† ruffianousadj.
Obsolete.
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
1555 Instr. Gentleman C iij Hortentius Corbio, a man of most noughty and Ruffianous life.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads vi. 457 To shelter the sad Monument from all the ruffinous pride Of stormes and tempests.
1641 J. Johnson Acad. Love 19 The penurious caitive, or ruffinous swaggerer hath sworne and drunke himselfe not onely out of cloathes, but also out of money.
1762 J. Mitchell Female Pilgrim 422 There were no ruffinous archers to shoot their darts at them.
1794 J. Robertson Lett. & Dial. Lord's Supper 106 He..becomes the head of a ruffianous band to go to seize the innocent Jesus.
1847 Peter Parley's Ann. 137 These days were spent in rude and riotous sports, in bear-baiting, bull-baiting, dog fighting, and other ruffianous diversions.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2011; most recently modified version published online September 2018).
<
adj.1555