1. decorative frilled or pleated collars worn around the neck, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries
Usage: historical
2. circular arrangements of long feathers or fur around the necks of certain birds and animals
3. medium-sized sandpipers, the males of which develop elaborate neck feathers during breeding season
Usage: ornithology

Examples

• The portrait showed nobles wearing elaborate white ruffs around their necks.
• Elizabethan fashion featured starched ruffs that required special supports.
• The male lion’s thick ruff made him appear more intimidating.
• During mating season, the bird’s colorful ruff becomes more pronounced.
• Ruffs are migratory shorebirds that breed in northern Europe and Asia.
• The museum displayed several period costumes with intricate lace ruffs.
• Wildlife photographers waited patiently to capture the ruff’s mating display.