rip-rap
noun
civil engineering broken stones loosely deposited in water or on a soft bottom to provide a foundation and protect a riverbed or river banks from scour: used for revetments, embankments, breakwaters, etc
Nearby words
rip off, rip on, rip up, rip van winkle, rip-off, rip-rap, rip-roaring, riparian, riparian right, riparian rights, ripcord
Word Origin for rip-rap
C19: reduplication of rap 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Examples from the Web for rip-rap
When the shield had traveled 25 ft. through the rip-rap, the piles which support the bulkhead were met.
Want to rip-rap the outer edge of this water hole, so the bank will not cave in and undo all our work!
The Pony Rider Boys in New Mexico|Frank Gee PatchinThe heavy masonry bulkhead was supported on piles and rip-rap, as shown in Fig. 18.