Rough a. [Compar. Rougher superl. Roughest.]
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.”
(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.
More unequal than the roughest sea. --T. Burnet.
(d) Marked by coarseness; shaggy; ragged; disordered; -- said of dress, appearance, or the like; as, a rough coat. “A visage rough.” --Dryden. “Roughsatyrs.” --Milton.
2. Hence, figuratively, lacking refinement, gentleness, or polish. Specifically: (a) Not courteous or kind; harsh; rude; uncivil; as, a rough temper.
A fiend, a fury, pitiless and rough. --Shak.
A surly boatman, rough as wayes or winds. --Prior.
(b) Marked by severity or violence; harsh; hard; as, rough measures or actions.
On the rough edge of battle. --Milton.
A quicker and rougher remedy. --Clarendon.
Kind words prevent a good deal of that perverseness which rough and imperious usage often produces. --Locke.
(c) Loud and hoarse; offensive to the ear; harsh; grating; -- said of sound, voice, and the like; as, a rough tone; rough numbers.
(d) Austere; harsh to the taste; as, rough wine. (e) Tempestuous; boisterous; stormy; as, rough weather; a rough day.
He stayeth his rough wind. --Isa. xxvii. 8.
Time and the hour runs through the roughest day. --Shak.
(f) Hastily or carelessly done; wanting finish; incomplete; as, a rough estimate; a rough draught.
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.”
(b) Produced offhand. “Some rough and ready theory.”