Bluff



GRE 蓝宝 Barron TOEFL

解释

GRE 红宝书

• n. 虚张声势; 悬崖峭壁
• ［英］ n. 虚张声势 ( pretense of strength) ; 悬崖峭壁 ( high cliff)
• ［例］ She threatened to sack me, but it's all a bluff.

Webster Collegiate

I. adjective

• Etymology: obsolete Dutch blaf flat; akin to Middle Low German blaff smooth
• Date: 1627
• 1.
  • a. having a broad flattened front
  • b. rising steeply with a broad flat or rounded front
• 2. good-naturedly frank and outspoken
• ? bluffly adverb
• ? bluffness noun
• Synonyms:
  • bluff, blunt, brusque, curt, crusty, gruff mean abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner. bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality <a bluff manner>. blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings<a blunt appraisal>. brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness<a brusque response>. curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness<a curt command>. crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness<a crusty exterior>. gruff suggests a hoarse or husky speech which may imply bad temper but more often implies embarrassment or shyness<puts on a gruff pose>.

II. noun

• Date: 1666
• a high steep bank ; cliff

III. verb

• Etymology: probably from Dutch bluffen to boast, play a kind of card game
• Date: 1791
• transitive verb
  • 1.
    • a. to deter or frighten by pretense or a mere show of strength
    • b. deceive
    • c. feign <the catcher bluffed a throw to first>
  • 2. to deceive (an opponent) in cards by a bold bet on an inferior hand
• intransitive verb
  • to bluff someone ; act deceptively
• ? bluffer noun

IV. noun

• Date: 1845
• 1.
  • a. an act or instance of bluffing
  • b. the practice of bluffing
• 2. one who bluffs

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