English Lexicon

Ruff

/rʌf/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A type of bird (Philomachus pugnax) known for its elaborate courtship display and distinctive neck ruff.

    "During the mating season, the male ruff displays its colorful neck ruff to attract females."
  2. 2

    An ornamental collar or frill worn around the neck, especially in historical fashion.

    "The queen was adorned with a magnificent ruff that highlighted her royal attire."

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Synonyms (3)
Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The word 'ruff' originates from Middle English 'ruffe', which is derived from the Old French 'rufe', meaning a collar or frill. Historically, it referred to a type of ornamental collar worn in the 16th and 17th centuries, evolving to describe a specific type of bird known for its distinctive neck ruff during mating displays.

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