RUFFIANS

Noun

ruffians

plural of ruffian

Anagrams

• funfairs

Source: Wiktionary

RUFFIAN

Ruf"fian ( or ; 277), n. Etym: [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.

Definition: brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous; as, ruffian rage.

Ruf"fian, v. i.

Definition: To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult. [R.] Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition