Definition of ruffian

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< ruffed lemur

ruffle >

ruf·fi·an

n, r

n) KEY

NOUN:

A tough or rowdy person.
A thug or gangster.

ETYMOLOGY:
French, pimp, from Old French rufien, from Old Provençal rufian, from Old Italian ruffiano

OTHER FORMS:
ruffi·an·ism(Noun), ruffi·an·ly(Adjective)

Thesaurus: synonyms for ruffian

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