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, Proven?al rufian, Catalan rufia, Spanish rufian) preserve the sense of "protector or owner of whores." For sense evolution in English, compare bully (n.).
例文
1. The ruffian threatened to run his victim through if he did not hand over all his money.
暴徒は、すべてのお金を出さなければ刺し殺すと被害者を恐喝した。
2.He himself was a bad commander，a boaster and ruffian .
本人は悪脚の指揮官で、ほらを吹いたり、乱暴で残虐だったりする。
3.The doctor struck out suddenly and stretched the ruffian on the ground.
医者は突然手を伸ばして彼を殴って、この悪党を地下に倒した。
4.The mere thought of the ruffian made her shudder.