Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
- Entries
- 95,912
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Rŭff, n. p. 1155That which is made rough; especially, a muslin or linen collar plaited, crimped, or fluted, worn formerly by both sexes, but now only by females. “Here to-morrow with his best ruff on.” Shak. His…Rŭff, v. t. p. 1155To ruffle; to disorder. Spenser. 2. To trump, as a card in playing whist, instead of following suit. Smart. 3. To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum. 4. (Hawking.) To hit, as the prey, without…Rŭffed, a. p. 1155Furnished with a ruff. Ruffed grouse (Ornith.), a bird of the genus Bonasa (B. umbellus, Tetrao umbellus, or T. togatus of Linnaeus), found in North America, especially in the northern parts of the…Rŭf'fian, n. p. 1155A pimp; a pander; a procurer; a paramour. [Obs.] He [her husband] is no sooner abroad than she is instantly at home, reveling with her ruffians. Reynolds. 2. A boisterous, brutal fellow; a fellow…Rŭf'fian, a. p. 1155Brutal; savagely boisterous; as, ruffian rage.Rŭf'fian, v. i. p. 1155To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult. [Obs.] Shak.Rŭf'fian-ĭsh, a. p. 1155Having the qualities or manners of a ruffian.Rŭf'fi-an-ism, n. p. 1155The act or conduct of a ruffian.Rŭf'fi-an-ly, a. p. 1155Like a ruffian; bold in crimes; violent; licentious. Fulke.Rŭf'fian-oŭs, a. p. 1155Like a ruffian; ruffianly. [Obs.]Rŭf'fle, v. t. p. 1155To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into wrinkles, open plaits, or folds; to wrinkle. Addison. 2. To furnish with ruffles; as, to ruffle a shirt. 3. To roughen or disturb the surface of; to make…Rŭf'fle, v. i. p. 1155To grow rough or turbulent. [Rare.] Bleak winds do ruffle sorely. Shak. 2. To play loosely; to flutter. On his right shoulder his thick mane reclined, Ruffles at speed, and dances in the wind.…Rŭf'fle, n. p. 1155That which is ruffed; specifically, a strip of plaited cambric, or other fine cloth, attached to some border of a garment, as to the wristband or bosom; a frill. 2. A state of being ruffled or…Rŭf'fle, n. p. 1155(Mil.) A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a roll;—called also ruff. Scott.Rŭf'fle, v. t. p. 1155(Mil.) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.Rŭf'fle-less, a. p. 1155Having no ruffles.Rŭf'fle-ment, n. p. 1155The act of ruffling.Rŭf'fler, n. p. 1155A bully; a swaggerer; a ruffian. “Assaults, if not murders, done at his own doors by that crew of rufflers.” Milton.Rū'foŭs, a. p. 1155Reddish; of a reddish or brownish-red color.Rutt, n. p. 1155Eructation; belching. Dunglison.Rūf’ter-hōōd, n. p. 1155(Falconry.) A plain leather hood, large and open behind, to be worn by a hawk when she is first drawn. [Obs.]Rŭg, n. p. 1155A coarse, nappy, woolen fabric, used for various purposes;—as, (a.) For the cover of a bed. (b.) For protecting the carpet before a fire place, (c.) For protecting the legs against the cold in…Rŭg, v. t. p. 1155To pull roughly or hastily; to plunder; to spoil. [Scot.] The good old times of rugging . . . are come back again. W. Scott.Rū'gate, a. p. 1155Having alternate ridges and depressions; wrinkled. Dana.Rŭg'ged, a. p. 1155Full of asperities on the surface; broken into sharp or irregular points, or otherwise uneven; rough; as, a rugged mountain; a rugged road. “The rugged bark of some broad elm.” Milton. 2. Not neat or…Rŭg'ged-ly, adv. p. 1155In a rough or rugged manner.Rūg'ged-ness, n. p. 1155The quality or state of being rugged; roughness; harshness; surliness; coarseness; rudeness; storminess; boisterousness.Rūg'ging, n. p. 1155A coarse cloth, for wrapping blankets, &c. Simmonds.Rūg'-gown, n. p. 1155A gown of coarse cloth. B. Jonson.Rūg'-gowned, a. p. 1155Wearing a coarse gown or rug. Beau. & Fl.Rūg'gy, a. p. 1155Rugged; rough. [Obs.]Rūg'in, n. p. 1155A nappy cloth. [Obs.] Wiseman.Rū'gīne, n. p. 1155An instrument used for rasping bones to detach the periosteum, either in certain surgical operations or for anatomical purposes. Dunglison.Rū'gīne, v. t. p. 1155To scrape or rasp; to scale. [Rare.]Rū-gōse', a. p. 1155Wrinkled; full of wrinkles. Wiseman. 2. (Bot.) Having the veins more contracted than the disk, so that the latter rises into little inequalities, as in sage, primrose, cowslip, &c.;—said of leaves.Rū-gōs'i-ty, n. p. 1155The state of being rugose; a state of being wrinkled. [Rare.]Rū'gous, a. p. 1155The same as RUGOSE, q. v.Rū'gu-lōse', a. p. 1155Somewhat wrinkled. Henslow.Rūhm'kōrf's Coil p. 1155A machine for producing currents of induced electricity of great intensity, consisting of a coil or helix of stout copper wire insulated by being wound with silk, surrounded by another coil of fine…Rū'in, n. p. 1155The act of falling or tumbling down; fall. [Obs.] His ruin startled the other steeds. Chapman. 2. That change of any thing which destroys it, or entirely defeats its object, or unfits it for use…Ru'in, v. t. p. 1156To bring to ruin; to cause to fall to pieces and decay; to make to perish; to bring to destruction; to impair seriously; to damage essentially. This mortal house I'll ruin. Shak. By thee raised, I…Rŭ'in, v. i. p. 1156To fall to ruins; to become decayed or dilapidated; to perish. [Rare.] Though he his house of polished marble build, Yet shall it ruin like the moth's frail cell. Sandys. If we are idle, and disturb…Ru'in-a-ble, a. p. 1156Capable of being ruined.Ru'in-āte, v. t. p. 1156To demolish; to subvert; to destroy; to reduce to poverty. [Obs.] “To ruinate my father's house.” Shak. “Ruinating thereby the health of their bodies.” Burton.Ru'in-āte, v. i. p. 1156To fall. [Obs.] On the other side they saw that perilous rock Threatening itself on them to ruinate. Spencer.Ru'in-ate, a. p. 1156Involved in ruin; ruined. My brother Edward lives in pomp and state, I in a mansion here all ruinate. J. WebsterRu'in-ā'tion, n. p. 1156Subversion; overthrow; demolition. [Obs. or collog.]Ru'in-er, n. p. 1156One who ruins or destroys.Ru'in-i-fōrm, a. p. 1156Having the appearance of ruins, or of the ruins of houses; as, certain minerals are said to be ruiniform.Ru'in-oūs, a. p. 1156Destructive; baneful; pernicious; bringing, or tending to bring, certain ruin. “After a night of storm so ruinous.” Milton. 2. Characterized by ruin; as, an edifice, bridge, or wall in a ruinous…Ru'in-ous-ly, adv. p. 1156In a ruinous manner; destructively.Ru'in-ōus-ness, n. p. 1156The state or quality of being ruinous.Rukh, n. p. 1156The same as ROC, q. v.Rŭl'a-ble, a. p. 1156Subject to rule; accordant or conformable to rule. Bacon.Rule, n. p. 1156A straight piece of wood, metal, or the like, which serves as a guide in drawing a straight line, or as a measuring rod for short distances. A judicious artist will use his eye, but he will trust…Rule, v. t. p. 1156To mark with lines by a ruler; as, to rule a blank book. 2. To control the will and actions of; to exercise authority over; to lay down a guide for; to govern. I think she will be ruled in all…Rule, v. i. p. 1156To have power or command; to exercise supreme authority;—often followed by over. By me princes rule. Prov. viii. 16. We subdue and rule over all other creatures. Ray. 2. (Law.) To lay down and settle…Rule'less, a. p. 1156Destitute of rule; lawless. “A ruleless rout of young men.” Spenser.Rul'er, n. p. 1156An instrument of wood or metal with straight edges or sides, by which lines are drawn on paper, parchment, or other substance; a rule. 2. One who rules; one who exercises sway or authority, a…Rū'ling, p. a. p. 1156Marking with a ruler, or as with a ruler; marking with lines, or used for marking lines; as, a ruling-machine. 2. Predominant; chief; controlling; governing; reigning; as, a ruling passion; a ruling…