See Also: ruffian(dictionary)
ruffian(dictionary)

douche (iou) and ruffian (iou)


douche (iou)



douche noun & verb. M18.
[French from Italian doccia conduit pipe, from docciare pour by drops from Proto-Romance, from Latin ductus DUCT noun.]
A. noun. (The application of) a jet of (esp. cold) liquid or air to a part of the body, as a form of bathing or for medicinal purposes; spec. the flushing of the vagina, as a contraceptive measure. Also, a syringe or similar device for producing such a jet. M18.
fig.: P. Brook From the fanatical chastity of Isabella and the mystery of the Duke we are plunged back to Pompey and Barnadine for douches of normality.
Comb.: douche-bag a small syringe for douching the vagina, esp. as a contraceptive measure.
b. verb.
verb trans. Administer a douche to. M19.
verb intrans. Take a douche; spec. take a vaginal douche, esp. as a contraceptive measure. M19.

ruffian (iou)



ruffian noun, adjective, & verb. L15.
[Old & mod. French ruffian, rufian (mod. also rufien), from Italian ruffiano, prob. from dial. rofia scab, scurf, from Germanic (whence also Old High German ruf scurf).]
A. noun.
A violent lawless person; a rough, a rowdy. L15.
A dissolute person; esp. one distinguished as such by dress or appearance. M16-L17.
A prostitute's pimp. M16-M17.
b. adjective. Of or pertaining to a ruffian or ruffians; having the character or appearance of a ruffian. M16.
C. verb intrans. & trans. (with it). Behave like a ruffian; poet. (of wind etc.) rage, bluster. M16.
ruffianage noun (rare) = ruffianism M19.
ruffiandom noun the domain of ruffians; ruffians collectively: L19.
ruffianish adjective (rare) = ruffianly L16.
ruffianism noun (a) the conduct characteristic of a ruffian or ruffians; violence, lawlessness; (b) ruffians collectively: L16.
ruffianize verb (a) verb intrans. pimp; (b) verb trans. make ruffian in character or appearance: L16.
ruffian-like adjective & adverb (a) adjective = ruffianly; (b) adverb (rare) in the manner or a ruffian or ruffians: M16.
ruffianly adjective (a) having the character or appearance of a ruffian; (b) characteristic of or appropriate to a ruffian or ruffians: L16.