51Թ

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View synonyms for

ruffian

[ ruhf-ee-uhn, ruhf-yuhn ]

noun

  1. a tough, lawless person; roughneck; bully.

    Synonyms: , , , ,



adjective

  1. Also ܴf··. tough; lawless; brutal.

ruffian

/ ˈʌɪə /

noun

  1. a violent or lawless person; hoodlum or villain
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈܴڴھԱ, adjective
  • ˈܴڴھԾ, noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of ruffian1

1525–35; < Middle French < Italian ruffiano, perhaps < Langobardic *hruf scurf + Italian -ano -an
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of ruffian1

C16: from Old French rufien , from Italian ruffiano , perhaps related to Langobardic hruf scurf, scabbiness
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Along came Rodrigo Duterte, a swaggering ruffian from the southern island of Mindanao, whose 1998 psychological assessment concluded he had a “pervasive tendency to demean, humiliate others and violate their rights.”

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The trial heard him described as a "ruffian" and a "street waif" who never stood still.

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Chickadees may be portrayed as radiating tranquil beauty on holiday cards, but realistically, these loud, round ruffians are tough survivors of harsh winter environments in northern latitudes.

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In America, he's a ruffian who hunts with a bow and arrow.

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Chaplin was sharing a table with Russian aristocrats and violinist Jascha Heifetz and saw Julian and his buddies kick over a lamp and generally behave like ruffians.

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