rib¹

[rib] /rɪb/

Word Origin

noun

one of a series of curved bones that are articulated with the vertebrae and occur in pairs, 12 in humans, on each side of the vertebrate body, certain pairs being connected with the sternum and forming the thoracic wall.

a cut of meat, as beef, containing a rib.

ribs, spareribs (def 2).

Architecture.

any of several archlike members of a vault supporting it at the groins, defining its distinct surfaces, or dividing these surfaces into panels: including ogives and tiercerons.
any of several molded members or moldings, including ridge ribs and liernes, and on the surface of a vault accenting the ridges or dividing the surface into panels.

something resembling a rib in form, position, or use, as a supporting or strengthening part.

a structural member that supports the shape of something:

an umbrella rib.

Nautical. any of the curved framing members in a ship's hull that rise upward and outward from the keel; frame.

a stiffening beam cast as part of a concrete slab.

a primary vein of a leaf.

10.

a vertical ridge in cloth, especially in knitted fabrics.

11.

a ridge, as in poplin or rep, caused by heavy yarn.

12.

a wife (in humorous allusion to the creation of Eve. Gen. 2:21–22).

13.

Ceramics. a scraper for smoothing clay being thrown on a potter's wheel.

14.

a metal ridge running along the top of the barrel of a firearm to simplify aligning the sights.

15.

a longitudinal strip of metal joining the barrels of a double-barreled gun.

verb (used with object), ribbed, ribbing.

16.

to furnish or strengthen with ribs.

17.

to enclose as with ribs.

18.

to mark with riblike ridges or markings.

Origin of rib¹

Old English

900

before 900; Middle English, Old English rib(b); cognate with German Rippe

Related forms

ribber, noun

ribless, adjective

riblike, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2016.
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Examples from the Web for ribber

Historical Examples

Salloo know other way, was the reply, we go round by ribber.

The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific Wilbur Lawton
What lines were to follow, and what words rhymed with "ribber" and "horn," we are not permitted to know.

The Master of Warlock George Cary Eggleston
He nebber go round: I see him come a down a ribber long afore he see a boat at all.'

Matilda Montgomerie Major (John) Richardson
Him get velly bad further on, was all the comfort Salloo could offer, but not velly far to ribber once we strike udder trail.

The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific Wilbur Lawton

British Dictionary definitions for ribber

rib¹

/rɪb/

noun

any of the 24 curved elastic arches of bone that together form the chest wall in man. All are attached behind to the thoracic part of the spinal column Technical name costa Compare true rib, false ribs, floating rib

the corresponding bone in other vertebrates

a cut of meat including one or more ribs

a part or element similar in function or appearance to a rib, esp a structural or supporting member or a raised strip or ridge

a structural member in a wing that extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge and maintains the shape of the wing surface

a projecting moulding or band on the underside of a vault or ceiling, which may be structural or ornamental

one of a series of raised rows in knitted fabric See also ribbing (sense 3)

a raised ornamental line on the spine of a book where the stitching runs across it

any of the transverse stiffening timbers or joists forming the frame of a ship's hull

10.

any of the larger veins of a leaf

11.

a metal strip running along the top of the barrel of a shotgun or handgun and guiding the alignment of the sights

12.

a vein of ore in rock

13.

a projecting ridge of a mountain; spur

verb (transitive) ribs, ribbing, ribbed

14.

to furnish or support with a rib or ribs

15.

to mark with or form into ribs or ridges

16.

to knit plain and purl stitches alternately in order to make raised rows in (knitting)

17.

(archaic) to enclose with or as if with ribs

Derived Forms

ribless, adjective
riblike, adjective

Word Origin

Old English ribb; related to Old High German rippi, Old Norse rifreef1

rib²

/rɪb/

verb ribs, ribbing, ribbed

(transitive) to tease or ridicule

noun

a joke or hoax

Word Origin

C20: short for rib-tickle (vb)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for ribber

rib

Old English ribb "rib," from Proto-Germanic *rebja- (cf. Old Norse rif, Old Saxon ribbi, Old Frisian ribb, Middle Dutch, Dutch ribbe, Old High German ribba, German Rippe), literally "a covering" (of the cavity of the chest), from PIE *rebh- "to roof, cover" (cf. Greek ereptein "to roof," Old Church Slavonic rebro "rib, reef"). As an item of food from early 15c. Rib joint "brothel" is slang from 1943, probably in reference to Adam's rib (cf. rib "woman, wife," attested from 1580s).

"tease, fool," 1930, apparently from rib (n.); perhaps as a figurative suggestion of poking someone in the ribs. Related: Ribbed; ribbing.

ribber in Medicine

rib (rĭb)
n.
One of a series of long curved bones occurring in 12 pairs in humans and extending from the spine to or toward the sternum.

ribber in Science

rib

(rĭb)

Any of a series of long, curved bones extending from the spine and enclosing the chest cavity. In mammals, reptiles, and birds, the ribs curve toward the center of the chest and in most cases attach to the sternum (breastbone). There are 12 pairs of ribs in humans. See more at skeleton.
One of the main veins of a leaf.

Slang definitions & phrases for ribber

rib

noun

: Carson sensed that he was the victim of a rib

verb

To tease; make fun of; kid, rag, ride: His trick is gently ribbing the audience (1930+)

[origin unknown; perhaps fr a symbolic nudge in the ribs]

The Dictionary of American Slang, Fourth Edition by Barbara Ann Kipfer, PhD. and Robert L. Chapman, Ph.D.
Copyright (C) 2007 by HarperCollins Publishers.
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Idioms and Phrases with ribber

rib

see: stick to the ribs

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