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Added 10 October 2026

ruffle

/ˈɹʌfəl/ noun

Categories: ThingsActionsRare Words

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about ruffle at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. A strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim.
  2. A high tight collar.
  3. A noisy fight.

verb

  1. Stir up (water) so as to form ripples.
  2. Trouble or vex.
    ruffle somebody's composure
  3. To walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others.
    He struts around like a rooster in a hen house

Origin

From Middle English ruffelen, perhaps from Old Norse hrufla (“to graze, scratch”) or Middle Low German ruffelen (“to wrinkle, curl”). Further origin unknown. Related to Middle Dutch ruyffelen, German Low German ruffeln. See English ruff.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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