unrufflev.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈrʌfl/, U.S. /ˌənˈrəf(ə)l/ 1.
a. transitive. To restore from a ruffled state; to free from folds, wrinkles, irregularities, etc.; to make still or settled. Also in figurative contexts.
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the world > action or operation > inaction > quietness or tranquillity > make quiet or tranquil [verb (transitive)]
still1300
peasec1350
accoya1375
coyc1374
lullc1386
quiet1423
acquieta1535
calm1559
becalm1613
compose1615
slumber1622
unruffle1629
quieten1759
bestill1760
quietize1791
peace1864
the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > make smooth [verb (transitive)]
smeethc1000
slipe1390
smoothc1440
sleck1530
explain1549
smooth1611
besmooth?1615
sleek1619
deglabrate1623
unruffle1629
smoothen1678
cleanse1680
smoothen1680
smooth1859
1629 J. Mabbe tr. C. de Fonseca Deuout Contempl. 581 She did vnruffle the sides of her haires.
1721 E. Bisse Resolved Chearfulness in Dangers 14 A well-grounded Faith enlarges the Soul, unruffles the Brow, and clears all Solicitude.
1827 C. Lamb Wife's Trial in Wks. (1908) II. 805 A witch..can by a backward charm Unruffle the foul storm she has just been raising.
1833 Countess Granville Lett. (1894) II. 148 This does not seem to unruffle Dolly's plumes.
1838 E. Howard Outward Bound x. 60 I shall select my share and take your face—so unruffle it, if you please.
1901 S. Baring-Gould Royal Georgie xl. 272 She sat unruffling her dress.
1995 K. Atkinson Behind Scenes at Museum (1996) vi. 154 Guiltily, I unruffle the candlewick.
b. intransitive. To become unruffled; to become, or be made, smooth, regular, or even; to become still or settled.
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the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > become smooth [verb (intransitive)]
unruffle1697
smooth1837
smoothen1888
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 207 Where e're he guides His finny Coursers,..The Waves unruffle and the Sea subsides.
1767 W. L. Lewis tr. Statius Thebaid I. v. 220 The Waves unruffle and subside in Peace.
1868 R. Noel Beatrice 73 She listless watched the coral lady-birds Creep up the stone and splitting speckled shards Of tiny fans unruffling for a flight.
1893 Punch 16 Sept. 126/2 How his cock-nose would drop, his flaming crest Droop and unruffle!
1992 V. Mancini & W. Bandler in A. Kandel Fuzzy Expert Syst. xiii. 197 The sheet would inflate, unruffling, and stand suspended for a moment like a white cupola.
2.
a. transitive. To make (a person, the emotions, etc.) calm or tranquil; to ease or lighten (a situation).
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1681 N. Lee Lucius Junius Brutus i. 5 We who sit at the Helm, should now and then unruffle our State affairs with the impertinence of a Fool.
1734 tr. C. Rollin Method Teaching & Studying Belles Lettres II. 286 No one could raise a chearfulness in the judges, and unruffle them..by seasonable railleries.
1800 Monthly Mirror June 340 The ruffling of the visage unruffles the heart.
1835 J. A. St. John Margaret Ravenscroft II. iv. vii. 307 The serene aspect of the sky, which seemed of itself sufficient to unruffle the most perturbed spirit.
1914 Atlanta (Georgia) Constit. 22 July 6/3 He has..an uncanny facility for unruffling tempers.
1989 S. Namjoshi Mothers of Maya Diip v. 33 Saraswati tried to take her arm again and unruffle her, but Jyanvi shook her head fiercely.
2004 Vancouver Sun (Nexis) 7 Aug. b4 Wright came in to unruffle feelings and oil troubled fiscal waters.
b. intransitive. To become calm or tranquil emotionally; to relax, settle down.
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1859 G. Cupples Hinchbridge Haunted vi. 111 ‘Come, none o' that,’ said he, slowly unruffling and uncoiling, as it were.
1943 P. H. Johnson Winter Quarters xi. 198 The B.C., slowly unruffling, wishing to assure Cassilis that his blasphemy had been overlooked, said [etc.].
1957 Economist 23 Nov. 644 (advt.) In a minute he had a good supply [of writing paper]—and a handy table to write on. He began to unruffle—a bit.
2012 Daily Examiner (Grafton, New S. Wales) (Nexis) 19 Sept. 18 Our lives should begin to unruffle, and it will be an exceptional weekend for spiritual influences and meditation.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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