{ Ruff, Ruffe } (?), n. [OE. ruffe.] (Zoöl.) A small freshwater
European perch (Acerina vulgaris); -- called also pope, blacktail, and
stone, or striped, perch.
Ruffed (?), a. Furnished with a ruff.
Ruffed grouse (Zoöl.), a North American grouse (Bonasa umbellus) common
in the wooded districts of the Northern United States. The male has a
ruff of brown or black feathers on each side of the neck, and is noted
for the loud drumming sound he makes during the breeding season. Called
also tippet grouse, partridge, birch partridge, pheasant, drummer, and
white-flesher. -- ruffed lemur (Zoöl.), a species of lemur (lemur
varius) having a conspicuous ruff on the sides of the head. Its color
is varied with black and white. Called also ruffed maucaco.
Ruf"fian (? or ?; 277), n. [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. brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous; as, ruffian
rage.
Ruf"fian, v. i. To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult. [R.]
Shak.
Ruf"fian*age (?), n. Ruffians, collectively; a body of ruffians. "The
vilest ruffianage." Sir F. Palgrave.
Ruf"fian*ish, a. Having the qualities or manners of a ruffian;
ruffianly.
Ruf"fian*like` (?), a. Ruffianly. Fulke.
Ruf"fian*ly, a. Like a ruffian; bold in crimes; characteristic of a
ruffian; violent; brutal.
Ruf"fian*ous (?), a. Ruffianly. [Obs.] Chapman.