ruffian

Synonyms

Ruf"fian ( or ; 277), n. Etym: [F. rufien, OF. ruffen, ruffian, pimp. libertine, ake; cf. pr. & Sp. rufian, It. ruffiano; all perhaps of German or Dutch origin; cf. G. raufen to pluck, scuffle, fight, OD. roffen to pander. Cf. Ruffle to grow urbulent.] 1. A pimp; a pander; also, a paramour. [Obs.] he [her husband] is no sooner abroad than she is instantly at home, reveling with her ruffians. Bp. Reynolds. 2. A boisterous, cruel, brutal fellow; a desperate fellow ready for murderous or cruel deeds; a cutthroat. Wilt thou on thy deathbed play the ruffian Shak. Ruf"fian, a. Defn: brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous; as, ruffian rage. Ruf"fian, v. i. Defn: To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult. [R.] Shak.