Noun
the act of bluffing in poker; deception by a false show of confidence in the strength of your cards

Noun
pretense that your position is stronger than it really is; "his bluff succeeded in getting him accepted"

Noun
a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

Verb
frighten someone by pretending to be stronger than one really is

Verb
deceive an opponent by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand

Adjective S.
bluntly direct and outspoken but good-natured; "a bluff but pleasant manner"; "a bluff and rugged natural leader"

Adjective S.
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"

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a.
Having a broad, flattened front; as, the bluff bows of a ship.

a.
Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front.

a.
Surly; churlish; gruff; rough.

a.
Abrupt; roughly frank; unceremonious; blunt; brusque; as, a bluff answer; a bluff manner of talking; a bluff sea captain.

n.
A high, steep bank, as by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face.

n.
An act of bluffing; an expression of self-confidence for the purpose of intimidation; braggadocio; as, that is only bluff, or a bluff.

n.
A game at cards; poker.

v. t.
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.

v. t.
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.

v. i.
To act as in the game of bluff.

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Bluff

Bluff , a. [Cf. OD. blaf flat, broad, blaffaert one with a broad face, also, a boaster; or G. verbl'81ffen 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.]

Bluff

Bluff, v. i. To act as in the game of bluff.

Having a broad, flattened front; as, the bluff bows of a ship.

A high, steep bank, as by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face.

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.

To act as in the game of bluff.