ruffians
|ruf-fi-ans|
/ˈrʌf.i.ənz/
(ruffian)
violent person
Etymology
'ruffian' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'ruffiano', where the root referred to a pimp or swaggerer.
'ruffian' changed from Italian 'ruffiano' (and via Middle French forms) into Middle English forms such as 'rufyane' and eventually became the modern English word 'ruffian'.
Initially, it meant 'pimp' or 'procurer', but over time it evolved into the current meaning of 'violent or lawless person; thug'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'ruffian': rough, violent, or lawless people; thugs or bullies.
The streets were unsafe at night because of groups of ruffians.
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Antonyms
Noun 2
(archaic) plural form of 'ruffian' used to mean pimps or procurers in older usage.
In some 17th-century plays, ruffians are portrayed as pimps rather than street thugs.
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Idioms
Last updated: 2025/12/01 18:37