raffish
Meanings
adj
- Characterized by careless unconventionality; rakish.
- Low-class; disreputable; vulgar.
Pronunciation
Word forms
Etymology
From late 18th century raff (“persons among the lowest class in society”) + -ish, still retained in contemporary English with riffraff. From Old French raffer (“to wear away”), of Germanic origin. Compare German raffen. Compare rip (“to tear”), rap (“to snatch”).
Related words
Derived words
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