ruffian

plural ruffians

1. A scoundrel, rascal, or unprincipled, deceitful, brutal and unreliable person.

   What wilt thou on thy death-bed play the Ruffian?

   1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], page 145, column 1

   2 more examples

   It was at Count Siloszech's. He'd heard her sing in the streets, with a tall, black-bearded ruffian, who accompanied her on a guitar, and a little fiddling gypsy fellow. She was a handsome woman, with hair down to her knees, but stupid as an owl.

   1894, George du Maurier, “Part Fifth: Little Billee: An Interlude”, in Trilby: A Novel, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, →OCLC, page 259

   Mrs Bycourt has two boys of her own, a few years older than Cyril and perfect young ruffians. Fortunately, they are generally away at boarding-school.

   1927, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados Mysteries

   Synonyms: rogue, scamp, agitator, bad boy, bad news, bear, beggar, bhoy

2. obsoleteA pimp; a pander.

   Synonyms: abbot, bludger, bully, cock-bawd, dalaal, fishmonger, flashman, fleshmonger

3. obsoleteA lover; a paramour.

   He [her husband] is no sooner abroad than she is instantly at home, revelling with her ruffians.

   1621, John Reynolds, The Triumphs of God's Revenge against the crying and execrable Sinne of Murther

present singular third person ruffians · participle present ruffianing · participle past ruffianed · past ruffianed

1. transitiveTo play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult.

   Methinks the wind does speak aloud at land; A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements. If it hath ruffianed so upon the sea.

   c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]

comparative more ruffian · superlative most ruffian

1. Brutal, cruel, ruffianlike.

   ruffian rage