ruffian

词源不详，可能来自 rough 的发音拼写讹误。比较 enough.

ruffian (n.)

1530s, "a boisterous, brutal fellow, one ready to commit any crime," from Middle French rufian "a pimp" (15c.), from Italian ruffiano "a pander, pimp," of uncertain origin, perhaps from a Germanic source related to rough (adj.), but Dutch roffiaan, German Ruffian are said to be from French. English meaning might have been influenced by similarity of sound to rough. Related: Ruffianly.

The Romanic words (such as Medieval Latin ruffianus, Provençal rufian, Catalan rufia, Spanish rufian) preserve the sense of "protector or owner of whores." For sense evolution in English, compare bully (n.).

1. The ruffian threatened to run his victim through if he did not hand over all his money.

暴徒恐吓受害者说如果他不把所有的钱都交出来,就捅死他.

2. He himself was a bad commander, a boaster and ruffian.

他本人是个弊脚的指挥官, 会吹牛皮,又粗鲁残暴.

3. The doctor struck out suddenly and stretched the ruffian on the ground.

医生突然伸手打他,把这个坏蛋打倒在地下.

4. The mere thought of the ruffian made her shudder.

她一想到那个恶棍就不寒而栗.

5. That ruffian is capable of any crime.

那个恶棍什么勾当都做得出来.