riffle

Definitions


[ˈrɪfl], (Verb)

Definitions:
- turn over something, especially the pages of a book, quickly and casually
(e.g: he riffled through the pages)

- shuffle (playing cards) by flicking up and releasing the corners or sides of two piles of cards so that they intermingle and may be slid together to form a single pile
(e.g: he riffled the deck of cards)


Phrases:

Origin:
early 18th century (used of the harmful effect of a storm): perhaps partly a variant of the verb rifle, and partly a variant of the verb ruffle, influenced by ripple


[ˈrɪfl], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an act or sound of riffling through something
(e.g: just a riffle through the books)

- a rocky or shallow part of a stream or river where the water flows brokenly
(e.g: the river's sweeping riffles and deep pools provide a superb habitat for salmon)


Phrases:

Origin:
early 18th century (used of the harmful effect of a storm): perhaps partly a variant of the verb rifle, and partly a variant of the verb ruffle, influenced by ripple




definition by Oxford Dictionaries