| ruffle | |
| 1. s. Any gathered or curled strip of fabric added as trim or decoration. | |
| She loved the dress with the lace ruffle at the hem. | |
| 2. s. Disturbance; agitation; commotion. | |
| to put the mind in a ruffle | |
| 3. s. (military) A low, vibrating beat of a drum, quieter than a roll; a ruff. | |
| 4. s. (zoology) The connected series of large egg capsules, or oothecae, of several species of American marine gastropods of the genus Fulgur. | |
| 5. v. To make a ruffle in; to curl or flute, as an edge of fabric. | |
| Ruffle the end of the cuff. | |
| 6. v. To disturb; especially, to cause to flutter. | |
| The wind ruffled the papers. | |
| Her sudden volley of insults ruffled his composure. | |
| 7. v. (intransitive) To grow rough, boisterous, or turbulent. | |
| 8. v. (intransitive) To become disordered; to play loosely; to flutter. | |
| 9. v. (intransitive) To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on airs; to swagger. | |
| 10. v. To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle. | |
| 11. v. To erect in a ruff, as feathers. | |
| 12. v. (military) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum. | |
| 13. v. To throw together in a disorderly manner. | |
