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See also:RUFFIAN (Fr. ruffian, It. ruffiano) , a brutal, violent See also:person, a swaggering, See also:low See also:bully . The See also:etymology is obscure, but the word has been connected with " ruffier," a bully, swaggerer, one who "ruffles" (M . Du. roffeln, to pander) . An See also:early derivation, quoted in Du Cange, derives it from See also:Lat. See also:rufus, red, as the See also:hair of the mereirices, with whom the See also:ruffian were generally associated, was red or See also:gold, as contrasted with the See also:black hair of sober matrons . |
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