bluff

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1 1.2.1 Noun 1.2.1.1 Translations 1.2.2 Verb 1.2.2.1 Translations 1.2.3 Derived terms 1.3 Etymology 2 1.3.1 Noun 1.3.1.1 Translations 1.3.2 Adjective 1.3.2.1 Translations 1.3.3 References 2 Danish 2.1 Alternative forms 2.2 Etymology 2.3 Noun 2.3.1 Related terms

[edit] English

Wikipedia

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /blʌf/, SAMPA: /blVf/
• Rhymes: -ʌf

[edit] Etymology 1

From Dutch bluffen (“‘brag’”) or bluf (“‘bragging’”).

[edit] Noun

bluff (plural bluffs)

1. An act of bluffing; an expression of self-confidence for the purpose of intimidation; braggadocio; as, that is only bluff, or a bluff.
2. (poker) An attempt to represent yourself as holding a stronger hand than you do.

   John's bet was a bluff, he bet without even so much as a pair.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to bluff (third-person singular simple present bluffs, present participle bluffing, simple past and past participle bluffed)

1. To make a bluff.

   John bluffed by betting without even a pair.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Derived terms

• bluffer
• double bluff
• triple bluff
• quadruple bluff
• semi-bluff

[edit] Etymology 2

Related to Middle Low German blaff, "smooth".

[edit] Noun

bluff (plural bluffs)

1. A high, steep bank, as by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face.
2. (Canadian Prairies) A small wood or stand of trees, typically poplar or willow.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Adjective

bluff (comparative bluffer, superlative bluffest)

1. Having a broad, flattened front; as, the bluff bows of a ship.
2. Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front.
3. Surly; churlish; gruff; rough.
   • 1883: Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island

     ...he had a bluff, rough-and-ready face, all roughened and reddened and lined in his long travels.

4. Abrupt; roughly frank; unceremonious; blunt; brusque; as, a bluff answer; a bluff manner of talking; a bluff sea captain.

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

• “bluff” in the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, Second Edition, Oxford University Press, 2004.

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[edit] Danish

[edit] Alternative forms

• bluf

[edit] Etymology

From English bluff.

[edit] Noun

bluff n.

1. bluff

[edit] Related terms

• bluffe
• bluffer
• bluffmager
• blufmager