Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a gruff manner.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a gruff manner.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb in a gruff manner

Etymologies

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Examples

  • He said her name gruffly, and then he met her eyes and could say nothing else.

    Starchild Omnibus Pohl, Frederik & Williamson, Jack 1963

  • He took down the receiver with no undue haste and answered the call gruffly, but his bored expression changed rapidly as he listened.

    The Shadow of the East

  • She came in, pushed the door to, stood close to my bed-side and said again gruffly, "What is it?"

    Prisons and Prisoners: Some Personal Experiences 1914

  • "Come in," Billiard called gruffly in response to her knock, though inwardly he was quaking with fear lest it might be the sheriff or Uncle

    Tabitha's Vacation Ruth Alberta Brown

  • He called gruffly into the silence of the house, and his speech held the surliness of his attitude.

    Pardners Rex Ellingwood Beach 1913

  • He touched his cap at the Deity's name, and called gruffly at his son:

    Privy Seal His Last Venture Ford Madox Ford 1906

  • She paused and went no further, for a red-shirted river-driver with brass rings in his ears came close to them, and called gruffly for whiskey.

    The Right of Way — Volume 01 Gilbert Parker 1897

  • She paused and went no further, for a red-shirted river-driver with brass rings in his ears came close to them, and called gruffly for whiskey.

    The Right of Way — Complete Gilbert Parker 1897

  • She paused and went no further, for a red-shirted river-driver with brass rings in his ears came close to them, and called gruffly for whiskey.

    The Project Gutenberg Complete Works of Gilbert Parker Gilbert Parker 1897

  • The lady who was cooking came out and kind of gruffly asked James, who speaks no Spanish, if that was really what he wanted.

    Part 15: El Camino de Santiago 2008

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