ruff

• Substantiv, das einen Kragen oder eine Halskrause aus Federn, Haaren oder Stoff bezeichnet, eine Vogelart mit einem solchen Kragen oder eine Handlung im Kartenspiel (das Trumpfen).

A noun referring to a projecting frill or collar of feathers, hair, or fabric around the neck, or a bird species with such a feature, or a card game action of trumping.

1. Feathered or hairy neck collarB2formal

   A ring of distinctive feathers or fur around the neck of a bird or other animal.

   Feder- oder Fellkragen

   • The male frigatebird inflates its bright red ruff to attract a mate.
   • The lion's thick ruff protects its neck during fights.
   • Many birds of prey have a distinctive ruff of feathers.

   Synonymecollarfrillfringemaneneck ruff

2. Historical collarB2formal

   A stiff, pleated collar worn in the 16th and 17th centuries, often made of lace or linen.

   Halskrause

   • The queen wore an elaborate ruff made of fine lace.
   • Portraits from the Elizabethan era often show men in starched ruffs.
   • The actor's costume included a traditional ruff around the neck.

   Synonymefraisefrill

3. Sandpiper birdC1formalscientific

   A common Eurasian sandpiper, where the male develops an erectile ruff of feathers during the breeding season.

   Kampfläufer

   • The ruff is a migratory bird that breeds in northern Europe.
   • During courtship, the male ruff displays its colorful neck feathers.
   • Ornithologists study the ruff's unique mating behavior.

4. Card game trumpingB2informal

   The act of playing a trump card when unable to follow suit in a card game.

   Trumpfspiel

   • He won the trick with a clever ruff of the opponent's ace.
   • In bridge, a ruff can change the outcome of the hand.
   • She executed a successful ruff to take control of the game.

   Synonymetrumptrumping

• Veralteter oder außer Gebrauch gekommener Ausdruck für prahlen, angeben oder sich wichtig machen; historisch auch im Kartenspiel für das Ausspielen eines Trumpfes verwendet (besonders im Spiel „Ruff“).

An archaic or obsolete verb meaning to boast, brag, or swagger; also used historically to mean to play a trump card in card games (especially in the game of ruff).

1. C1formal

   In card games, to play a trump card when unable to follow suit, thereby winning the trick.

   Mit Trumpf stechen

   • He ruffed the opponent's ace with a small trump.
   • She decided to ruff the trick to gain the lead.
   • The player ruffed his partner's losing card.

   Synonymetrump