Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Rib

Rib

,
Noun.
[AS.
rib
,
ribb
; akin to D.
rib
, G.
rippe
, OHG.
rippa
,
rippi
, Dan.
ribbe
, Icel.
rif
, Russ.
rebro
.]
1.
(Anat.)
One of the curved bones attached to the vertebral column and supporting the lateral walls of the thorax.
☞ In man there are twelve ribs on each side, of which the upper seven are directly connected with the sternum by cartilages, and are called sternal, or true, ribs. The remaining five pairs are called asternal, or false, ribs, and of these each of the three upper pairs is attached to the cartilage of the rib above, while the two lower pairs are free at the ventral ends, and are called floating ribs. See
Thorax
.
2.
That which resembles a rib in form or use.
Specifically:
(a)
(Shipbuilding)
One of the timbers, or bars of iron or steel, that branch outward and upward from the keel, to support the skin or planking, and give shape and strength to the vessel.
(b)
(Mach. & Structures)
A ridge, fin, or wing, as on a plate, cylinder, beam, etc., to strengthen or stiffen it.
(c)
One of the rods on which the cover of an umbrella is extended.
(d)
A prominent line or ridge, as in cloth.
(e)
A longitudinal strip of metal uniting the barrels of a double-barreled gun.
3.
(Bot.)
The chief nerve, or one of the chief nerves, of a leaf.
(b)
Any longitudinal ridge in a plant.
4.
(Arch.)
(a)
In Gothic vaulting, one of the primary members of the vault. These are strong arches, meeting and crossing one another, dividing the whole space into triangles, which are then filled by vaulted construction of lighter material. Hence, an imitation of one of these in wood, plaster, or the like.
(b)
A projecting mold, or group of moldings, forming with others a pattern, as on a ceiling, ornamental door, or the like.
5.
(Mining)
(a)
Solid coal on the side of a gallery; solid ore in a vein.
(b)
An elongated pillar of ore or coal left as a support.
Raymond.
6.
A wife; – in allusion to Eve, as made out of Adam’s rib.
[Familiar & Sportive]
How many have we known whose heads have been broken with their own
rib
.
Bp. Hall.
Chuck rib
,
a cut of beef immediately in front of the middle rib. See
Chuck
.
Fore ribs
,
a cut of beef immediately in front of the sirloin.
Middle rib
,
a cut of beef between the chuck rib and the fore ribs.
Rib grass
.
(Bot.)
Same as
Ribwort
.

Rib

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Ribbed
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Ribbing
.]
1.
To furnish with ribs; to form with rising lines and channels;
as, to
rib
cloth
.
2.
To inclose, as with ribs, and protect; to shut in.
It [lead] were too gross
To
rib
her cerecloth in the obscure grave.
Shakespeare
To rib land
,
to leave strips of undisturbed ground between the furrows in plowing.

Webster 1828 Edition


Rib

RIB

,
Noun.
[L. costa, signifies side, border, extremity.]
1.
A bone of animal bodies which forms a part of the frame of the thorax. The ribs in the human body are twelve on each side, proceeding from the spine to the sternum, or towards it, and serving to inclose and protect the heart and lungs.
2.
In ship building, a piece of timber which forms or strengthens the side of a ship.
Ribs of a parrel, are short pieces of plank, having holes through which are reeved the two parts of the parrel-rope.
3.
In botany, the continuation of the petiole along the middle of a leaf, and from which the veins take their rise.
4.
In cloth, a prominent line or rising, like a rib.
5.
Something long, thin and narrow; a strip.

RIB

, v.t.
1.
To furnish with ribs. In manufactures, to form with rising lines and channels; as, to rib cloth; whence we say, ribbed cloth.
2.
To inclose with ribs.

Definition 2024


rib

rib

See also: RIB

English

Noun

rib (plural ribs)

  1. Any of a series of long curved bones occurring in 12 pairs in humans and other animals and extending from the spine to or toward the sternum
  2. A part or piece, similar to a rib, and serving to shape or support something
  3. A cut of meat enclosing one or more rib bones
  4. (nautical) Any of several curved members attached to a ship's keel and extending upward and outward to form the framework of the hull
  5. Any of several transverse pieces that provide an aircraft wing with shape and strength
  6. (architecture) A long, narrow, usually arched member projecting from the surface of a structure, especially such a member separating the webs of a vault
  7. (knitting) A raised ridge in knitted material or in cloth
  8. (botany) The main, or any of the prominent veins of a leaf
  9. A teasing joke
  10. (Ireland, colloquial) A single strand of hair.
  11. A stalk of celery.
  12. (archaic, literary, humorous) A wife or woman.
    • George Borrow, Wild Wales, 1862:
      'Near to it was the portrait of his rib, Dame Middleton.'

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

rib (third-person singular simple present ribs, present participle ribbing, simple past and past participle ribbed)

  1. To shape, support, or provide something with a rib or ribs.
  2. To tease or make fun of someone in a good-natured way.
    He always gets ribbed for his outrageous shirts.
  3. To enclose, as if with ribs, and protect; to shut in.
    • Shakespeare
      It [lead] were too gross / To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave.
  4. (transitive) To leave strips of undisturbed ground between the furrows in ploughing (land).

Translations

Anagrams


Dutch

Pronunciation

Etymology

From Middle Dutch ribbe, from Old Dutch *ribba, from Proto-Germanic *ribjō.

Noun

rib m (plural ribben, diminutive ribje n)

  1. (anatomy) rib
    Je **** haar ribben tellen. ― She is so skinny. (literally: You can count her ribs.)
    Dat is een rib uit mijn lijf. ― That is so expensive. (literally: That's a rib from my body.)
  2. a truss (wooden frame)

Lojban

Rafsi

rib

  1. rafsi of cribe.

Scottish Gaelic

Verb

rib (past rib, future ribidh, verbal noun ribeadh, past participle ribte)

  1. trap, ensnare

Related terms


Yapese

Adverb

rib

  1. very