WordGarden.ioruff
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈʌf/
US
- /ˈrəf/
Meanings
Interjection
used to imitate the bark of a dog
Noun
a wading bird whose breeding male has a large neck frill
a pleated or gathered collar or neck frill, especially in historical dress
Verb
to win a trick by playing a trump card when unable to follow suit
Beyond the definition
A ruff is usually something you see: a gathered or pleated collar worn around the neck, especially in old European fashion. Think of famous portraits from the time of Queen Elizabeth I. The word can also describe a ring of feathers on a bird or a thick growth of fur around a dog's neck. In card games, to ruff also means to play a trump card when you cannot follow suit. So the word can point either to a showy collar, a neck covering in nature, or a move in a game of cards.
Imagine stepping back into the 16th or 17th century. You would see elaborate clothing everywhere, and many people, especially those of high rank, would be wearing a ruff. This was a large, starched frill around the neck, often made from linen or lace. In portraits from that period, it became a clear sign of style, wealth, and status.
But the word does not stay in old fashion. In nature, it can mean a ring or fringe of longer feathers or hair around the neck. Some birds have a striking spread of neck feathers, and some dogs have a thick, mane-like growth around the neck. In both cases, the idea is much the same: something full and noticeable framing the neck.
There is also a card-game sense. In games such as bridge, to ruff means to win a trick by playing a trump card when you cannot follow the suit that was led. So the word has several lives: a famous collar from history, a natural neck fringe on animals, and a specific move in trick-taking card games.
Examples
- 1
Animal fur
In winter, the fox grows a thick ruff around its neck.
- 2
Bird display
When the male bird felt threatened, it raised its ruff to look larger.
- 3
Historical clothing
In the old portrait, she is wearing a lace ruff around her neck.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- ruffnounverb
Forms
- ruffedpast tenseverbnoun
- ruffspluralnounverb
- ruffing-ing formverbnoun