Hypertext Webster Gateway: "bluff"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Bluff \Bluff\, 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.]
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.]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Bluff \Bluff\, v. i.
To act as in the game of bluff.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Bluff \Bluff\, a. [Cf. OD. blaf flat, broad, blaffaert one with
a broad face, also, a boaster; or G. verbl["u]ffen 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.
2. Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front. ``A bluff or
bold shore.'' --Falconer.
Its banks, if not really steep, had a bluff and
precipitous aspect. --Judd.
3. Surly; churlish; gruff; rough.
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.
There is indeed a bluff pertinacity which is a
proper defense in a moment of surprise. --I. Taylor.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Bluff \Bluff\, 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.
Beach, bluff, and wave, adieu. --Whittier.
2. An act of bluffing; an expression of self-confidence for
the purpose of intimidation; braggadocio; as, that is only
bluff, or a bluff.
3. A game at cards; poker. [U.S.] --Bartlett.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
bluff
adj 1: very steep; having a prominent and almost vertical front; "a
bluff headland"; "where the bold chalk cliffs of
England rise"; "a sheer descent of rock" [syn: {bold},
{sheer}]
2: bluntly direct and outspoken but good-natured; "a bluff but
pleasant manner"; "a bluff and rugged natural leader"
n 1: a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
2: pretense that your position is stronger than it really is;
"his bluff succeeded in getting him accepted"
3: the act of bluffing in poker; deception by a false show of
confidence in the strength of your cards [syn: {four flush}]
v 1: deceive an opponent in a card game by a bold bet on an
inferior hand with the result that the opponent
withdraws a winning hand [syn: {bluff out}]
2: frighten someone by pretending to be stronger than one
really is
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