Webster's English Dictionary

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riffle

1. rif.fle \'rif-*l\ n [perh. alter. of ruffle] [2riffle] 1a: a shallow 
   extending across a stream bed and causing broken water  1b: a stretch of 
   water flowing over a riffle  2: a small wave or succession of small waves : 
   RIPPLE  3a: the act or process of shuffling (as cards)  3b: the sound made 
   while doing this 
2. riffle \'rif-(*-)lin\ vb or rif.fling 1: to form, flow over, or move in 
   riffles  2: to flip cursorily : THUMB {~ through files}  1: to ruffle 
   slightly : RIPPLE  2a: to leaf through hastily; specif : to leaf (as a 
   stack of paper ) by sliding a thumb along the edge of the leaves 2b: to 
   shuffle (playing cards) by separating the deck into two parts and r iffling 
   with the thumbs so the cards intermix 3: to manipulate (small objects) idly 
   between the fingers 
3. riffle n [prob. fr. 1riffle] 1a: any of various contrivances (as blocks 
   or rails) laid on the bottom of  a sluice or launder to make a series of 
   grooves or interstices to catch and retain a mineral (as gold) 1b: a groove 
   or interstice so formed  2: a cleat or bar fastened to an inclined surface 
   in a gold-washing apparat us to catch and hold mineral grains
4. riffle \'rif-(*-)lin\ vt or rif.fling : to run through a riffle or over 
   a series of riffles {~ ground o re}