ruffian

noun

1. A scoundrel, rascal, or unprincipled, deceitful, brutal and unreliable person.

   “What wilt thou on thy death-bed play the Ruffian?”

   “It was at Count Siloszech's. He'd heard her sing in the streets, with a tall, black-bearded ruffian, who accompanied her on a guitar, and a little fiddling gypsy fellow. She was a handsome woman, with hair down to her knees, but stupid as an owl.”

   “Mrs Bycourt has two boys of her own, a few years older than Cyril and perfect young ruffians. Fortunately, they are generally away at boarding-school.”

2. (obsolete)A pimp; a pander.
3. (obsolete)A lover; a paramour.

   “He [her husband] is no sooner abroad than she is instantly at home, revelling with her ruffians.”

verb

1. To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult.

   “Methinks the wind does speak aloud at land; A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements. If it hath ruffianed so upon the sea.”

adj

1. Brutal, cruel, ruffianlike.

   “ruffian rage”