Word
ruff
US/ˈɹəf/
UK/ɹˈʌf/
Definition
n. a stiff, circular collar made of folded fabric that was popular in the 16th and 17th centuries. It can also mean a ring of colored feathers or fur around an animal's neck.
n. a wide, pleated collar of starched linen or lace worn in the late 16th and early 17th centuries; also refers to a fringe of distinctive hair or feathers around the neck of an animal.
Examples
“The queen wore a large lace ruff in the portrait.”
“Historical dramas often require elaborate costumes, including the stiff ruffs that were fashionable during the Elizabethan era.”
“The male bird displays a magnificent ruff of iridescent feathers during the mating season to attract a mate and signal his genetic fitness.”
Examples
simple
“The queen wore a large lace ruff in the portrait.”
contextual
“Historical dramas often require elaborate costumes, including the stiff ruffs that were fashionable during the Elizabethan era.”
complex
“The male bird displays a magnificent ruff of iridescent feathers during the mating season to attract a mate and signal his genetic fitness.”
Usage
Commonly used in historical fashion contexts or ornithological descriptions.
Real-World Examples
“Touchstone (Jonnie Broadbent, bare-chested with lacy ruff) is a comic highlight, Jaques’ (Katherine Pearce) “All the world’s a stage” speech is quietly moving and Shalam is a commanding Rosalind, full of charm and cheek.” Domains
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/ruff