Associations to the word «Ruffian»

Wiktionary

RUFFIAN, noun. A scoundrel, rascal, or unprincipled, deceitful, brutal and unreliable person.
RUFFIAN, noun. (obsolete) A pimp; a pander.
RUFFIAN, noun. (obsolete) A lover; a paramour.
RUFFIAN, verb. To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult.
RUFFIAN, adjective. Brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous.

Dictionary definition

RUFFIAN, noun. A cruel and brutal fellow.

Wise words

Words are always getting conventionalized to some secondary meaning. It is one of the works of poetry to take the truants in custody and bring them back to their right senses.
William Butler Yeats