\Bluff\, a. [Cf. OD. blaf flat, broad, blaffaert one with
a broad face, also, a boaster; or G. verbl["u]ffen 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.                   --Judd.
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. --I. Taylor.

\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.        --Whittier.
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\, 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\, v. i.
To act as in the game of bluff.