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gruffness

   Also found in: Legal, Encyclopedia 0.01 sec.
gruff  (grf)
adj. gruff·er, gruff·est
1. Brusque or stern in manner or appearance: a gruff reply.
2. Hoarse; harsh: a gruff voice.
[Dutch grof, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German.]
gruffly adv.
gruffness n.
Synonyms: gruff, brusque, blunt, bluff2, curt, crusty
These adjectives mean abrupt and sometimes discourteous in manner or speech. Gruff implies roughness or surliness but does not necessarily suggest rudeness: a gruff reply.
Brusque emphasizes rude abruptness: a brusque manner.
Blunt stresses utter frankness and usually a disconcerting directness: a blunt refusal.
Bluff refers to unpolished, unceremonious manner but usually implies hearty good nature: a bluff and courageous sailor.
Curt denotes usually rude briefness and abruptness of speech: a curt letter of rejection.
Crusty suggests a rough and forbidding manner that sometimes conceals benevolence of spirit: a crusty old gentlemen who feeds stray cats.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.gruffness - a throaty harshness
hoarseness, huskiness
harshness, roughness - the quality of being unpleasant (harsh or rough or grating) to the senses
2.gruffness - an abrupt discourteous manner
abruptness, brusqueness, curtness, shortness
rudeness, discourtesy - a manner that is rude and insulting
Translations
gruffness [ˈgrʌfnɪs] N [of voice] → ronquera f; [of person, manner] → brusquedad f
gruffness
n (of voice) → Barschheit f; (of person, manner) → Barschheit f, → Schroffheit f
gruffness [ˈgrʌfnɪs] n → rudezza, scontrosità
gruffness [ˈgrʌfnɪs] n → rudezza, scontrosità


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
It was significant of the man that, notwithstanding his hour of triumph, he did not depart in the slightest degree from the cold gruffness of his tone.
A Millionaire of Yesterday by Oppenheim, E. Phillips View in context
His gruffness was little more than a protection which he wore to hide a complete disillusionment; and to Philip it seemed tragic to see him just waiting for death, not impatiently, but rather with loathing for it, hating old age and unable to resign himself to its limitations, and yet with the feeling that death was the only solution of the bitterness of his life.
Of Human Bondage by Maugham, W. Somerset View in context
Miss Howard blinked, and a new note crept into the gruffness of her voice.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Christie, Agatha View in context
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