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 ]
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