See Also: rough(1)(dictionary)
rough(3)(dictionary)
rough(2)(dictionary)
Rough(medicine)
rough and tumble(dictionary)
rough paper(dictionary)
rough-and-tumble(dictionary)
rough-rider(dictionary)
Rough Rider(encyclopedia)
Rough Riders, the(dictionary)

rough(2) (iou)



rough noun. ME.
[from the adjective.]
I. The rough or uneven part or surface of something. rare. Only in ME.
a. Rough or broken ground. poet. LME.
Wordsworth O'er rough and smooth she trips along.
b. An area of rough or untilled ground, esp. one covered with undergrowth, small trees, etc. Also the roughs. E17.
Caravan Life Mountain bikes..are..for riders who want to take to the rough. Mandy Into the roughs, the marshy land below the stream.
c. Golf. The unmowed ground off the fairway between tee and green. E20.
Times He missed the green..taking three from out of the fluffy rough.
transf. The hard or disagreeable part or aspect of or of something (esp. life); rough treatment, hardship. Also, an instance of this. Freq. contrasted with smooth. LME.
C. Mackenzie Living far from the..crowd you have to take the rough with the smooth.
b. Heavy housework. Freq. in do the rough. M20.
M. Dickens Cosy discussions on clothes..and women to do the rough.
A nail driven into a horse's shoe to prevent slipping. Chiefly Scot. L19.
II.
sing. & in pl. Unrefined or refuse material left after a technical process, as the working of minerals or the threshing of corn. L17.
a. A rough or provisional draft, sketch, etc. L17.
Campaign The work should be run as roughs rather than being typeset.
b. gen. The unfinished, provisional, or natural state of something. L18.
c. (An) uncut precious stone; esp. an uncut diamond. E20.
In pl. (treated as sing.). Alum used as an adulterant in bread. Now rare. M19.
A person of a rough or unrefined character; a violent or disorderly person; a ruffian. M19.
A. Paton A gang of..roughs broke in.
Phrases: bit of rough slang a (usu. male) sexual partner whose lack of sophistication or toughness is a source of physical attraction. in the rough (a) in a rough, unfinished, or provisional state; (b) in a natural state; in an everyday condition.