rig

[rig]

verb (used with object)

rigged, rigging 

1. Chiefly Nautical.

   1. to put in proper order for working or use.

   2. to fit (a ship, mast, etc.) with the necessary shrouds, stays, etc.

   3. to fit (shrouds, stays, sails, etc.) to the mast, yard, or the like.

2. to manipulate fraudulently.

   Two leading companies in the industry were fined for rigging prices.

3. to assemble, install, or prepare (often followed byup ).

4. to furnish or provide with equipment, clothing, etc.; fit (usually followed by out orup ).

   The ground crew rigged us out in leather helmets and bomber jackets.

noun

1. the arrangement of the masts, spars, sails, etc., on a boat or ship.

2. apparatus for some purpose; equipment; outfit; gear.

   Bring your rod and reel and all the rest of your fishing rig.

   This other PC over here is my main gaming rig.

3. Also called drill rig. the equipment used in drilling an oil well.

4. any combination trucking unit in which vehicles are hooked together, as a tractor-trailer.

5. any kind of truck.

6. a carriage, buckboard, sulky, or wagon together with the horse or horses that draw it.

7. Informal.,  costume or dress, especially when odd or conspicuous, or when designated for a particular purpose.

   He looks quite nifty in a butler's rig.

verb phrase

1. rig up,  to equip or set up for use.

2. rig down,  to place in an inactive state, stowing all lines, tackles, and other removable parts.

rig

¹

/ rɪɡ /

verb

1. nautical to equip (a vessel, mast, etc) with (sails, rigging, etc)

2. nautical to set up or prepare ready for use

3. to put the components of (an aircraft, etc) into their correct positions

4. to manipulate in a fraudulent manner, esp for profit

   to rig prices

   to rig an election

noun

1. nautical the distinctive arrangement of the sails, masts, and other spars of a vessel

2. In full: drilling rig. the installation used in drilling for and exploiting natural oil and gas deposits

   an oil rig

3. apparatus or equipment; gear

4. an amateur radio operator's transmitting and receiving set

5. a carriage together with one or more horses

6. an articulated lorry

rig

²

/ rɪɡ /

noun

1. dialect,  a ridge or raised strip of unploughed land in a ploughed field

Other Word Forms

• outrig verb (used with object)
• overrigged adjective
• underrigged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rig¹

First recorded in 1480–90; 1930–35 rig for def. 2; probably from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian, Swedish rigg (noun), rigga (verb)

Word History and Origins

Origin of rig¹

C15: from Scandinavian; related to Norwegian rigga to wrap

Origin of rig²

a variant of _ridge

Example Sentences

Fuller, 35, appeared to have separated from his client and a tandem rig, which connects the pair during a jump and includes the parachute.

From BBC

Two men were charged with allegedly rigging poker games at two casinos in Southern California to win more than $30,000, according to authorities.

From Los Angeles Times

Polanski will say that immigration is not the "real threat" to high streets, homes and the NHS - claiming that comes from austerity and an economic system that "rigs the rules" for billionaires.

From BBC

The original committee, led by Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, “was rigged,” according to Johnson.

From Salon

He accused its former commissioner, Ms McEntarfer, of rigging employment numbers to make him "look bad".

From BBC

Related Words

• falsify 
• fix 
• manipulate 
• tamper with