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.).
中文解释
记忆：老是喜欢摸rufang的人——流氓, 恶棍rough => ruffian.
实用例句
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.
来自《简明英汉词典》
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.
来自辞典例句
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.
来自辞典例句
4. The mere thought of the ruffian made her shudder.