Meaning & use
ruffian
Last updated
A violent, lawless person, especially one who behaves in a rough or brutal way.
See it in a sentence
A gang of ruffians harassed shopkeepers along the waterfront.
The knight was ambushed by ruffians on the forest road.
A note on using this word
The word entered English in the 16th century, possibly from Italian ruffiano, originally meaning a pimp or scoundrel.
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