bluff

a. [ Cf. OD. blaf flat, broad, blaffaert one with a broad face, also, a boaster; or G. verblüffen to confuse, LG. bluffen to frighten; to unknown origin. ] 1. Having a broad, flattened front; as, the bluff bows of a ship. “Bluff visages.” Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front. “A bluff or bold shore.” Falconer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Its banks, if not really steep, had a bluff and precipitous aspect. Judd. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Surly; churlish; gruff; rough. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Abrupt; roughly frank; unceremonious; blunt; brusque; as, a bluff answer; a bluff manner of talking; a bluff sea captain. “Bluff King Hal.” Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is indeed a bluff pertinacity which is a proper defense in a moment of surprise. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To act as in the game of bluff. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bluffed p. pr. & vb. n. Bluffing. ] 1. (Poker) To deter (an opponent) from taking the risk of betting on his hand of cards, as the bluffer does by betting heavily on his own hand although it may be of less value. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To frighten or deter from accomplishing a purpose by making a show of confidence in one's strength or resources; as, he bluffed me off. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A high, steep bank, as by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face. [ 1913 Webster ]

Beach, bluff, and wave, adieu. Whittier. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An act of bluffing; an expression of self-confidence for the purpose of intimidation; braggadocio; as, that is only bluff, or a bluff. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A game at cards; poker. [ U.S. ] Bartlett. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Naut.) Built with the stem nearly straight up and down. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>n. One who bluffs. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Naut.) Built with the stem nearly straight up and down. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being bluff. [ 1913 Webster ]