DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
3.137.200.56

Search for:
[Show options]
[Pronunciation] [Help] [Database Info] [Server Info]

1 definition found

From: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

 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.”