ruffle

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: frillflouncefurbelowchokerruffneck ruffaffraydisturbancefrayripplerifflecockle

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. a strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trimSynonyms: frillflouncefurbelow
  2. a high tight collarSynonyms: chokerruffneck ruff
  3. a noisy fightSynonyms: affraydisturbancefray

Verb (9)

  1. stir up (water) so as to form ripplesSynonyms: ripplerifflecockleundulate
  2. trouble or vex“ruffle somebody's composure”
  3. to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others“He struts around like a rooster in a hen house”Synonyms: tittupswaggerprancestrutsashaycock
  4. discompose“This play is going to ruffle some people”“She has a way of ruffling feathers among her colleagues”
  5. twitch or flutter“the paper flicked”Synonyms: flickriffle
  6. mix so as to make a random order or arrangement“shuffle the cards”Synonyms: shufflemix
  7. erect or fluff up“the bird ruffled its feathers”Synonyms: fluff
  8. disturb the smoothness of“ruffle the surface of the water”Synonyms: ruffle uprumplemess up
  9. pleat or gather into a ruffle“ruffle the curtain fabric”Synonyms: pleat
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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. [1913 Webster]

2.To furnish with ruffles; as, to ruffle a shirt. [1913 Webster]

3.To oughen or disturb the surface of; to make uneven by agitation or commotion. [1913 Webster]

The fantastic revelries . . . that so often ruffled the placid bosom of the Nile.— I. Taylor.[1913 Webster]
She smoothed the ruffled seas.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

4.To erect in a ruff, as feathers. [1913 Webster]

[the swan] ruffles her pure cold plume.— Tennyson.[1913 Webster]

5.(Mil.) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum. [1913 Webster]

6.To discompose; to agitate; to disturb. [1913 Webster]

These ruffle the tranquillity of the mind.— Sir W. Hamilton.[1913 Webster]
But, ever after, the small violence done Rankled in him and ruffled all his heart.— Tennyson.[1913 Webster]

7.To throw into disorder or confusion. [1913 Webster]

Where best He might the ruffled foe infest.— Hudibras.[1913 Webster]

8.To throw together in a disorderly manner. [R.] [1913 Webster]

I ruffled up falen leaves in heap.— Chapman[1913 Webster]

To ruffle the feathers of, to exite the resentment of; to irritate. [1913 Webster]

Ruffle \Ruf"fle\, v. i. [Perhaps of different origin from ruffle to wrinkle; cf. OD. roffeln, roffen, to pander, LG. raffein, Dan. ruffer a pimp. Cf. Rufflan.]

1.To grow rough, boisterous, or turbulent. [R.] [1913 Webster]

The night comes on, and the bleak winds Do sorely ruffle.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

2.To become disordered; to play loosely; to flutter. [1913 Webster]

On his right shoulder his thick mane reclined, Ruffles at speed, and dances in the wind.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

3.To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on airs; to swagger. [1913 Webster]

They would ruffle with jurors.— Bacon.[1913 Webster]
Gallants who ruffled in silk and embroidery.— Sir W. Scott.[1913 Webster]
Ruffle \Ruf"fle\, n. [See Ruffle, v. t. & i.]

1.That which is ruffled; specifically, a strip of lace, cambric, or other fine cloth, plaited or gathered on one edge or in the middle, and used as a trimming; a frill. [1913 Webster]

2.A state of being ruffled or disturbed; disturbance; agitation; commotion; as, to put the mind in a ruffle. [1913 Webster]

3.(Mil.) A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a roll; -- called also ruff. --H. L. Scott. [1913 Webster]

4.(Zool.) The connected series of large egg capsules, or oothecae, of any one of several species of American marine gastropods of the genus Fulgur. See Ootheca. [1913 Webster]

Ruffle of a boot, the top turned down, and scalloped or plaited. --Halliwell. [1913 Webster]

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