To ruffle the feathers of

To ruffle the feathers of
Ruffle Ruf"fle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ruffled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Ruffling}.] [From {Ruff} a plaited collar, a drum beat, a tumult: cf. OD. ruyffelen to wrinkle.] 1. To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle. [1913 Webster]

2. To furnish with ruffles; as, to ruffle a shirt. [1913 Webster]

3. To oughen or disturb the surface of; to make uneven by agitation or commotion. [1913 Webster]

The fantastic revelries . . . that so often ruffled the placid bosom of the Nile. --I. Taylor. [1913 Webster]

She smoothed the ruffled seas. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

4. To erect in a ruff, as feathers. [1913 Webster]

[the swan] ruffles her pure cold plume. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

5. (Mil.) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum. [1913 Webster]

6. To discompose; to agitate; to disturb. [1913 Webster]

These ruffle the tranquillity of the mind. --Sir W. Hamilton. [1913 Webster]

But, ever after, the small violence done Rankled in him and ruffled all his heart. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

7. To throw into disorder or confusion. [1913 Webster]

Where best He might the ruffled foe infest. --Hudibras. [1913 Webster]

8. To throw together in a disorderly manner. [R.] [1913 Webster]

I ruffled up falen leaves in heap. --Chapman [1913 Webster]

{To ruffle the feathers of}, to exite the resentment of; to irritate. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Ruffle — Ruf fle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ruffled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Ruffling}.] [From {Ruff} a plaited collar, a drum beat, a tumult: cf. OD. ruyffelen to wrinkle.] 1. To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ruffle — [[t]rʌ̱f(ə)l[/t]] ruffles, ruffling, ruffled 1) VERB If you ruffle someone s hair, you move your hand backwards and forwards through it as a way of showing your affection towards them. [V n] Don t let that get you down, he said ruffling Ben s… …   English dictionary

  • ruffle feathers — see ↑ruffle, 1 • • • Main Entry: ↑feather ruffle feathers informal : to upset or offend someone His critical remarks ruffled some feathers. = His critical remarks ruffled a few feathers. His critical remarks ruffled the feathers of the board… …   Useful english dictionary

  • ruffle — ruf|fle1 [ rʌfl ] verb transitive 1. ) to move something so that it is no longer smooth or even: Don t ruffle the tablecloth I just ironed it. a ) to touch someone s hair in a friendly way: She kissed him on the forehead and ruffled his hair. b ) …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • ruffle — I UK [ˈrʌf(ə)l] / US verb [transitive] Word forms ruffle : present tense I/you/we/they ruffle he/she/it ruffles present participle ruffling past tense ruffled past participle ruffled 1) to move something so that it is no longer smooth or even Don …   English dictionary

  • ruffle — ruffle1 ruffly, adj. ruffler, n. /ruf euhl/, v., ruffled, ruffling, n. v.t. 1. to destroy the smoothness or evenness of: The wind ruffled the sand. 2. to erect (the feathers), as a bird in anger. 3. to disturb, vex, or irritate: to be ruffled by… …   Universalium

  • ruffle — I. /ˈrʌfəl / (say rufuhl) verb (ruffled, ruffling) –verb (t) 1. to destroy the smoothness or evenness of: the wind ruffled the sand. 2. (of a bird) to erect (the feathers), as in aggressive display. 3. to annoy, disturb, discompose, or irritate.… …  

  • ruffle — I ruf•fle [[t]ˈrʌf əl[/t]] v. fled, fling, n. 1) to destroy the smoothness or evenness of 2) to erect (the feathers), as a bird in anger 3) to disturb, vex, or irritate 4) to turn (pages) rapidly 5) to pass (cards) through the fingers rapidly in… …   From formal English to slang

  • List of The A-Team episodes — The A Team began airing on NBC on January 23, 1983 with the pilot episode, and ended on March 8, 1987 with Without Reservations . The show comprises 98 episodes over five seasons. Contents 1 Overview 2 Episodes 2.1 Season 1: 1983 …   Wikipedia

  • ruffle someone's feathers — ruffle (someone s) feathers to make someone annoyed or upset. Her spokeswoman wouldn t say whether the lawsuit has ruffled the singer s feathers. He tries not to ruffle feathers, and people seem to like to work with him. Usage notes: sometimes… …   New idioms dictionary

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