Definition

1. Noun:

   • A high, stiff collar, often pleated or frilled: A "ruff" is a type of collar that stands up around the neck, worn in Europe, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries.
   • A fringe of feathers or hair around the neck of a bird or mammal: In zoology, a "ruff" refers to a distinct ring of long feathers or fur around an animal's neck.
   • A common Eurasian wading bird (Philomachus pugnax): The "ruff" is a sandpiper where the breeding male develops a large, colorful neck ruff.
   • (Card games) The act of playing a trump card when unable to follow suit: In games like whist or bridge, a "ruff" is the play of a trump card to win a trick when you have no cards of the suit led.

2. Verb:

   • (Card games) To play a trump card when unable to follow suit: To "ruff" means to win a trick by playing a trump card on a lead of a different suit.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The portrait showed a nobleman wearing an elaborate lace ruff.
  • The male ruff displays its spectacular neck feathers during courtship.
  • She scored an extra trick with a well-timed ruff.

• Verb:

  • With no more hearts, he was able to ruff the third round of the suit.

Advanced Usage

• "To overruff" or "to be overruffed": In card games, to play a higher trump card on a trick where an opponent has already ruffed.
  • My queen of trumps was overruffed by the king.

Variants and Related Words

• Ruffed (adj): Having a ruff, as in the ruffed grouse, a North American bird.
• Ruffian (n): This is a different word meaning a violent, lawless person. It is not a variant of "ruff" but is sometimes confused due to similar spelling.

Synonyms

• Noun (Collar): Frill, jabot.
• Noun (Bird): Reeve (the name for the female of the species).
• Verb (Cards): Trump.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Ruff in / Ruff out: (Card games) Specific terms for ruffing with a high or low trump card, respectively.
  • He decided to ruff in with his ace of trumps.

Related Idioms

• None directly associated with the word "ruff" itself. The term is primarily used in specific historical, zoological, and gaming contexts.

Noun

1. (card games) the act of taking a trick with a trump when unable to follow suit
2. common Eurasian sandpiper; the male has an erectile neck ruff in breeding season
3. a high tight collar
4. an external body part consisting of feathers or hair about the neck of a bird or other animal

Verb

1. play a trump