rufty-tufty
/ˌrʌftɪˈtʌfti/(also ruffty-tuffty) Now rare
adjective
Rumbustious, boisterous; rough, tough. Compare earlier rifty tufty informal and regional in later use.
- Apparently unattested between the 17th and 20th centuries..
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in George Chapman (?1560–1634), poet and playwright. A reduplicative formation, in early use probably ultimately of imitative origin, although with later use perhaps compare rough, tough.
- pupillometrics
- pupillometry
- pupil-master
- pupil-monger
- pupil nurse
- pupilometer
- pupil power
- dispensability
- dispensable
- dispensary
- dispensation
- dispensational
- dispensationalism
- dispensationalist
- dispense
- dispenser
- dispense with someone's services
- dispensing chemist
- dispensing optician
- dispersal
- dispersant
- disperse
- disperser
- dispersible
- dispersion