RUFFIAN • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Ruffian

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noun

Ruffian n.

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."

A boisterous, cruel, brutal fellow; a desperate fellow ready for murderous or cruel deeds; a cutthroat. "Wilt thou on thy deathbed play the ruffian?"

Hence: A tough, lawless or bullying person.

verb

Ruffian v. i. To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult. (R.)

adjective

Ruffian adj. Brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous; as, ruffian rage.

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Etymology of 'Ruffian'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Ruffian" Quotes from Famous Books

... a smile, put it into her arms, and told her that she was now at liberty to return to her home or go where she pleased. The joy expressed by the girl and by all who witnessed this scene was very great; for they had all considered him to be a mere ruffian, incapable of anything like a ...

— A Journey through the Kingdom of Oude, Volumes I & II • William Sleeman

... "You young ruffian!" I exclaimed, "how dare you strike your sister? You deserve a downright good thrashing for such a deed, and—mark you this, boy!—if ever you so much as attempt to do such a thing again and I get to hear of it, I will rope's-end you until you can neither stand, sit, nor lie down. You ought ...

— The First Mate - The Story of a Strange Cruise • Harry Collingwood

... the people of England is the career of Jack Sheppard, as brutal a ruffian as ever disgraced his country, but who has claims upon the popular admiration which are very generally acknowledged. He did not, like Robin Hood, plunder the rich to relieve the poor, nor rob with an uncouth sort of courtesy, like Turpin; but he escaped from Newgate with the fetters ...

— Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions - Vol. I • Charles Mackay

... ye! Who'd be bothered with the Land League here?" said Robert, shoving the yellow horse into the crowd; "let the hounds through, boys, can't ye? No, Captain, but 'tis Saint November's Day, as they call it, a great holiday, and there isn't a ruffian in the country but has come out with his blagyard ...

— All on the Irish Shore - Irish Sketches • E. Somerville and Martin Ross

... against America broke out, his gaiety all forsook him. The idea of a ruffian soldiery overrunning his native land, preyed incessantly on his spirits, and threw him into those brown studies which cost his lady full many a tear. Unable to bear his disquietude, he fled at length ...

— The Life of General Francis Marion • Mason Locke Weems

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