a. [ Compar. Rougher superl. Roughest. ] [ OE. rou&unr_;, rou, row, rugh, ruh, AS. r&unr_;h; akin to LG. rug, D. rug, D. ruig, ruw, OHG. r&unr_;h, G. rauh, rauch; cf. Lith. raukas wrinkle, rukti to wrinkle. √ 18. Cf. Rug, n. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]
(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. [ 1913 Webster ]
More unequal than the roughest sea. T. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]
(d) Marked by coarseness; shaggy; ragged; disordered; -- said of dress, appearance, or the like; as, a rough coat. “A visage rough.” Dryden. “Roughsatyrs.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Hence, figuratively, lacking refinement, gentleness, or polish. Specifically: (a) Not courteous or kind; harsh; rude; uncivil; as, a rough temper. [ 1913 Webster ]
A fiend, a fury, pitiless and rough. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
A surly boatman, rough as wayes or winds. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]
(b) Marked by severity or violence; harsh; hard; as, rough measures or actions. [ 1913 Webster ]
On the rough edge of battle. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
A quicker and rougher remedy. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]
Kind words prevent a good deal of that perverseness which rough and imperious usage often produces. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]
(c) Loud and hoarse; offensive to the ear; harsh; grating; -- said of sound, voice, and the like; as, a rough tone; rough numbers. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]
(d) Austere; harsh to the taste; as, rough wine. (e) Tempestuous; boisterous; stormy; as, rough weather; a rough day. [ 1913 Webster ]
He stayeth his rough wind. Isa. xxvii. 8. [ 1913 Webster ]
Time and the hour runs through the roughest day. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
(f) Hastily or carelessly done; wanting finish; incomplete; as, a rough estimate; a rough draught. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ] (b) Produced offhand. “Some rough and ready theory.” Tylor. [ 1913 Webster ]