rue /ruː / (rues , ruing , rued )
1 VERB If you rue something that you have done, you are sorry that you did it, because it has had unpleasant results. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] Tavare was probably ruing his decision.
2 PHRASE If you rue the day that you did something, you are sorry that you did it, because it has had unpleasant results. [LITERARY ] □ You'll live to rue the day you said that to me, my girl.
rue|ful /ruː fʊl/ ADJ If someone is rueful , they feel or express regret or sorrow in a quiet and gentle way. [LITERARY ] □ He shook his head and gave me a rueful smile. ● rue|ful|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ He grinned at her ruefully.
ruff /rʌ f/ (ruffs )
1 N‑COUNT A ruff is a stiff strip of cloth or other material with many small folds in it, which some people wore round their neck in former times. □ …an Elizabethan ruff.
2 N‑COUNT A ruff is a thick band of feathers or fur round the neck of a bird or animal.
ruf|fian /rʌ fiən/ (ruffians ) N‑COUNT A ruffian is a man who behaves violently and is involved in crime. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …gangs of ruffians who lurk about intent on troublemaking.
ruf|fle /rʌ f ə l/ (ruffles , ruffling , ruffled )
1 VERB If you ruffle someone's hair, you move your hand backwards and forwards through it as a way of showing your affection towards them. □ [V n] 'Don't let that get you down,' he said ruffling Ben's dark curls.
2 VERB When the wind ruffles something such as the surface of the sea, it causes it to move gently in a wave-like motion. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] The evening breeze ruffled the pond.
3 VERB If something ruffles someone, it causes them to panic and lose their confidence or to become angry or upset. □ [V n] I could tell that my refusal to allow him to ruffle me infuriated him.
4 VERB If a bird ruffles its feathers or if its feathers ruffle , they stand out on its body, for example when it is cleaning itself or when it is frightened. □ [V n] Tame birds, when approached, will stretch out their necks and ruffle their neck feathering. □ [V ] Its body plumage suddenly began to ruffle and swell.
5 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Ruffles are folds of cloth at the neck or the ends of the arms of a piece of clothing, or are sometimes sewn on things as a decoration. □ …a white blouse with ruffles at the neck and cuffs.
6 PHRASE To ruffle someone's feathers means to cause them to become very angry, nervous, or upset. □ His direct, often abrasive approach will doubtless ruffle a few feathers.
ruf|fled /rʌ f ə ld/
1 ADJ Something that is ruffled is no longer smooth or neat. □ Her short hair was oddly ruffled and then flattened around her head.
2 → see also ruffle
rug /rʌ g/ (rugs )
1 N‑COUNT A rug is a piece of thick material that you put on a floor. It is like a carpet but covers a smaller area. □ A Persian rug covered the hardwood floors.
2 N‑COUNT A rug is a small blanket which you use to cover your shoulders or your knees to keep them warm. [mainly BRIT ] □ The old lady was seated in her chair at the window, a rug over her knees.
3 PHRASE If someone pulls the rug from under a person or thing or pulls the rug from under someone's feet , they stop giving their help or support. □ If the banks opt to pull the rug from under the ill-fated project, it will go into liquidation.
4 to sweep something under the rug → see sweep
rug|by ◆◇◇ /rʌ gbi/ N‑UNCOUNT Rugby or rugby football is a game played by two teams using an oval ball. Players try to score points by carrying the ball to their opponents' end of the field, or by kicking it over a bar fixed between two posts.
ru g|by ta ck|le (rugby tackles , rugby tackling , rugby tackled )
1 N‑COUNT A rugby tackle is a way of making someone fall over by throwing your arms around their legs or hips.
2 VERB To rugby tackle someone means to make them fall over by throwing your arms around their legs or hips. □ [V n] He rugby tackled her and stole her bag. □ [be V -ed] He was rugby tackled by a police officer after breaking through police lines.
rug|ged /rʌ g I d/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A rugged area of land is uneven and covered with rocks, with few trees or plants. [LITERARY ] □ …rugged mountainous terrain. ● rug|ged|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ …a ruggedly beautiful wilderness. ● rug|ged|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ The island's ruggedness symbolises our history and the character of the people.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a man as rugged , you mean that he has strong, masculine features. [LITERARY , APPROVAL ] □ A look of pure disbelief crossed Shankly's rugged face. ● rug|ged|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV -ed] □ He was six feet tall and ruggedly handsome.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone's character as rugged , you mean that they are strong and determined, and have the ability to cope with difficult situations. [APPROVAL ] □ Rugged individualism forged America's frontier society.
4 ADJ A rugged piece of equipment is strong and is designed to last a long time, even if it is treated roughly. □ The camera combines rugged reliability with unequalled optical performance and speed. ● rug|ged|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ The body is 90% titanium for ruggedness.
rug|ger /rʌ gə r / N‑UNCOUNT Rugger is the same as rugby . [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ …a rugger match.