α. 1500s ruffianlyke, 1500s– ruffianlike.
β. 1500s–1600s ruffinlike.
ruffian-likeadj.adv.
/ˈrʌfɪənlʌɪk/, U.S. /ˈrəfiənˌlaɪk/ Now rare.
A. adj.
Characteristic of or appropriate to a ruffian (in various senses); resembling, or having the qualities or manners of, a ruffian.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > ruffianly conduct > [adjective]
ruffian1553
ruffian-like1555
ruffianous1555
ruffianly1561
ruffianish1593
rowdy dowdy1816
rowdy1835
roughneck1906
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > [adjective] > characteristic of hooligans or ruffians
ruffian1553
ruffian-like1555
ruffianous1555
ruffianly1561
ruffianish1593
pretty-boy1785
thuggish1848
thug1878
hooliganesque1899
hooliganic1902
thuggy1904
thug-like1941
yobbish1966
thugged out1996
α.
β. 1581 T. Styward Pathwaie to Martiall Discipline i. 51 No souldier shall be suffered to be of a ruffin-like behauiour, either to prouoke or to giue anie blow or thrust.1586 W. Fulke Apol. Declam. Frarine 54 in Treat. against Def. of Censure Bks. W. Charke & M. Hanmer To omit his ruffinlike railing, and whorish scoulding.?1608 S. Lennard tr. P. Charron Of Wisdome iii. 502 Infamous and ruffinlike fellowes are apt to fight or doe any thing in cities or townes, with the dexteritie of the sword.1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. iii. 18 Which Ruffin-like custom of long hair now used by the Normans, was here justly restrained.1555 J. Ponet Apologie i. p. viii The termes..of lecherose and filthy beastes, and of youre heathenisse ruffianlyke, and abhominable talke in abusinge the words Carnis resurrectionem.
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Bawdries or ruffianlike tricks, ruflings.
a1627 J. Hayward Life & Raigne Edward Sixt (1630) 142 His bold answeres termed rude and ruffianlike..only caused or much furthered his condemnation.
1657 W. Coles Adam in Eden xviii. 38 The late Witch of Salisbury, who sent her Ruffian-like spirits to gather Vervein and Dill.
1767 J. Wilkes Corr. (1805) III. 104 A good deal of humanity, and some share of timidity, prevented the execution of such ruffian-like commands.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho II. 142 The door opened, and Montoni appeared, followed by three ruffian-like men.
1818 Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. 33 242 The despots, bold and ruffian-like as they are, dare not go to war against the Patriots of Spanish America.
1838 Times 30 Aug. 5/6 He was suddenly accosted by a man of ruffian-like appearance.
1882 C. J. Hamilton Mr. Bartram's Daughter (1883) xviii. 249 If this ruffian-like footman had laid plans to make away with the jewel-box, what could be done?
1985 Globe & Mail (Canada) (Nexis) 26 Feb. Judge Hubert Oliver said Mr. Heather's ruffian-like conduct is all too common in today's society.
B. adv.
In the manner of a ruffian, like a ruffian.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > ruffianly conduct > [adverb]
ruffian-like1580
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > [adverb]
heterlya1225
sturdilyc1374
outraiouslya1400
harageouslyc1450
ruffianly1561
ruffian-like1580
1580 H. Gifford Posie of Gilloflowers f. 71v Those..in great Princes Courtes, Doe Ruffian like behaue them.
1600 N. Breton Pasquils Fooles-cap (rev. ed.) sig. C2 Shee that is giuen to Pride and Brauery, And Ruffin-like, will sweare, and swash it out.
1657 J. Bunyan Vindic. Gospel-truths 20 Ruffian-like they will wear long hair, which nature it self forbiddeth.
1715 L. Theobald tr. Aristophanes Plutus iv. i. 49 Thus Ruffian-like, to besprinkle me with Scandal?
1793 J. C. Cross Insolvent Debtor 19 From the copse..Rush'd ruffian-like a catch-pole and his crew.
1800 Peter not Infallible 10 Leap, ruffian-like, on Order's sacred lap.
1888 Ballou's Monthly Mag. Oct. 326/2 [He had] driven away some Indian women and children, and..boasted, ruffian-like, that,..he had hastened their departure by sending after them a rifle ball.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.adv.1555