Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RUFF, n. [Arm. rouffenn, a wrinkle; W. rhevu, to thicken.]

1. A piece of plaited linen worn by females around the neck. – Addison.
2. Something puckered or plaited. – Pope.
3. A small fish, a species of Perca. – Walton.
4. A bird of the genus Tringa, with a tuft of feathers around the neck of the male, whence the name. The female is called reeve. – Ed. Encyc.
5. A state of roughness. [Sax. hreof. Obs.] – Chapman.
6. Pride; elevation; as, princes in the ruff of all their glory. – L'Estrange.
7. A particular species of pigeon.
8. At cards, the act of winning the trick by trumping the cards of another suit. [D. troef, troeven.]