ruff

• Nom désignant un col ou une collerette proéminente, une garniture de plumes, de poils ou de tissu autour du cou, un oiseau présentant cette caractéristique, ou l'action d'atout dans un jeu de cartes.

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.

   Collerette de plumes ou de poils

   • 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.

   Synonymescollarfrillfringemaneneck ruff

2. Historical collarB2formal

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

   Fraise (col)

   • 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.

   Synonymesfraisefrill

3. Sandpiper birdC1formalscientific

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

   Combattant varié (oiseau)

   • 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.

   couper (au jeu de cartes)

   • 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.

   Synonymestrumptrumping

• Verbe vieilli ou tombé en désuétude signifiant se vanter, fanfaronner ou prendre des airs importants ; il a aussi historiquement désigné le fait de couper avec un atout dans les jeux de cartes (notamment au jeu de 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.

   Couper à l'atout

   • 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.

   Synonymestrump