ruffian

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A scoundrel, rascal, or unprincipled, deceitful, brutal and unreliable person.

   What wilt thou on thy death-bed play the Ruffian?

2. 2
   verb

   To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult.

   Methinks the wind does speak aloud at land; A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements. If it hath ruffianed so upon the sea.

3. 3
   adj

   Brutal, cruel, ruffianlike.

   Ruffian rage.

Simplified etymology

Ruffian entered English in the late 15th century through French and apparently comes from Italian dialect rofia, meaning “scab” or “scurf.”

From Middle French rufian, from Italian ruffiano (“pimp”).

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary