ruck

¹

[ ruhk ]

noun

1. a large number or quantity; mass.
2. the great mass of undistinguished or inferior persons or things.

ruck

²

[ ruhk ]

noun

1. a fold or wrinkle; crease.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become creased or wrinkled.

ruck

¹

/ rʌk /

noun

1. a wrinkle, crease, or fold

verb

1. usually foll by up to become or make wrinkled, creased, or puckered

ruck

²

/ rʌk /

noun

1. slang:prison.
   a fight

ruck

³

/ rʌk /

noun

1. slang.
   military a rucksack

ruck

⁴

/ rʌk /

noun

1. a large number or quantity; mass, esp of ordinary or undistinguished people or things
2. (in a race) a group of competitors who are well behind the leaders at the finish
3. rugby a loose scrum that forms around the ball when it is on the ground
4. Australian rules football the three players, two ruckmen and a rover, that do not have fixed positions but follow the ball closely

verb

1. intr rugby to try to win the ball by advancing over it when it is on the ground, driving opponents backward in the process

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruck¹

1175–1225; Middle English ruke, perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian ruka in same senses; akin to rick ¹

Origin of ruck²

First recorded in 1780–90, ruck is from the Old Norse word hrukka a wrinkle

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruck¹

C18: from Scandinavian; related to Old Norse hrukka

Origin of ruck²

C20: short for ruckus

Origin of ruck³

C13 (meaning ``heap of firewood''): perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse hraukr rick ¹

Example Sentences

Frank joined the ruck of the demonstrators and passed through the portals of the magnificent gate.

From Project Gutenberg

He's stuck up and citified, and wears gloves, and takes his meals private in his room, and all that sort of ruck.

From Project Gutenberg

He shoved the doctor forward, and followed him, kicking to right and left a ruck of weapons and dbris.

From Project Gutenberg

There were so much ruck and stuff under his feet that Mayo gave up searching after a time.

From Project Gutenberg

In that riot of tempest and ruck of sea he was straining his eyes, trying to get a glimpse of the hulk on Razee.

From Project Gutenberg