nounπShareA circular frill or ruffle on a garment, especially a starched, fluted frill at the neck in Elizabethan and Jacobean England (1560sβ1620s)."The historical drama featured actors wearing elaborate costumes, including starched white ruffs around their necks. "appearancestylehistorywearcultureperiodChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAnything formed with plaits or flutings like a frill."The dress had beautiful ruffs around the neckline, making it look elegant. "appearancewearstyleChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareSenses relating to animals."The dog's ruffs alerted the family to the squirrel in the tree. "animalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA collar on a shaft or other piece to prevent endwise motion."The mechanic installed ruffs on the spinning shaft of the machine to keep it from sliding out of place. "machinetechnicalpartChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAn exhibition of haughtiness or pride."Despite failing the test, she walked around with such ruffs that you'd think she aced it. "attitudecharacterChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareTumultuous or wanton conduct or procedure."The teacher warned the students that any further ruffs in the classroom would result in detention. "actionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo shape (fabric, etc.) into a ruff; to adorn (a garment, etc.) with a ruff."The seamstress ruffs the lace around the collar of the dress to give it a more elegant look. "stylewearartappearanceChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareOf a falcon, hawk, etc.: to hit (the prey) without fixing or grabbing hold of it."The young hawk, still learning to hunt, ruffs the squirrel with its talons, sending it scrambling away unharmed instead of securing a kill. "animalbirdactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo ruffle; to disorder."The wind ruffs my hair as I walk to school. "appearanceChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareOf a bird: to ruffle its feathers."The little bird ruffs its feathers to stay warm in the cold wind. "birdactionanimalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo boast, to brag."After winning the race, he started to ruffs about how much faster he was than everyone else. "attitudecharacterlanguagecommunicationChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo speak in a loud and domineering manner; to bluster, to swagger."The manager ruffs at the employees, demanding they work faster. "communicationattitudecharacterlanguageChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareArripis georgianus, a fish found in cool waters off the southern coast of Australia; the Australian herring or tommy ruff."The fisherman hoped to catch a good number of ruffs while fishing off the coast of Victoria. "fishanimalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA bottom-dwelling carnivorous fish of the family Sparidae found in temperate and tropical waters; a porgy or sea bream."The fisherman proudly displayed his catch, a mix of snapper and several silvery ruffs. "fishanimalfoodoceanChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAn instance of ruffing, or an opportunity to ruff, when unable to follow suit.""Because she was out of hearts, Maria took advantage of the ruffs to win the trick with her trump card." "gameChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA game similar to whist and its predecessor.""Before learning bridge, my grandmother taught me simpler card games like whist and ruffs." "gameentertainmentChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo play a trump card to a trick when unable to follow suit (that is, to play a card of the same suit as the previous or leading card).""Since I had no more clubs, I had to ruff with a spade to win the trick." "gameChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareEspecially in the form ruff out: to defeat (a card, etc.) by ruffing, thus establishing the master card in the suit led."In bridge, declarer needed to ruffs the last diamond in dummy to establish the King of Hearts as a trick-winning card. "gameChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA low, vibrating beat of a drum, quieter than a roll; a ruffle."The drummer practiced the quiet ruffs before adding them to the marching band's song. "musicsoundChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo beat a ruff or ruffle, as on a drum."The drummer ruffs a quick beat on the snare drum before starting the song. "musicsoundactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareOf a drum, etc.: to have a ruff or ruffle beaten on it."The drummer ruffs the snare, building anticipation before the band explodes into the chorus. "musicsoundChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareGymnocephalus cernua, a small Eurasian freshwater fish."Scientists studying the biodiversity of the lake were surprised to find ruffs among the more common fish species. "fishanimalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareOther species in the same genus."While ruffs (Philomachus pugnax) are known for their elaborate mating displays, ornithologists also study their ruffs, such as broad-billed sandpipers, to understand shorebird evolution. "biologyanimalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading