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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Rough \Rough\, adjective [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}, noun]
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. (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. --Pope. (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.'' --Lowell. (b) Produced offhand. ''Some rough and ready theory.'' --Tylor.
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