Origin of ruffian 1 1525–35; <Middle French <Italianruffiano,perhaps <Langobardic*hrufscurf + Italian-ano-an Other words for ruffian 1brute,tough,knave,rogue,blackguard Seesynonymsforruffianon Thesaurus.com Words Nearbyruffian rufescent
"Muscle" originates from the Latin word for "little mouse," because physicians thought that muscles looked like little mice running under the skin. Did You Know? "Luftmensch," literally meaning "air person," is the Yiddish way of describing someone who is a bit of a dreamer. ...
Definition of Ruffian RuffianRuffian Ruf"fian (? or ?; 277), n. [F. rufien, OF. ruffen, ruffian, pimp. libertine, ake; cf. pr. & Sp. rufian, It. ruffiano; all perhaps of German or Dutch origin; cf. G. raufen to pluck, scuffle, fight, OD. roffen to pander. Cf. Ruffle ...
Its origin is uncertain, although it is thought to possibly be a blend of two Scottish words, bleber (to babble), and skellum (a rascal). Mawworm Definition: a mealymouthed sanctimonious hypocrite Examples: We therefore protest to-day against these "Mawworms" of the press, who are ...