ruck

/ruck/

Friendly

Word: Ruck

Part of Speech: Noun and Verb

Basic Definition:

1. As a Noun:

   • A "ruck" refers to an irregular fold or wrinkle in something smooth, like cloth. For example, if you have a piece of fabric that is crumpled, it has rucks in it.
   • It can also mean a crowd of people or things that are not special or distinguished. For instance, if you say someone rose above the ruck, it means they are better or more remarkable than the average group.

2. As a Verb:

   • To "ruck" means to become wrinkled or to form folds. For example, if you leave a shirt in a ball, it might ruck up and become wrinkled.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "ruck" as a noun when talking about folds in fabric or a crowd of ordinary people. Use it as a verb when describing the action of something becoming wrinkled.

Examples:

• Noun: "There were rucks in the curtain after it had been crumpled."
• Noun (crowd): "His talent made him stand out from the ruck of ordinary performers."
• Verb: "The fabric rucked when I stuffed it into the suitcase."

Advanced Usage:

• You might encounter "ruck" in literary or formal contexts when discussing fashion, textiles, or social commentary. For example, a designer might discuss how to avoid rucks in their clothing designs.

Word Variants:

• Rucking (verb): Present participle form, e.g., "The fabric is rucking when it is not handled properly."
• Rucked (verb): Past tense form, e.g., "The shirt was rucked after being in the dryer."

Different Meanings:

• In sports, particularly rugby, "ruck" refers to a situation where players compete for the ball on the ground after a tackle, which is a very specific meaning related to the game.

Synonyms:

• For the noun (fold): crease, wrinkle, pleat
• For the noun (crowd): mob, throng, mass
• For the verb: crumple, wrinkle, gather

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs that use "ruck," but understanding its use in different contexts can enhance your language skills.

Summary:

"Ruck" can describe a physical characteristic (like wrinkles in fabric) or categorize people (those who are ordinary). As a verb, it describes the action of becoming wrinkled.

Academic

Noun

1. an irregular fold in an otherwise even surface (as in cloth)
2. a crowd especially of ordinary or undistinguished persons or things
   • his brilliance raised him above the ruck
   • the children resembled a fairy herd

Verb

1. become wrinkled or drawn together
   • her lips puckered

Synonyms

• pucker
• herd
• ruck up