See Also: ruffian(dictionary)
ruffian(dictionary)

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.