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.

(b) Produced offhand. "Some rough and ready theory." Tylor.

Rough
(Rough), n.

1. Boisterous weather. [Obs.] Fletcher.

2. A rude fellow; a coarse bully; a rowdy.

In the rough, in an unwrought or rude condition; unpolished; as, a diamond or a sketch in the rough.

Contemplating the people in the rough.
Mrs. Browning.

Rough
(Rough), adv. In a rough manner; rudely; roughly.

Sleeping rough on the trenches, and dying stubbornly in their boats.
Sir W. Scott.

Rough
(Rough), v. t.

1. To render rough; to roughen.

2. To break in, as a horse, especially for military purposes. Crabb.

(d) Marked by coarseness; shaggy; ragged; disordered; — said of dress, appearance, or the like; as, a rough coat. "A visage rough." Dryden. "Roughsatyrs." Milton.

2. Hence, figuratively, lacking refinement, gentleness, or polish. Specifically: (a) Not courteous or kind; harsh; rude; uncivil; as, a rough temper.

A fiend, a fury, pitiless and rough.
Shak.

A surly boatman, rough as wayes or winds.
Prior.

(b) Marked by severity or violence; harsh; hard; as, rough measures or actions.

On the rough edge of battle.
Milton.

A quicker and rougher remedy.
Clarendon.

Kind words prevent a good deal of that perverseness which rough and imperious usage often produces.
Locke.

(c) Loud and hoarse; offensive to the ear; harsh; grating; — said of sound, voice, and the like; as, a rough tone; rough numbers. Pope.

(d) Austere; harsh to the taste; as, rough wine. (e) Tempestuous; boisterous; stormy; as, rough weather; a rough day.

He stayeth his rough wind.
Isa. xxvii. 8.

Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.
Shak.

(f) Hastily or carelessly done; wanting finish; incomplete; as, a rough estimate; a rough draught.


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