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   ruf·fle

   /ˈrəf(ə)l/

   verb

   • 1. disorder or disarrange (someone's hair), typically by running one's hands through it: "he ruffled her hair affectionately" Similar disarrangetousledishevelrumplerun one's fingers throughmake untidytumbleriffledisordermess upmake a mess oftangleinformal:mussmuss upOpposite smooth
   • ▪ (of a bird) erect (its feathers) in anger or display: "on his departure to the high wires, the starling ruffled his feathers and flirted his wings"
   • ▪ disturb the smoothness or tranquility of: "the evening breeze ruffled the surface of the pond in the yard" Similar make ripples inrippleriffleroughenOpposite smooth
   • ▪ disconcert or upset the composure of (someone): "Brian had been ruffled by her questions" Similar annoyirritateirkvexnettleneedleangerexasperatedisconcertunnerveflusterflurryagitateharassupsetdisturbdiscomfitput offput someone off their strokethrow off balancemake nervousdiscomposediscountenancecause someone to lose their composureperturbunsettlebotheraffectruffle someone's feathersworrydisquiettroubleconfuseinformal:rattlefazethrowget toput into a flapthrow into a tizzrileniggleaggravatebugmiffpeevediscombobulateshake upwind upnarkget acrossOpposite soothecalm

   noun

   • 1. a strip of lace or other material, gathered along one edge to make an ornamental frill on a garment or other piece of fabric.
   • 2. a vibrating drumbeat.

   Word Origin Middle English (as a verb): of unknown origin. Current noun senses date from the mid 17th century.

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • R

     1

   • U

     1

   • F

     4

   • F

     4

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

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