imit.) + -LE]
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Universalium. 2010.