noun a projecting collar or frill on the neck of a bird or other animal
A ruff is a projecting frill or circular collar of starched muslin or lace worn in the 16th and 17th centuries.
In card games, especially in poker, a ruff is a trump card played in order to win a trick.
Participants in historical reenactments may wear ruffs as part of their period-appropriate attire.
In ornithology, a ruff is a small Eurasian sandpiper with a distinctive breeding plumage.
The word 'ruff' may be used metaphorically in poetry and literature to describe something frilly, ornate, or elaborate.
Ruffs are often used in theatrical costuming to add historical or dramatic flair to a character's outfit.
In the context of a writer, 'ruff' may be used to describe a rough draft or a preliminary version of a piece of writing.
A psychologist may use 'ruff' to refer to a rough or preliminary assessment of a patient's mental health or behavior.