ruffle

Noun

1. Any gathered or curled strip of fabric added as trim or decoration.
2. Disturbance; agitation; commotion.
3. A low, vibrating beat of a drum, quieter than a roll; a ruff.
4. The connected series of large egg capsules, or oothecae, of several species of American marine gastropods of the genus Fulgur.

Verb

1. (transitive) To make a ruffle in; to curl or flute, as an edge of fabric.
2. (transitive) To disturb; especially, to cause to flutter.
3. (intransitive) To grow rough, boisterous, or turbulent.
4. (intransitive) To become disordered; to play loosely; to flutter.
5. (intransitive) To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on airs; to swagger.
6. To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle.
7. To erect in a ruff, as feathers.
8. To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.
9. To throw together in a disorderly manner.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɹʌfəl/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: ruffelen

Cognate with Middle Dutch: ruyffelen

Cognate with English: ruff

In summary

From Middle English ruffelen, perhaps from Old Norse hrufla (“to graze, scratch”) or Middle Low German ruffelen (“to wrinkle, curl”). Further origin unknown. Related to Middle Dutch ruyffelen, German Low German ruffeln. See English ruff.

Synonyms

rumple

dishevel

disturb

tousle

agitate

frill

disarrange

flounce

trouble

annoy

muss

riffle

upset

discompose

furbelow

disturbance

perturb

fluff

ruff

stir

crumple

disconcert

pleat

mix

neck ruff

disorder

fold

undulate

crease

flurry

fluster

curl

flutter

ripple

ruffle up

crinkle

prance

pother

pucker

confuse

aggravate

perturbation

perplex

mess up

annoyance

plait

cockle

cock

gall

choker