ruffianishadj.
/ˈrʌfɪənɪʃ/, U.S. /ˈrəfiənɪʃ/ Resembling or characteristic of a ruffian or ruffians; ruffianly.
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
1593 G. Harvey Pierces Supererogation 140 They that affect such ruffianish braueryes..may bestow the reading.
1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words Ruffianesco, ruffianish.
1768 A. Moir Indictment 46 Such a ruffianish attack upon the moderator in their presence, was a most hainous insult.
1824 Spirit of Public Jrnls. (1825) 511 The complaining coachman—a stout.., large-lipped, young, ruffianish sort of a subject.
1880 T. S. Anderson My Wanderings in Persia iii. 48 A more ruffianish, cut-throat-looking band I have never seen.
1955 W. H. Standley Admiral Ambassador to Russia i. i. 11 At the dock at Taku, I saw a particularly ruffianish crew.
1988 Globe & Mail (Canada) (Nexis) 27 Feb. [They] are fresh and energetic as the sweetly ruffianish teenage children.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1593