▪ I. ˈruffer1
[f. ruff v.2]
a. = ruffing trick s.v. ruffing vbl. n.1 b. A card that ruffs or trumps another (see also quot. 1611).
| 1611 Florio, Ronfatóre,..a ruffer or trumper at cardes. 1936 E. Culbertson Contract Bridge Compl. xxxix. 435 A trick made by ruffing a losing card with an otherwise worthless card of the trump suit is called a ruffer. 1974 Country Life 28 Feb. 453/3 This not only deprives South of a diamond ruff, but the trump trick comes back if South uses dummy's Ten as a ruffer. 1975 Ibid. 30 Jan. 289/3 The right way is to use his own trumps as ruffers. |
▪ II. ˈruffer2
[f. ruff v.5]
= rougher 3.
| 1853 Ure Dict. Arts (ed. 4) I. 741 The pins..are much closer placed than those of the ruffer. 1882 [see rougher 3]. |