from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Rough \Rough\, a. [Compar. {Rougher}; superl. {Roughest}.] [OE.
rou?, rou, row, rugh, ruh, AS. r?h; akin to LG. rug, D. rug,
D. ruig, ruw, OHG. r?h, G. rauh, rauch; cf. Lith. raukas
wrinkle, rukti to wrinkle. [root] 18. Cf. {Rug}, n.]
1. Having inequalities, small ridges, or points, on the
surface; not smooth or plain; as, a rough board; a rough
stone; rough cloth. Specifically:
(a) Not level; having a broken surface; uneven; -- said of
a piece of land, or of a road. "Rough, uneven ways."
--Shak.
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(b) Not polished; uncut; -- said of a gem; as, a rough
diamond.
(c) Tossed in waves; boisterous; high; -- said of a sea or
other piece of water.
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More unequal than the roughest sea. --T. Burnet.
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(d) Marked by coarseness; shaggy; ragged; disordered; --
said of dress, appearance, or the like; as, a rough
coat. "A visage rough." --Dryden. "Roughsatyrs."
--Milton.
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2. Hence, figuratively, lacking refinement, gentleness, or
polish. Specifically:
(a) Not courteous or kind; harsh; rude; uncivil; as, a
rough temper.
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A fiend, a fury, pitiless and rough. --Shak.
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A surly boatman, rough as wayes or winds.
--Prior.
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(b) Marked by severity or violence; harsh; hard; as, rough
measures or actions.
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On the rough edge of battle. --Milton.
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A quicker and rougher remedy. --Clarendon.
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Kind words prevent a good deal of that
perverseness which rough and imperious usage
often produces. --Locke.
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(c) Loud and hoarse; offensive to the ear; harsh; grating;
-- said of sound, voice, and the like; as, a rough
tone; rough numbers. --Pope.
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(d) Austere; harsh to the taste; as, rough wine.
(e) Tempestuous; boisterous; stormy; as, rough weather; a
rough day.
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He stayeth his rough wind. --Isa. xxvii.
8.
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Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.
--Shak.
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(f) Hastily or carelessly done; wanting finish;
incomplete; as, a rough estimate; a rough draught.
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{Rough diamond}, an uncut diamond; hence, colloquially, a
person of intrinsic worth under a rude exterior.
{Rough and ready}.
(a) Acting with offhand promptness and efficiency. "The
rough and ready understanding." --Lowell.
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(b) Produced offhand. "Some rough and ready theory."
--Tylor.
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