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Dictionary Language resources

ruff3

Pronunciation: /rʌf/

Translate ruff | into French | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of ruff

verb

[no object]

(in bridge, whist, and similar card games) play a trump in a trick which was led in a different suit: declarer ruffed and then led a heart
[with object] play a trump on (a card in another suit): South ruffs a low spade

noun

an act of ruffing or opportunity to ruff: he gave his partner a spade ruff

Origin:

late 16th century (originally the name of a card game resembling whist): from Old French rouffle, a parallel formation to Italian ronfa (perhaps an alteration of trionfo 'a trump')