bluffly

Ⅰ.

bluff [1] ► NOUN ▪ an attempt to deceive someone into believing that one can or will do something.

► VERB ▪ try to deceive someone as to one's abilities or intentions.

● call someone's bluff — Cf. ↑call someone's bluff

DERIVATIVES bluffer noun.

ORIGIN from Dutch bluffen 'brag' .

Ⅱ.

bluff [2] ► ADJECTIVE ▪ good-naturedly frank and direct.

DERIVATIVES bluffly adverb bluffness noun.

ORIGIN originally in the sense «surly, abrupt»: figurative use of BLUFF(Cf. ↑bluffness).

Ⅲ.

bluff [3] ► NOUN ▪ a steep cliff, bank, or promontory.

► ADJECTIVE ▪ (of a cliff or a ship's bows) having a vertical or steep broad front.

ORIGIN of unknown origin.