D defs.my
Entry 5 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Ruffian

/(rŭf"yan [or] rŭf"fĭ*an; 277)/ · Ruf·fian · IPA /ˈɹʌfi.ən/
01 n. A pimp; a pander; also, a paramour.
  1. 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. 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.
  3. 3.
    A tough, lawless or bullying person.
02 a. Brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous; as, ruffian rage.
  1. 1.
    Brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous; as, ruffian rage.
03 v. i. To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult.
  1. 1.
    To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult.[R.]