Ruffian /(rŭf"yan [or] rŭf"fĭ*an; 277)/
Ruf·fian
Ruffian
n.
-
A pimp; a pander; also, a paramour. [Obs.]
He [her husband] is no sooner abroad than she is instantly at home, reveling with her ruffians.
-
A boisterous, cruel, brutal fellow; a desperate fellow ready for murderous or cruel deeds; a cutthroat.
Wilt thou on thy deathbed play the ruffian?
- A tough, lawless or bullying person.
Ruffian
a.
- Brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous; as, ruffian rage.
Ruffian
v. i.
- To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult. [R.]