ripper
[ rip-er ]
/ ˈrɪp ər /
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noun
a person or thing that rips.
Also ripper bill, ripper act . a legislative bill or act for taking powers of appointment to and removal from office away from the usual holders of these powers and conferring them unrestrictedly on a chief executive, as a governor or mayor, or on a board of officials.
a double-ripper.
a killer who dispatches and often mutilates victims with a knife or similar weapon.
Mining. a hooklike tool, attached to earth-moving machinery, for tearing away ore, rock, etc.
Chiefly British Slang. something especially strong, fine, or good of its kind.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Words nearby ripper
Ripley, ripoff, rip on, riposte, ripped, ripper, ripping, ripple, ripple control, ripple effect, ripplegrass
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for ripper
ripper
/ (ˈrɪpə) /
noun
a person who rips
a murderer who dissects or mutilates his victims' bodies
informal, mainly Australian and NZ a fine or excellent person or thing
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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