ruffle: Meaning and Definition of

ruf•fle

Pronunciation: (ruf'ul), [key]
— v., n. -fled, -fling,
—v.t.
  1. to destroy the smoothness or evenness of: The wind ruffled the sand.
  2. to erect (the feathers), as a bird in anger.
  3. to disturb, vex, or irritate: to be ruffled by a perceived slight.
  4. to turn (the pages of a book) rapidly.
  5. to pass (cards) through the fingers rapidly in shuffling.
  6. to draw up (cloth, lace, etc.) into a ruffle by gathering along one edge.
—v.i.
  1. to be or become ruffled; undulate; flutter: Flags ruffle in the wind.
  2. to be or become vexed or irritated.
  3. to put on airs; swagger.
—n.
  1. a break in the smoothness or evenness of some surface; undulation.
  2. a strip of cloth, lace, etc., drawn up by gathering along one edge and used as a trimming on a dress, blouse, etc.
  3. some object resembling this, as the ruff of a bird.
  4. disturbance or vexation; annoyance; irritation: It is impossible to live without some daily ruffles to our composure.
  5. a disturbed state of mind; perturbation.

ruf•fle

Pronunciation: (ruf'ul), [key]
— n., v., -fled, -fling.
—n.
  1. a low, continuous beating of a drum.
—v.t.
  1. to beat (a drum) in this manner.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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