ruffianism


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ruf·fi·an

 (rŭf′ē-ən, rŭf′yən)
n.
1. A tough or rowdy person.
2. A thug or gangster.
[French, pimp, from Old French rufien, from Old Provençal rufian, from Old Italian ruffiano.]
ruf′fi·an·ism n.
ruf′fi·an·ly adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ruffianism

behavior typical or characteristic of a brutal and violent person. — ruffian, n.
See also: Behavior
-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.ruffianism - violent lawless behavior
misbehavior, misbehaviour, misdeed - improper or wicked or immoral behavior
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations

ruffianism

n → Rohheit f, → Gewalttätigkeit f, → Brutalität f
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
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References in classic literature ?
It was what he wanted to do - to bring out the innate ruffianism of this man he did not like.
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This was a special body raised by the railways and colliery owners to supplement the efforts of the ordinary civil police, who were perfectly helpless in the face of the organized ruffianism which terrorized the district.
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THE NEWSOME WEAVERS' STRIKE, 1881 - BY PROFESSOR DAVID TAYLOR, EMERITUS PROFESSOR OF HISTORY, SCHOOL OF MUSIC, HUMANITIES & MEDIA, UNIVERSITY OF HUDDERSFIELD IN the spring of 1881 dramatic reports about the "Newsome outrages" appeared in the local press: "cruel ruffianism", even a "system of terrorism" was being perpetrated in a village barely a mile from Huddersfield town centre.
Dramatic days when strike action brought violence to Newsome
With both sides at a stand-off and he press demanding action from the police against the "hooliganism" and "ruffianism" on the turf, a meeting was called between the Birmingham Gang and the Sabinis.
How Billy the Kid ended his days as businessman
Haddock threatened to ban the defenseman from hockey: "We intend to put a stop to anything that savors of ruffianism." Luckily for Abel, Haddock didn't get his way.
Taffy Abel: a sault sensation: part Chippewa and all business, hockey defenseman Taffy Abel never backed down from a challenge on the ice--an attitude that earned him a place on the Stanley Cup
Jacobson notes that the "ruffianism" of bad boys' books lacks "social function" and only "satisf[y themselves.]" He particularly commends Miller for "evoking the brilliant, irrefutable pungency" of life and calls him a "funny and vivid writer."
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From the harlequinade the essential idea of flight and pursuit has been completely eliminated; and nothing remains but a pageant of aimless ruffianism ...
Pantomime transformations: genre, gender and Charley's Aunt
A fortnight later the same newspaper was "Denouncing the Ruffianism" of the Midlands fans.
RECOUNTING TALES OF FIRST TITLE WIN

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