ruffianism

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From ruffian +‎ -ism.

Noun

[edit]

ruffianism (countable and uncountable, plural ruffianisms)

  1. The behaviour of a ruffian; ruffians collectively. [from 16th c.]
    • 1874, Marcus Clarke, For the Term of his Natural Life, Penguin, published 2009, page 53:
      Each new comer was one more recruit to the ranks of ruffianism, and not a man penned in that reeking den of infamy but became a sworn hater of law, order, and “free-men.”
    • 1949, George Orwell, 1984, published 1949, page 242 (in Part III, Chapter I):
      A scrubby beard covered his face to the cheekbones, giving him an air of ruffianism that went oddly with his large weak frame and nervous movements.