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noun, masculine

rufian

/ʁy.fjɑ̃/

noun, masculine/ʁy.fjɑ̃/plural: rufians

ruffian (scoundrel, rascal)

Synonyms: maquereau

Borrowed from Italian ruffiano, roffia (“dirt”), from Old High German hrŭf (“eschar, crust”). Cognate with Icelandic hrufla (“to scratch”), English ruffle.