| 释义 |
▪ I. ruffle, n.1|ˈrʌf(ə)l|
Also 6 Sc. ruffill.
[f. ruffle v.1 Cf. Kilian's ‘ruyffel, ruga’ (not otherwise known), and LG. ruffel goffering-iron.]
I.
†1. Impairment of one's reputation. Obs.—1
1508Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen 332, I wald haif ridden him to Rome, with ane raip in his heid, Wer not ruffill of my renovne, & rumour of pepill.
†2. Disorder, confusion. Obs.
It is possible that these quots. may belong to ruffle n.2
1533More Answ. Poysoned Bk. Wks. 1087/2 When ye see the thynges in suche wyse before you withoute inter⁓lacinge, ruffle, and confusion. 1712Blackmore Creation 252 The elements distinct might keep their seat, Elude the ruffle, and your scheme defeat.
3. a. A disturbed state (of the mind); disturbance, perturbation, excitement.
1704M. Henry Commun. Comp. Wks. 1853 I. 340/2 Free from the disorders and ruffles of passion. 1748J. Norton Redeemed Captive (1870) 21 This put them into a considerable ruffle, fearing that there might be an army after them. 1767T. Hutchinson Hist. Mass. II. iii. 221 An administration..calm and without ruffle. 1878Elwin in Life & Lett. Pennefather xxi. 515 To carry out innumerable details without ruffle or excitement.
b. A disturbing or annoying experience or encounter; annoyance, vexation.
1718Entertainer No. 21. 138 To keep the Soul steady under the severest Pressures and Ruffles of Fortune, is a Magnanimity few Hero's can arrive at. 1735Swift Corr. Wks. 1841 II. 757 Taking a secret pleasure in all the little ruffles you meet with in the country. 1741Middleton Cicero I. v. 332 As this unexpected opposition gave some little ruffle to the Triumvirate. 1878Hare Walks Lond. I. iv. 136 In his after work he met with so many rubs and ruffles.
4. A break or alteration in the evenness or placidity of some surface:
a. Of the features.
1713Guardian No. 29, She..is never seen..to disorder her Countenance with the Ruffle of a Smile. 1895Meredith Amazing Marriage xv, A ruffle of sourness shot over the features of the earl.
b. Of water, the sky, etc.
1750Beawes Lex Mercat. (1752) 47 The frowns and ruffles of a lowering sky. 1793Smeaton Edystone L. 197 The water is generally so clear as to see the bottom; and in case of any ruffle by the wind [etc.]. 1855Guthrie Gospel in Ezekiel (1856) 317 The cripple..sat uncured by Bethesda's pool, nor took his anxious eye off the water as he waited for its first stir and ruffle. 1894Jessopp Rand. Roam. i. 37 In that delicious..sunshine, with never..a ruffle on the gently heaving water.
5. The act of ruffling cards.
1872Routledge's Ev. Boy's Ann. June 435/1 The ruffle is a mere flourish.
II.
†6. The loose turned-over portion or flap of a top-boot. Obs.—1
1599B. Jonson Ev. Man out of Hum. iv. vi, One of the Rowels catcht hold of the Ruffle of my Boot, and being Spanish leather, and subject to tear, overthrows me.
7. a. A strip of lace or other fine material, gathered on one edge and used as an ornamental frill on a garment, esp. at the wrist, breast, or neck.
Ruffles at the wrists were formerly an ordinary appendage of male costume.
1707Ld. Raby in Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) II. 43 He wears no Ruffles. 1747Gent. Mag. 541/2 He has desired the officers of the army to leave off ruffles, and sets the example himself. 1778F. Burney Evelina lxxii, He was very soon engaged..in looking at lace ruffles. 1850D. G. Mitchell Rev. Bachelor 87 A little bit of lace ruffle is gathered about the neck by a blue ribbon. 1881Besant & Rice Chapl. of Fleet I. 142 He would go with waistcoat unbuttoned,..neck-cloth loose, and ruffles limp.
transf.1825T. Hook Sayings Ser. ii. Man of Many Fr. 176 A haunch of mutton,..decorated with a paper ruffle,..to look..like venison.
†b. pl. Handcuffs. slang (? Obs.).
1785Grose Dict. Vulgar T. 1839W. H. Ainsworth Jack Sheppard I. ii. ix. 305 ‘I'll accommodate you with a pair of ruffles.’ And he proceeded to handcuff his captive. 1840H. Cockton Life Valentine Vox xiv. 109 ‘Sam! here, where are the ruffles?’ and the fellow addressed instantly produced a pair of handcuffs. 1912A. H. Lewis Apaches of N.Y. viii. 179 Outside they found Cohen..with the ruffles on the Ghost.
c. An object resembling a ruffle; esp. the ruff of a bird.
1862Agassiz Contrib. Nat. Hist. U.S. IV. 88 Adorned..with waving ruffles projecting in large clusters, which are alternately pressed forward and withdrawn. 1872Coues N. Amer. Birds 18 The condor has a singular ruffle all around the neck, of close, downy feathers.
8. attrib. and Comb. as ruffle collar, ruffle lace; ruffle cuffed, ruffle headed adjs.; ruffle shirt N. Amer., (a) a shirt decorated with ruffles; (b) transf., an aristocrat, a person of means; hence ruffle-shirted a., ruffle-shirter.
1968J. Ironside Fashion Alphabet 52 Ruffle collar, a collar cut on the bias or circular so that it falls in a fluted ruffle round the neck.
1880‘Mark Twain’ Tramp Abroad 399, I did not get back the same drawers I sent down... I got a pair on a new plan. They were merely a pair of white ruffle-cuffed absurdities. 1927W. Deeping Kitty xxix. 370 The ruffle-headed pianist bumping up and down on his chair.
1682J. Pinney Let. 4 Sept. (1939) 15 The remnant you sent downe shall speadily be cut & sent & a ruffel lace of 2 nailes broad. 1830Amer. Sentinel (Philadelphia) 27 Aug. 2/2 Where a dinner is to be got up, a few mechanics are procured to take the first rank, and the ruffle shirts fall into the rear. 1831American (Harrodsburg, Kentucky) 22 July 3/1 General Jackson and his friends are lessening the burthens of the people by..placing the Tax, on Wines, Rum,..and fine cloth such as the Rufle [sic] shirt gentry wear. 1838B. Drake Tales & Sk. 64 The colonists presented, indeed, a curiously grotesque appearance, loitering about the station in ruffle shirts and coon-skin caps. 1840J. P. Kennedy Quodlibet xii. 158 If he does get on with his business, and makes a little fortune, we can call him a..Ruffle Shirt. 1848Knickerbocker XVIII. 520 It was asserted..that he wore a ruffle-shirt and overshoes.
1835A. B. Longstreet Georgia Scenes 85 The ruffle-shirted little darlings of the present day. a1864Hawthorne Dr. Grimshawe v, A decorous, powdered, ruffle-shirted dignitary. 1876Harper's Weekly 26 Aug. 691/1 They belonged to the class which the ward politicians of to-day sneer at as ruffle-shirted and silk-stockinged.
1842Knickerbocker XIX. 305 Many a taunt, hitherto repressed, was thrown at the ruffle-shirters, as the town boys called them.
▪ II. ˈruffle, n.2
Forms: 5–6 ruffull, ruffill, 6 ruffell, 6– ruffle.
[f. ruffle v.2, but in later use perh. not clearly distinguished from ruffle n.1 3 (see also n.1 2).]
1. A riotous disturbance or tumult; a hostile encounter or skirmish; a contention, dispute.
1534More Treat. Passion Wks. 1292/1 They sayde therfore.., Not on the holy day, lest there aryse some sedicious ruffle among the people. 1559Baldwin in Mirr. Magistr. To Rdr. A ij, Omytting the ruffle made by Jacke Strawe and his meyny. 1567Drant Horace, Ep. ii. i. G vj, Such rule and ruffle make the rowte that cum to see our geare.
1700Strype Life Aylmer (1821) 97 In April 1588, he happened to have a ruffle with a mad blade named Maddocks. 1710Palmer Proverbs 329 In the ruffle between two pretenders, the right owner often finds the possession. 1779Johnson Wks. (1787) IV. 504 Calamy only says he had a ruffle with bishop Laud, while at his height. 1826Scott Woodst. viii, That last ruffle which we had with him at Worcester. 1858Froude Hist. Eng. IV. 34 When the ruffle of the Reformation arose in England, James inclined to the Papacy. 1890‘R. Boldrewood’ Miner's Right (1899) 82/1, I wouldn't mind a ruffle with some of your volunteers.
†b. Without article. Obs.
a1557M. Basset tr. More's Treat. Passion M.'s Wks. 1357/1 Wherby raised they many yeares together, muche busines & ruffle in the church. 1571Campion Hist. Irel. ii. ix. (1633) 106 Causes of much ruffle and unquietnes in the Realme.
†2.
a. Sc. A check or defeat. Obs.
a1578Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) II. 201 That was the grettest ruffell that evir the thives of liddis⁓daill sufferit. 1679Lauderdale Papers (Camden) III. 169 Should I have hazarded these few forces that were there and got the least ruffle, the consequences of it might have been of too great Importance to Scotland. 1721Wodrow Ch. Hist. (1828) III. 70 They knew well their persecutor's rage would be sharpened by this ruffle [viz. the defeat at Drumclog].
†b. A disturbing cause or event; a disturbance of peace or tranquillity; a commotion. Obs.
1667Waterhouse Fire of London 169 Turned out of their callings, and unstocked by the loss of that ruffle. 1672Owen Disc. Christian Love v. Wks. 1852 XV. 155 This rule of church communion furnished Christians with peace and amity for many ages, setting aside the ruffle given them in the rashness of Victor before mentioned. 1716Bp. Kennett in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. ii. IV. 302 The Princess is in a very safe condition; the long depending labour, and the loss of a fine Prince upon it, made a great ruffle at Court.
†3. Ostentatious bustle or display. Obs. rare.
1597Shakes. Lover's Compl. ix, A reuerend man..Some⁓time a blusterer that the ruffle knew Of Court, of Cittie. a1694Tillotson Serm. clxxv. Wks. 1743 IX. 4091 Wickedness is many times exalted to high places and makes a great noise and ruffle in the world.
†4. = ruff n.6 Obs.
1647N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. i. lxvii. 279 Though the Clergy were now in their ruffle, and felt themselves in their full strength. 1688Holme Armoury iv. (Roxb.) 403/1 Barry wavey of 6, A. and B. an English ship, O. in full ruffle with sailes A. garnished with red crosses. Ibid., A ship in his full ruffle vnder full saile.
▪ III. ˈruffle, n.3 rare.
[Cf. ruff n.1 1.]
The sea-bream.
1601Holland Pliny II. 429 The blacke-tailed ruffles or sea-breames, which the Greekes name Melanuri. 1883Fisheries Exhib. Catal. 352 Oil extracted from Liver of the Ruffle, Canary Islands.
▪ IV. ˈruffle, n.4 Mil.
[Cf. ruff n.5 and Pg. rufla in the same sense.]
(See quot. 1802.)
1802James Milit. Dict., Ruffle, a term used among the drummers of a British regiment, to signify a sort of vibrating sound, which is made upon a drum, and is less loud than the roll. 1844Regul. & Ord. Army 29 A Lieutenant-General is to be received,—By Infantry, with three Ruffles. 1868Ibid. §74 The trumpets sounding and the drums beating a ruffle. 1890Cent. Mag. Feb. 570/1 The very drums and fifes that played the ruffles as each battalion passed the President.
▪ V. ˈruffle, v.1
Forms: 4–5 ruffel (5 -lyn, -lone), 6 ruffill, -yll, rofel, 7 ruffell; 6–7 rufle, 5– ruffle.
[Of doubtful origin. Similar forms in the related languages are LG. ruffelen, rüffelen to crumple, curl, goffer (cf. Kilian's ‘ruyffelen, rugare, striare’) and ON. hrufla to scratch. Sense 9 is also similar to that of Du. roffelen, LG. ruffelen, to work roughly.]
I.
1. trans. To destroy the smoothness or evenness of, to spoil the regular or neat arrangement of (cloth, the skin, etc.).
a1300Cursor M. 26391 Þai leue þe grettes plight be-hind, Bileues þe heui, and sceues þe light þat ruffeld es for to ma slight. 1530Palsgr. 695/1, I ruffle clothe or sylkes, I bring them out of their playne foldynge, je plionne. Se howe this lawne is ruffylled. 1599B. Jonson Ev. Man out of Hum. i. ii, Ruffle your brow like a new boot. 1607Dekker & Marston Westw. Hoe i. i, Pray thee looke the gowne be not rufled. 1657in Thurloe State P. VI. 317 The paper being loose and ruffled up, the titles of the said books were very visible. 1700T. Brown tr. Fresny's Amusem. 49 There sits a Beau..that dares not stir his head nor move his Body, for fear of..ruffling his Cravat. 1711Addison Spect. No. 42 ⁋1 A little Boy taking care all the while that they do not ruffle the Tail of her Gown. 1833H. Martineau Three Ages i. 6 The elder dame smoothed a brow which was evidently too apt to be ruffled.
b. To roughen, raise, or abrade (the skin, etc.) as by rubbing or grazing upon.
1615G. Sandys Trav. 67 They be women of elegant beauties,..smooth as the polished iuory; being neuer ruffled by the weather. 1654Whitlock Zootomia 327 Ruffling her incomparable Beauty with Hardships of Weather. 1727A. Hamilton New Acc. E. Ind. II. 11, I could give many Instances.., but am loth to ruffle the skin of old sores. 1730Phil. Trans. XXXVI. 341 The Sword had slanted..along the Omentum, grazing slightly upon it, which was superficially ruffled, but so as to be hardly perceivable. 1883S. C. Hall Retrospect I. 123 A ball from the pistol of Maginn ruffled the coat-collar of Berkeley.
c. To draw together in a ruffle or ruffles; to trim with ruffles. (Usu. in pa. pple.)
1653Greaves Seraglio 62 A pair of Chackshirs, or breeches, after their fashion down to the heels, and ruffled in the small of the leg, as our boots are. 1666Pepys Diary 15 Oct., The legs ruffled with black riband like a pigeon's leg. 1711Addison Spect. No. 129 ⁋9 That he had a clean Shirt on, which was ruffled down to his middle. 1784Cowper Task iv. 545 Her elbows ruffled, and her tott'ring form Ill propp'd upon French heels. 1869Blackmore Lorna D. xxi, He was..tasselled and ruffled with a mint of bravery. 1891Truth 10 Dec. 1240/2 With fichu and sash ruffled with quantities of lace.
2. To disorder, disarrange (hair or feathers); to cause to stick up or out irregularly.
1490Caxton Eneydos ii. 15 Hir heyr..hangynge indyfferently and alle rufflyd on alle partyes. 1538Leland Itin. (1768) II. 65 Then I saw to antique Heddes with Heere as rofelid yn Lokkes. 1582Stanyhurst æneis ii. (Arb.) 65 Heer with al in trembling with speede wee ruffled his heare⁓bush. 1608Willet Hexapla Exod. 32 A bird cannot enter without the rufling and pulling off her feathers. 1634Milton Comus 380 She..lets grow her wings That in the various bussle of resort Were all to ruffl'd. 1864Tennyson Aylmer's F. 660 Not a hair Ruffled upon the scarfskin. 1887Bowen æneid iii. 241 Not one feather is ruffled, the spears from their bodies glance. 1897W. H. Thornton Rem. West-Co. Clergyman 250 She..went after the other bird and brought it to me without ruffling a feather.
transf.1703Rowe Fair Penit. i. i, Enthusiastick Passion swell'd her Breast, Enlarg'd her Voice, and ruffled all her Form.
b. Of a bird: To set up, stiffen (the feathers), esp. as a sign of anger. Also in fig. context.
a1643W. Cartwright Lesbia on her Sparrow Comedies, etc. (1651) 225 He would..now ruffle all His Feathers o'er, now let 'em fall. 1828Scott F.M. Perth xvi, No dung⁓hill cock..would ruffle his feathers at such a craven as thee! 1859Farrar J. Home xxviii, The Dean ruffled his plumage, and said with asperity. 1870Rock Text. Fabr. i. 232 A swan ruffling up its feathers at the presence of an eagle.
3. In general use: To disorder, to render uneven or irregular, in some manner. Also refl.
1528Lett. & P. Hen. VIII, IV. ii. 2233 [The jury] have viewed both the east and west jetty, and find..parts of the same greatly frusshid and ruffild, so that part must be made new. 1633G. Herbert Temple, Affliction iv, While blustring windes destroy the wanton bowres, And ruffle all their curious knots and store. 1692Bentley Boyle Lect. iv. (1693) 117 Shocks that would ruffle and break all the little Stamina of the Embryon. 1708Phil. Trans. XXVI. 37 The Shingles on the Roof adjoyning thereto..were raised or ruffled. 1784F. Burney Diary 3 Nov., Not a particle of our whole frames seems ruffled or discomposed. 1803Wordsw. Airey-Force Valley 2 Not a breath of air Ruffles the bosom of this leafy glen. 1841B. Hall Patchwork III. 17 The cool sea-breeze..ruffling the surface of the water. 1883Symonds Ital. Byways i. 3 A hurricane blew upward from the pass.., ruffling the lake. 1889Pater G. de Latour 75 The plain of La Beauce had ruffled itself into low green hills and gently winding valleys.
transf.1722De Foe Moll Flanders 105 We had an indifferent good Voyage, till we came just upon the Coast of England,..but were then ruffled with two or three Storms.
b. In fig. contexts.
1834Greville Mem. 13 Nov. (1875) III. 139 Several disagreeable occurrences have ruffled the stream of my life. 1848Dickens Dombey l, To think that she..ruffled, by a breath, the harmless current of his life.
c. To blot out by ruffling. rare—1.
a1680Charnock Attrib. God (1834) I. 441 Levity of spirit..scatters our thoughts..; whatsoever we hear is like words written in sand ruffled out in the next gale.
4. a. To stir up to indignation. rare—1.
1601Shakes. Jul. C. iii. ii. 232 But were I Brutus, And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would ruffle vp your Spirits.
b. To annoy, irritate, vex, discompose (a person, the mind, etc.).
1658–9Burton's Diary (1828) IV. 222 The member that ruffled Sir Arthur Haslerigge thus, was of no great quality. 1695J. Edwards Perfect. Script. 26 Those murmurings and discontents which ruffle and imbroil the soul. 1710Steele Tatler No. 176 ⁋6 He is sensible of every Passion, but ruffled by none. 1782F. Burney Cecilia viii. i, At last,..and evidently much ruffled in his temper, he came. 1839Adm. Paget Autobiog. (1896) ii. 55, I could not resist asking the unlucky man whether this did not ruffle his temper. 1888Burgon Lives 12 Gd. Men II. xii. 413 Always equable in his temper,..nothing ever seemed to ruffle him.
c. To trouble, disturb (a state of mind, etc.).
1701Stanhope S. Augustine's Medit. 78 The love of the World and the Flesh is ruffled with anxious Fears. 1769Robertson Chas. V, ix. Wks. 1813 III. 143 The insult..did not even ruffle the wonted tranquillity and composure of his mind. 1788Gibbon Decl. & F. l. V. 227 The concord was slightly ruffled by an accidental quarrel. 1815F. Burney Diary (1876) IV. 286 This serenity was some⁓what ruffled by the arrival of the commander of the forces. 1858Froude Hist. Eng. III. xvii. 499 From that moment no..violent words or actions ruffled his relations with England. 1874Green Short Hist. vii. §3. 368 Her good humour was never ruffled by the charges.
5. To turn over (the leaves of a book) hurriedly; to slip (cards) rapidly through the fingers.
1621Donne Serm. cxvii. Wks. 1839 V. 65 It is not to be able to repeat any history of the Bible without book, it is not to Ruffle a Bible, and upon any word to turn to the chapter and to the Verse. 1826Scott Woodst. iii, It is a mercy our good knight did not see him ruffle the book at that rate. 1872Routledge's Ev. Boy's Ann. June 435/1 He ostentatiously ruffles the cards.
6. intr. To rise unevenly or irregularly; to form small folds or bends; to flutter in this manner.
1577B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. iv. (1586) 158 The necke feathers of colour diuers,..which must hang rufling from his necke, to his shoulders. 1607Markham Caval. ii. (1617) 255 About your necke you shall weare..no Ruffe whose depth or thicknes may either with the winde, or motions of your Horse, ruffell about your face. 1666Dryden Ann. Mirab. clii, Her flag aloft, spread ruffling to the wind, And sanguine streamers seem the flood to fire. 1728–46Thomson Spring 718 Her pinions ruffle, and, low⁓drooping, scarce Can bear the mourner to the poplar shade. 1887J. Ker Serm. Ser. ii. IV. 57 It [the sea] ruffles to the breeze and swells into the storm.
b. To stir with anger or impatience.
1719Young Busiris i. i, Ruffles your temper at offences past? 1891Eng. Illustr. Mag. June 662 Whose phlegmatic calm did not ruffle for one instant under his conductor's impatient temper.
II.
†7. trans. To put into disarray or confusion; to tangle, ravel. Obs.
c1440Promp. Parv. 439/1 Ruffelyn, or snarlyn,..innodo. Ibid., Rufflyd, or snarlyd, innodatus, illaqueatus. 1529More Dyaloge iv. Wks. 274/2 The world once rufled and fallen in a wildenes, how long would it be..ere the waye were founden to set the worlde in order and peace againe. 1580Baret Alv. C, After the rude vandals..had by tumult of warre, ruffled all learning out of order. 1638Rawley tr. Bacon's Life & Death (1650) 8 Things which by that, are not onely wrinkled, but ruffled and plighted, and as it were rowled together.
†b. To involve in obscurity or perplexity; to confuse or bewilder (a person). Obs.
c1480Henryson Poems (S.T.S.) III. 150 Ȝe wald deir me, I trow, becaus I am dottit, To ruffill me with a ryme. 1530Tindale Answ. More xi. Wks. (1573) 330 But I will declare in light that which M. More ruffeleth vp in darkenesse. 1662W. Gurnall Chr. in Arm. (1669) 503/2 The Schoolmen..ruffled and ensnarled the plainest Truths of the Gospel with their harsh terms. 1679C. Ness Antichrist 178 This prophecy..hath been so ruffled with variety of interpretations.
†8. To fold, wrap, heap, rattle up, in a rough or careless manner. Obs.
1533More Answ. Poysoned Bk. Wks. 1088/2 He ruffleth vp all the matter shortelye in a fewe words. 1587Fleming Contn. Holinshed III. 1348/2 Five webs of lead were ruffled up together, like as they had beene clouts of linnen cloth. 1615Chapman Odyss. vii. 396, I ruffld vp falne leaues in heape. 1658tr. Porta's Nat. Magick iii. i. 60, I have neither time nor leisure.., seeing this work is ruffled up in haste.
†b. To furl (a sail). Obs. rare.
1622Mabbe tr. Aleman's Guzman d'Alf. 191 Inforced to let fall their maine sayle, which when they had ruffled [etc.]. Ibid. 355 It was put to my account to tye vp the Yards, to ruffle the Sayle.
†9. To make a stir or search; to poke up. Obs.
c1440Promp. Parv. 437/1 Rooryn, or ruffelyn amonge dyuerse thyngys, manumitto. 1574Whitgift Def. Aunsw. 114 Being faine to ransacke, and ruffle vp euery darke corner.
▪ VI. ruffle, v.2|ˈrʌf(ə)l|
Forms: 5 ruffelyn, ruffule, 5–7 rufle (6 rofle), 6 ruffil(l, ruffel, 6– ruffle (7 roughle).
[Of obscure origin. In senses 1 and 2 app. obsolete from before 1700 until revived by Scott.]
1. intr. To contend or struggle with, to do battle for, a person or thing. Now arch.
c1440Promp. Parv. 439/1 Ruffelyn, or debatyn (K.P. or discordyn), discordo. 1527State Papers Hen. VIII, IV. 471, I haue ruffelde with the Warden, and also with the Cardinall, and truste to pluk him by the noose. 1606G. W[oodcock] Lives Emperors in Hist. Ivstine Hh iv, Hee ouerthrew Iouius Maximus, and Sebastianus, ruffling for the succession in Gallia. 1630R. Johnson's Kingd. & Commw. 284 If they be displeased, they are strong enough to ruffle with him. c1660Petty in Ld. E. Fitzmaurice Life (1895) 50 Men of activity that could..ruffle with the several rude persons in the country. 1820Scott Abbot xxvi, She had lords and lairds that would ruffle for her.
2. To make a great stir or display; to hector, swagger, bear oneself proudly or arrogantly. Now arch. (very common c 1540–1650).
1484Caxton Fables of Avian xxi, The evylle, cursyd & rebelles, whiche doo no thynge but playe with dees and cardes and to ruffule. 1532More Confut. Tindale Wks. 570/2 The Lutheranes & Zwinglianes haue begunne to ryse & ruffle in rebellion in soondry partes of Almayne. 1549Latimer Ploughers (Arb.) 26 They are so troubeled wyth Lordelye lyuynge,..ruffelynge in theyr rentes,..that they canne not attende it. 1605Camden Rem. (1623) 248 There was a Noble man..that hauing lately sold a Mannor of an hundred tenements, came ruffling into the Court, in a new sute. 1640Bp. Hall Episc. ii. xvii. 109 Pampering his Appetite,..or ruffling in proud and costly attyres. 1692R. L'Estrange Josephus (1733) 679 All his Companions..came ruffling up to him with clamorous Invectives. 1865Kingsley Herew. xix, [He] gets drunk, ruffles, and roysters. 1894Mrs. Oliphant Q. Anne vii. 354 A man about town ruffling at the coffee-houses.
b. Const. with it and out.
(a)1560Bp. Pilkington Aggeus (1562) 268 It becometh a gentleman, to make merye and ruffle it. 15941st Pt. Contention (1843) 13 His proud wife..That ruffles it with such a troupe of Ladies. 1643Trapp Comm. Gen. xlvi. 32 Chusing rather a poor shepherds life in Gods service, then to ruffle it, as Courtiers. a1659Bp. Brownrig Serm. (1674) II. x. 122 Themselves ruffled it in mirth and jollity. 1821Scott Kenilw. iv, He must ruffle it in another sort that would walk to court in a nobleman's train. 1895Mrs. Oliphant Makers Mod. Rome ii. i. 105 He must no doubt have ruffled it with the best among the officials.
(b)1574Golding Calvin on Job 364 True it is that the wicked ruffle it out in this worlde. 1596Nashe Saffron Walden Wks. (Grosart) III. 106 Gabriell..came ruffling it out, huffty tuffty, in his suite of veluet. a1646J. Burroughes Exp. Hosea vii. (1652) 132 The men of the world..have their day in which they ruffle it out. 1673Lady's Calling ii. ii. §52 But however they may ruffle it out with men, it will one day arraign them before God. 1826Scott Woodst. xxvii, I..would willingly ruffle it out once more in the King's cause.
†c. trans. To brazen or face out. Obs.—1
1612W. Parkes Curtaine-Dr. (1876) 24 The poore harlot must be stript & whipt for the crime that the Courtly-wanton and ye Citie-sinner ruffle out,..and glory in.
3. Of winds, etc.: To be turbulent, rage, bluster.
The latest quot. perhaps belongs to ruffle v.1
1579Twyne Phis. agst. Fortune ii. xxv. 200 b, Whyle the windes ruffle rounde about thee, returne thou into the Hauen. 1582Stanyhurst æneis i. (Arb.) 20 The east west contrarie doe struggle And southwind ruffling. Ibid. iii. 88 Fierce the waters ruffle, thee sands with wroght flud ar hoysed. 1624Capt. Smith Virginia v. 181 Such an extreme gust of wind and weather so ruffled in the trees and Church. 1790A. Wilson Th. Churchyard Poet. Wks. 13 The chilly breeze bleak ruffles o'er the lawn.
†4. trans. To handle roughly; to set upon with violence; to bully. Obs.
1489Barbour's Bruce iv. 145 Thai within..Sa gret defence and worthy mad, That thai full oft thair fayis ruflyt. c1610Sir J. Melvil Mem. (1735) 324 They were mishandled, ruffled and delayed here the Space of..Months. 1641Milton Reform. i. Wks. 1851 I. 17 But now..a true Bishop of his fold shall be revil'd, and ruffl'd by an insulting..Prelate. 1673Remarques Humours Town 129 You will be strangely ruffled if you are found ignorant in the nicest points. a1721Sheffield (Dk. Buckhm.) Wks. (1753) II. 102 He was not to be ruffled out of his care for the City by any subject whatsoever.
†b. To handle (a woman) with rude familiarity; to touzle. Obs.
1607Barley-Breakes (1877) 8, I tell thee, Chuck, thy Father doth disdaine To see his child so ruffled by a knaue. 1667Dryden & Dk. Newcastle Sir M. Mar-all i. i, You must not suffer him to ruffle you, or steal a kiss. a1704T. Brown Praise of Drunkenness Wks. 1730 I. 35 If an honest gentleman is a little too much heated with the fumes of wine and..ruffles the women. 1720Mrs. Manley tr. Power Love (1741) 323 He..came, without any Forms, to ruffle and kiss the lovely Rustic.
†5. To take or snatch rudely. Obs.
1605Shakes. Lear iii. vii. 41, I am your Host, With Robbers hands my hospitable fauours You should not ruffle thus. 1715Town-Talk No. 9 (1790) 109, I have..given imagination so much liberty as to fancy I ruffled a kiss from you when a country girl.
†6. To brandish vigorously. Obs.—1
a1537Thersytes 300, I wyll ruffle this clubbe aboute my hedde.
▪ VII. ˈruffle, v.3 Sc.
[Cf. ruffle n.4]
intr. Of a drum: To beat a ruffle. Also ˈruffling vbl. n.
1721Wodrow Hist. Suff. Ch. Scot. (1830) III. 409 Two drums were ready on each hand to ruffle as major White should order them. Ibid. 415 He was interrupted by the ruffling of the drums. |