Ruffle

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ÊŒfÉ™l

Full definition of ruffle

Noun

1. Any gathered or curled strip of fabric added as trim or decoration.''She loved the dress with the lace ruffle at the hem.
2. disturbance; agitation; commotionto put the mind in a ruffle
3. (military) A low, vibrating beat of a drum, quieter than a roll; a ruff.
4. (zoology) The connected series of large egg capsules, or oothecae, of several species of American marine gastropods of the genus Fulgur.

Synonyms

• (strip of fabric) frill, furbelow

Verb

1. (transitive) To make a ruffle in; to curl or flute, as an edge of fabric.Ruffle the end of the cuff.
2. (transitive) To disturb; especially, to cause to flutter.The wind ruffled the papers.Her sudden volley of insults ruffled his composure.
• I. Taylorthe fantastic revelries ... that so often ruffled the placid bosom of the Nile
• Sir W. HamiltonThese ruffle the tranquillity of the mind.
• DrydenShe smoothed the ruffled seas.
• TennysonBut, ever after, the small violence done
  Rankled in him and ruffled all his heart.
3. (intransitive) To grow rough, boisterous, or turbulent.
• ShakespeareThe night comes on, and the bleak winds
  Do sorely ruffle.
4. (intransitive) To become disordered; to play loosely; to flutter.
• DrydenOn his right shoulder his thick mane reclined,
  Ruffles at speed, and dances in the wind.
5. (intransitive) To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on airs; to swagger.
• Francis BaconThey would ruffle with jurors.
• Sir Walter Scottgallants who ruffled in silk and embroidery
6. To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle.
7. To erect in a ruff, as feathers.
• Tennysonswan ruffles her pure cold plume.
8. (military) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.
9. To throw together in a disorderly manner.
• ChapmanI ruffled up fallen leaves in heap.

Derived terms

• ruffly