rifeadj.adv.n.
/rʌɪf/, U.S. /raɪf/ A. adj.† 4. Great, intense. Obsolete.† 5. Widely known; famous, renowned. Obsolete (rare after 16th cent.).† 8. Strong, loud-sounding. Obsolete. rare.
1. † b. Common or customary to (also with) a person. Obsolete.
a. Of common or frequent occurrence; prevalent; widespread.
(a) Of harmful, destructive, or undesirable things or conditions.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [adjective] > general or prevalent > specifically of bad things
rifelOE
brief1706
lOE Prognostics (Hatton) in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1912) 128 57 Ðere vii niht gyf win byoð, fir byð swyðe ryfe þy geare.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) 10317 Balu wes on folke dæð þer wes rife.
c1300 St. Dominic (Laud) l. 161 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 282 (MED) Sunne is ȝeot into al þis lond, and wrechhede, al-to riue.
c1350 (a1333) William of Shoreham Poems (1902) 109 (MED) Þat senne hys ryf in londe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 1594 (MED) He thoght a neu wengaunce to sent, Hijs faas to bring al o lijf And waass þat wrang, þat was sa rijf.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1869) II. 185 The worlde..is now..constreynede as with ryfe greuaunces [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. ofte and meny diseses] to a nye dethe.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 11775 Couetous, by custome of old..rote is & rankist of all the rif syns.
a1547 Earl of Surrey in Arundel Harington MS Tudor Poetry (1960) I. 119 Syns that groo Within thie wicked walls so ryfe.
1574 Brieff Disc. Troubles Franckford p. cxxxviii Siknesse beinge so riffe in this citye.
c1616 R. C. Times' Whistle (1871) v. 2122 'Mongst such men are rife These damnd opinions.
1692 R. Bentley Boyle Lect. i. 32 So other Epidemical Vices..are rife and predominant only for a season.
1705 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels II. 101 It is rife and catching, swelling from less to greater.
1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters i. 182 Though this disorder be too rife in our country, I see no just cause for pronouncing it endemial.
1816 J. Wilson City of Plague iii. iv I wonder where will imposition end Thus rife within the dwellings of the dead!
1849 M. R. Mitford in A. G. L'Estrange Life M. R. Mitford (1870) III. 216 It [sc. small-pox] has been most rife in the neighbourhood, and very heavy.
1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest IV. xviii. 118 Even where no open outbreak took place, local conspiracies were everywhere rife.
1921 E. L. White Andivius Hedulio iii. xxvi. 382 During the civil wars between Otho and Vitellius brigandage had become rife all over Italy.
1954 S. J. Perelman Let. 23 Jan. in Don't tread on Me (1987) 161 Dissension is already rife in their ranks, the girls are spitting and scratching and tussling over the white hunters.
2005 T. Hall Salaam Brick Lane ii. 38 Political and religious divisions were rife within the community.
(b) Of good or neutral things or conditions. In modern use frequently with humorous allusion to sense A. 1a(a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [adjective] > general or prevalent > specifically of good things
rifec1275
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) 16029 Þenne scullen i Bruttene blissen wurðen riue.
c1390 Castle of Love (Vernon) (1967) l. 150 Þer ioye and blisse is so ryue.
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. 2699 (MED) For now-a-dayes swiche craft is ful rife.
c1500 (?a1437) Kingis Quair (1939) cxxi (MED) Quhare is becummyn..The songis new, the fresch carolis and dance..That quhilum was amongis thame so ryf?
a1536 W. Tyndale Expos. Fyrste, Seconde, & Thyrde Epist. St. Jhon (?1537) (2 John i. 1–3) f. 91 Hys wyshynge is playne ynoughe, for it is so ryfe in other Epistles.
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 172 I haue oft tymes bene quhair gude hes bene ryfe.
1594 T. Blundeville Exercises iv. l. f. 244 What windes and currents were most rife in euery place.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 565 As for Dipœnus, his workes were rife in Ambracia.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 139 Wagers were very rife among us.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. v. 104 The activity and noise of city day were rife in the street.
1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) 203 An area in which volcanic action must have been rife on an enormous scale.
1932 P. Balfour Society Racket i. 35 Polkamania was every bit as rife in the 'forties as jazzmania in the nineteen-twenties.
2008 Art in Amer. (Nexis) 1 Apr. 57 Belief was rife that photography could capture the immaterial presence of human souls.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [adjective] > usual or customary > to or with a person
rifea1450
usual1663
a1450 York Plays (1885) 173 (MED) W[i]th whome þat synne is riffe Will god noght be.
c1450 in F. J. Furnivall Hymns to Virgin & Christ (1867) 124 (MED) Man, hytt was þe [read to thee] fulle ryve To swere be my wowndys fyve.
c1550 (?a1475) Lament. Sinner in Anglia (1911) 34 293 Greate othes with me were full ryffe.
1573 New Custome ii. ii. sig. C ij Then shall you perceiue that Hypocrisie is rife To all kinde of men.
1654 T. Gataker Disc. Apol. 3 For it is a rife matter with thee to hear ill language from others, and as ready a matter to return the like again.
2.
a. With singular nouns: abundant, plentiful, ample. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > [adjective]
goodeOE
broadOE
fullOE
large?c1225
rifec1225
fulsomea1325
abundanta1382
plenteousa1382
copiousc1384
plentifula1400
ranka1400
aboundc1425
affluentc1425
aboundable?1440
seedy1440
manyfulc1450
ample1472
olda1500
richa1500
flowing1526
fertilent1535
wallingc1540
copy1546
abounding1560
fat1563
numbrous1566
good, great store1569
round1592
redundant1594
fruitful1604
cornucopian1609
much1609
plenty?a1610
pukka1619
redundant1621
uberant1622
swelling1628
uberous1633
numerousa1635
superfluent1648
full tide1649
lucky1649
redounding1667
numerose1692
bumper1836
prolific1890
proliferous1915
c1225 (?c1200) Hali Meiðhad (Bodl.) (1940) l. 421 (MED) Alle worldes weole ham is inoh riue; Al ha habbeð þer of þet ha wel wilnið.
c1300 St. Edmund Rich (Harl.) l. 55 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill S. Eng. Legendary (1956) 494 (MED) Oure Louerd & his holi grace mid him was wel ryue.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1252 .xii. sunes he auede bi his wif, Of him cam kinde mikil and rif.
c1455 Speculum Misericordie in PMLA (1939) 54 958 (MED) Goddis Mercy..evere is rive.
a1535 T. More Treat. Memorare Nouissima in Wks. (1557) I. 88/2 If money bee not so rife wt them.
1598 B. Yong tr. J. de Montemayor Diana 28 This greefe which I feele so rife,..I doe deserue as hire.
1614 W. Lithgow Most Delectable Disc. Peregrination sig. M2 I saw..rose-water heere in barrells, to be solde, as beere or wine is rife with vs.
1618 W. Lawson New Orchard & Garden x. 31 In the latter end of the time of grafting, when sap is somewhat rife.
1790 D. Morison Poems 130 Wha gets the lad she loves, tho' gear's nae rife, May pass a calm a lov'd and happy life.
1842 E. Bulwer-Lytton Zanoni iv. ii Where the foliage was rifest.
1968 T. Wiseman Quick & Dead 187 What expectancy was rife in your body? Were you already moist then?
2002 Sunday Mirror (Nexis) 30 June 7 He hated her playing polo. It is a world where money is rife—he wasn't the richest man there and he didn't like it.
b. With plural nouns: large in quantity or number; numerous. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > plurality > great number, numerousness > [adjective] > abundant, numerous
so manyc888
thickc893
muchc1225
rifec1275
stourc1275
unridec1300
copiousc1384
plentya1400
rivedc1400
numerable?a1425
numerous?a1475
many a several1543
rank1545
numberous1566
huge1570
multuous1586
multeous1589
numberful1594
numberable1596
numbery1606
numbersomea1617
multitudinousa1631
sand-like1630
voluminous1650
several1712
smart1750
powerful1800
multitudinarious1810
multitudinary1838
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) 7258 Þis lond wes..vul of uncuðe leoden..þa hæðene weoren swa riue & auere heo comen bililiue.
a1300 (c1250) Floris & Blauncheflur (Vitell.) (1966) 70 (MED) He..gon Blancheflur bimene Wit teres riue ase a scur of r[e]ne.
c1330 (?c1300) Reinbrun (Auch.) in J. Zupitza Guy of Warwick (1891) 666 (MED) Þai..hewe togedre hard & wel, And delde dentes riue.
a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) xxx. 12 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1896) II. 161 (MED) For in sorwe waned mi life, And mi yheres in sighinges rife.
c1440 (?a1400) Sir Perceval (1930) l. 561 (MED) His craftes are so ryfe, Þer is no man apon lyfe, With swerde, spere, ne with knyfe May stroye hym allan.
c1450 MS Douce 52 in Festschrift zum XII. Neuphilologentage (1906) 45 After mete disshes ben rybe [Rylands ryve, c1475 Rawl. D.328 ryffe] Crebrescunt vacui certe post prandia disci.
c1475 (c1399) Mum & Sothsegger (Cambr. Ll.4.14) (1936) ii. l. 5 (MED) Hertis y-heedyd..So ryff..ronne ȝoure rewme þoru-oute.
a1549 T. Sternhold Al Suche Psalmes of David (?1553) xvii. sig. C iiii Worldly men, to whom al worldly goodes are rife.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Ciii Theues neuertheles were in euery place so ryffe and ranke.
1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus i. 6 The last times, wherin the spirits of error shall be more rife than euer.
1627 G. Hakewill Apologie ii. vii. 121 Direfull comets never rifer were.
1725 A. Ramsay Gentle Shepherd i. ii. 12 Its a hartsome Thing to be a Wife, When round the Ingle-edge young Sprouts are rife.
1732 H. Fielding Lottery i. 1 Folly's a Fund, Will never lose Ground, While Fools are so rife in the Nation.
1849 R. I. Murchison Siluria v. 100 Such igneous rocks are rife upon a similar..line.
1860 C. Reade Cloister & Hearth xxxvii Great store of deer, and wild boars rife as flies at midsummer.
1916 J. Barlow Between Doubting & Daring 26 Off up the hill rang a call fluted high, Till echoes around him grew rife far and nigh.
2007 S. Richmond et al. Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei (Lonely Planet) 599/2 Amenities are rife, and the lounge bar has live music on Saturday.
c. Characterized by an abundance of; full of, abounding in.† (a) With of, in. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > [adjective] > abounding in or having abundance
fulleOE
ranka1250
broada1300
rifec1325
copiousa1387
wealthful ofa1400
plaina1450
heavy-ladenc1450
fluenta1592
onust1604
heavy1622
onusted1657
opulent1685
aflooda1729
rowtha1774
acrawl1830
lousy1843
awash1912
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 87 (MED) Þe saxons, þo in her poer þo hii were so riue, Seve kynges made in engelond.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 14837 (MED) Again his word mai naman strijf, O resun be he neuer sa rijf.
c1450 (c1350) Alexander & Dindimus (Bodl.) (1929) 501 (MED) Miche wilne we wende in þe wodus þikke, For to rome undur ris þat rif is of levus.
c1450 (a1400) Sir Eglamour (Calig.) (1965) l. 1044 When I am dede þou getys no pere, In [a1500 Cambr. of] rychesse þou art so ryfe.
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. cxliv [He] that in his costes is so ryfe.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Clarence xxxviii In al good knowledge rife.
1614 J. Sylvester tr. H. Smith Micro-cosmo-graphia 263 in Parl. Vertues His Life is rife in Pains and Fears.
1627 R. Sanderson Ten Serm. iii. iii. 397 The present age is rife of many enormous crying sinnes.
1711 A. Ramsay Elegy Maggy Johnstoun xiv Of warldly comforts she was rife.
1725 A. Ramsay Gentle Shepherd i. ii. 14 When my Pate in Bairns and Gear grows rife.
1809 T. Campbell Gertrude of Wyoming i. ix I boast no song in magic wonders rife.
1859 R. C. Singleton tr. Virgil Aeneid vi, in tr. Virgil Wks. II. 114 Regions rife In thorns by fallowness.
(b) With with.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > [adjective] > provided or supplied with something > well-provided or supplied > with, in, or for something
richc1175
repletec1384
strongc1450
ripe1579
wealthy1608
well off1775
rife1787
plus1808
well to pass1809
long on1929
1787 Generous Attachm. I. 209 This great world is all too rife with calamity.
1826 E. Irving Babylon I. iv. 253 The very air and atmosphere is rife with delusion.
1852 Ld. Tennyson Ode Wellington vii. 183 Whose life was work, whose language rife With rugged maxims hewn from life.
1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz 43 How rife Life were with delights.
1916 Writer Feb. 36/2 The world is rife with average writers; it is rife with the writer who gladly sells for twenty-five dollars.
1971 P. Goodman Speaking & Lang. ii. vii. 107 The world of words, in which all human beings inevitably live, is rife with delusion.
1990 Connoisseur Sept. 64/4 Sotheby's presents a double session of American Paintings,..rife with opportunities for collectors.
2007 P. Stone Opting Out? 28 Despite being one of the few women on the trading floor when she started out in an industry rife with sexism, Meg managed to rise rapidly in the ranks.
3. † a. Of speech, words, etc.: commonly or frequently employed or heard; esp. in rife in one's mouth and variants. Obsolete.† c. Lowered in value, common. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > linguistic unit > phrase > [adjective] > of phrases: frequently used or heard
rifec1225
c1225 (?OE) Soul's Addr. to Body (Worcester) (Fragm. C) l. 22 Os tuum habundauit malitia, was on þine muþe luþernesse ripe [prob. read rife].
1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid i. Prol. 381 [Words] Quhilkis ar als rife amange clerkis in scule As euir fowlis plungit in laik.
a1535 T. More Dialoge of Comfort (1553) iii. xxii. sig. T.i The manifold foolishe vnfaithfull wordes, which are, so rife in ouer manye mennes mouthes.
1562 W. Turner 2nd Pt. Herball f. 37 But what if thys were a ryfe phrase in Pliny?
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. vi. xviii. 221/1 Hauing that Apothegme of Scipio Africanus rife in his mouth.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 866 That grounded maxim So rife and celebrated in the mouths Of wisest men. View more context for this quotation
1844 B. Disraeli Coningsby 5/1 Known as being no longer inclined to pursue their policy of the preceding session..[the Peers] thus obtained a title at the moment rife in everybody's mouth—the title of ‘the Waverers.’
1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz 68 What's the adage rife in man's mouth?
b. Of rumours, reports, etc.: current or circulating in popular knowledge or talk.In early use not clearly distinct from sense A. 5.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > rumour > [adjective] > loudly or strongly current or talked about
rifea1393
bremea1535
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) ii. 1618 (MED) Philippe of Macedoyne kyng Two Sones hadde be his wif, Whos fame is yit in Grece rif.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 26 Men sais in Lyncoln castelle ligges ȝit a stone..þat saw is ȝit rife.
a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) i. 3776 (MED) She weri was off hir woful liff Seyng..How hir diffame & sclandre was so riff.
1564 N. Haward in tr. Eutropius Briefe Chron. To Rdr. sig. B.i Those gestes of such men are so ryfe in memory, that in manner they do yet lyve.
1599 Master Broughtons Lett. Answered Concl. 48 It was rife that you were proued mad.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. ii. xxxii. 65 This is the rifer report, and goeth more currant, than that whereof Piso is the author.
1630 R. Norton tr. W. Camden Hist. Princesse Elizabeth i. 130 The rumour of the marriage waxed more and more rife.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 650 Whereof so rife There went a fame in Heav'n. View more context for this quotation
1792 E. Burke Let. 6 Nov. (1968) VII. 285 The reports which they circulate..grow more rife than ever.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II. xi. 473 A rumour of the queen's arrest was rife in London.
1894 Standard 8 Oct. The reports which are rife as to a hostile squadron having been sighted.
1932 L. E. Lawes 20,000 Years in Sing Sing iii. 82 Sing Sing Prison suffered somewhat in efficiency... Rumors of maladministration were rife and constant.
1969 D. H. Stewart Opposition Press of Federalist Period vi. 231 In the West reports were rife that British land claims allowed under the covenant would dispossess thousands of frontier families.
2007 Eve July 74/1 Rumours were rife that the college was nurturing an IRA cell.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [adjective] > unnoted or ordinary
quotidian1430
obscure1555
rife1598
notelessa1625
mere1732
1598 Bp. J. Hall Virgidemiarum: 3 Last Bks. iv. i. 12 O Eseulape! how rife is Phisicke made When ech Brasse-basen can professe the trade.
ΚΠ
c1225 (?c1200) Hali Meiðhad (Bodl.) (1940) l. 519 (MED) Þine þearmes þralunge & stiches i þi lonke & i þi lendene sar eche riue.
c1300 St. Fabian (Laud) l. 2 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 177 (MED) Al þis bok is i-maked..of holie mannes liues Þat soffreden for ore louerdes loue pinene manie and riue.
c1390 (c1300) MS Vernon Homilies in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1877) 57 299 (MED) His godnesse was to alle so rif þat alle him loue[d] for his goode lyf.
c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 65 (MED) In þat same flesche þou rose fro deþ to lyue, And stydist vp to heuen with ioyis, with ioyful ryue [read ioy ful ryue].
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > state of being well-known > [adjective]
namecouthOE
ykida1100
kida1250
rifea1325
notory1399
notaryc1400
well-known?a1425
notified1530
well acquainteda1535
célèbre1539
notorious1555
famosea1632
public1650
legendary1832
big1954
visible1977
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 232 Adam abraid, and sag ðat wif; Name he gaf hire dat is ful rif.
c1390 (c1300) MS Vernon Homilies in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1877) 57 308 (MED) But mad heo neuere hire goodnes rif, ffor faste hire holynes heo hidde.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 8531 (MED) Homer þe poet, þat was sa rijf, Liued in þis king dauid lijf.
a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) vi. 3152 (MED) The name of Tulie was kouth in many place, His elloquence in eueri lond was ryff.
c1480 (a1400) St. Nicholas 967 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 508 Þane þe Iow ryf has mad þis merakle.
a1500 Life St. Alexius (Titus) (1878) l. 213 (MED) Alex sawe hit schulde be ryffe, hys penance and hys holy lyffe.
1593 G. Harvey Pierces Supererogation 81 Oh, that his Knowledge, or Zeale were as rife, as his Name.
1786 A. Hughes Zoriada I. 20 When it comes to be rife about that I have got a nameless gentlewoman for a lodger.
6. † b. Achieved quickly or without great effort; easy. Obsolete.
a. Disposed, inclined; ready. Formerly also: †prompt, quick (obsolete). Now only with for.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective]
freeeOE
well-willingOE
readyc1175
fainc1275
buxoma1300
prestc1300
liefc1325
rifec1390
willyc1390
baina1400
willinga1400
listyc1440
towardc1440
appliable1449
pronea1450
wilfulc1460
prompt?a1475
content1477
towardly1513
contenteda1525
towards1525
fond1529
comingc1576
unrefusinga1586
open-armed1594
voluntary1598
gainsome1629
easy1653
unreluctant1654
nothing loath1667
applicable1702
irreluctanta1706
unhesitating1753
unloath1861
prone-minded1869
the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adjective] > prompt to act
radeOE
yevereOE
snellOE
ratheOE
spacka1200
quickc1300
eagerc1325
readyc1330
tallc1374
smartc1380
desirousc1386
rifec1390
promptc1425
speedy?1504
nimblea1547
present1548
go-ahead1825
c1390 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 150 (MED) To sulle & buye ȝif þou be ryf, Wayte al-way þat wrong be went.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) 1000 (MED) For to lyue slike gastely lyfe Amang ankirs suld be ryfe.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) 7560 (MED) Few of þaim leuyd monkis lyfe Bot all to ryote ware þai ryfe.
1562 T. Sternhold et al. Whole Bk. Psalmes xciv. 21 In theyr councells they are ryfe To sheade the giltles bloud.
1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) vi. f. 73 Flags that in these moorish plots so rife of growing beene.
1573 T. Tusser Points Huswifrie (new ed.) f. 19, in Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) Buy thee a knife, else looke for a caruar, not alway to rife.
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine i. xi. 35 Thus the Samaritan woman had it rife in her mouth, our Father Iacob.
1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 228 Such as would seem..very rife and hot for Religion. View more context for this quotation
1855 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Yorks. Words 140 ‘Rife for a row’... ‘Come be rife and let's be off.’
1890 Bystander Jan. 119 The farmers of Ontario, at any rate, and all whom their depression affects, are rife for a change of system.
1962 Musical Q. 48 363 The time is rife for a new study of Igor Stravinsky in the light of modern sympathies.
2000 T. Howard in R. Jackson Cambr. Compan. to Shakespeare on Film iv. xvii. 298 Shakespeare, as our epitome of Good Taste, is rife for conversion into Bad.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adjective]
lightlyOE
eatha1225
easyc1380
tenderc1400
lightsome1440
rife1557
facile1559
eefe1578
problemless1911
easy-breezy1948
without tears1962
1557 Earl of Surrey et al. Songes & Sonettes sig. Bb.iv A gemme of womanhed..As is not rife to finde the like againe.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie ii. xi. 78 With Gods it is rife To geue and bereue breath.
1597 Bp. J. Hall Virgidemiarum: 1st 3 Bks. iii. i. 52 Hath vtmost Inde ought better then his owne? Then vtmost Inde is neare, and rife to gone.
7. As the second element in compounds.
a. Scottish. With a noun, adjective, or verb. Characterized by an abundance of the state or quality implied by the preceding word. Now rare except in cauldrife adj., wakerife adj.See also coolrife adj., sleeprife adj. at sleep n. Compounds 4, wastrife adj.
ΚΠ
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Gouernaunce of Princis (1993) xxix. 104 Traist wele yat the man may nocht be with grete payn seke ryf, yat etis gude quhete brede, & gude lycht flesche.
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Cock & Fox l. 499 in Poems (1981) 23 Our walkryfe watche, vs for to warne and tell Quhen that Aurora..Put vp hir heid betuix the nicht and day.
1781 Session Papers, Petition P. Forrest 20 June 24 The commodity itself was so little sale-rife in that part of the country.
1818 Edinb. Mag. & Literary Misc. Oct. 327 Loud leuch the elf wi' mockrife glee.
1865 J. Hamilton Poems 36 Her warkrife haun' an' couthie ways, Sune gat frae a' aboot her praise.
1878 R. Ford Hame-spun Lays 98 A fig for cankrif warldly cares, They downa enter here.
1921 M. Argo Janet’s Choice 23 Spendrife fowk trintlin' awa' guid hard-earned siller on dress an' trinkums.
1932 R. L. Cassie Scots Sangs 20 Flichtrife mengies hae forgot The nation's saul sae gran'.
b. In later general use (with a noun): rife with the specified thing.
ΚΠ
1928 O. St. J. Gogarty Wild Apples 7 We are living in War-rife time.
1964 P. Larsen Young Afr. iv. 33 Some of the best work in Africa has been done in the leprosy-rife districts of Nigeria.
1972 W. A. Roach in P. Bogovski et al. N-Nitroso Compounds Anal. 76/1 Samples of staple food plants, grown on an intensely cancer-rife area.
1993 Press Enterprise (Riverside, Calif.) (Nexis) 17 Apr. a1 Mayor Tom Bradley yesterday..made yet another plea for calm in his tension-rife city.
2004 South Wales Evening Post (Nexis) 9 July 1 Asylum seekers from Aids-rife countries are being channelled to cities like Swansea because of their HIV treatment centres.
ΚΠ
1637 J. Milton Comus 8 Even now the tumult of loud Mirth Was rife, and perfet in my listening eare.
1.
a. Abundantly, copiously, plentifully. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > [adverb]
enoughOE
roomOE
largely?c1225
rifec1225
foison13..
rivedlyc1300
plenteously1340
plentily1340
fulsomelya1375
abundantlya1382
plenteousc1390
aboundinglyc1400
plentifullyc1400
copiously1447
abundanta1450
amply1454
substantiously1507
fatly?1521
largea1522
plentiful1563
heartily?1577
locupletely1599
redundantly1615
mainly1618
showeringly1621
rifely1648
profusively1650
galore1675
prolifically1735
wholesale1762
copious1791
aplenty1830
plenty1842
swimming1887
c1225 (?c1200) St. Katherine (Bodl.) (1981) l. 908 (MED) Ter rinneð a mare eoile iliche riue.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 8507 (MED) So þat man aliue Ne ssolde telle þe teres þat hii lete so riue.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 399 Al þat nedeþ to þe lyue Þat lond bryngeþ forþ ful ryue [?a1475 anon. tr. plentuousely; L. Ubertim].
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 5640 Of his miracles men spek rife [a1450 Lamb. ryf].
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) 2046 (MED) Alle þe meyny of renoun He þonkkez ofte ful ryue.
a1475 Sidrak & Bokkus (Lansd.) (Ph.D. diss., Univ. of Washington) (1965) 9538 (MED) Anoon God makeþ the soule þerto And sendith it þerynne also, And þanne haþ it bothe soule and lyf, And þanne may it stere ful ryf.
1577 N. Breton Floorish vpon Fancie sig. Giv Some syng and daunce for lyfe, Some Carde and Dyce as ryfe.
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 4 The pestilence doth most ryfest infect the cleerest complection.
b. Numerously; in large numbers. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > plurality > great number, numerousness > [adverb]
manifoldlyeOE
thick971
a-storec1300
rifec1325
thickfolda1400
thicklyc1400
by, in heaps1523
amain1549
numerously1611
frequently1615
sight1836
multitudinously1839
like flies1934
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 5039 Hii þat bileuede aliue Ne miȝte noȝt al burye þat folc þat deide so Riue.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 5219 Þe deneys come bi him riuore þan hii dude er.
a1400 (?a1325) Medit. Supper of our Lord (Harl.) l. 839 Faste þese houndes come rennyng ryue [MS riue].
c1450 (c1350) Alexander & Dindimus (Bodl.) (1929) l. 160 (MED) For skaþe of þe scorpionus askape þei ne miȝhte, So rive romede þei þe river biside.
2. Promptly, speedily, readily. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > rapidity or speed of action or operation > [adverb] > promptly or readily
rifea1275
readya1325
readilyc1330
eagerly?a1400
vertely?a1400
alacriously1609
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adverb] > readily or promptly
rifea1275
fastlyc1275
gradelya1300
rada1325
readya1325
wellc1325
readilyc1330
fast1477
with a wet finger1542
forwardly1552
like one o'clock1847
up1870
like a shot1885
a1275 St. Margaret (Trin. Cambr.) l. 118 in A. S. M. Clark Seint Maregrete & Body & Soul (Ph.D. diss., Univ. of Michigan) (1972) 38 Þe sergaunz deden þat he bed; on hire gunne striue, wid swopen ant wid scourges boþe ful riue.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 1953 (MED) Alle real reueles rinkes rif bi-gunne.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 68 (MED) To Richere þat was erle, men told it fulle rif.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xiii. 949 Thus to him he sente Anon ful Ryf.
?c1450 in Anglia (1896) 18 309 Who so take a bene-weyte Off powdyr of betonye..And ete it sone after his sopere ryf, It counfortyth þe stomak.
a1500 Tale of Basin in M. M. Furrow Ten 15th-cent. Comic Poems (1985) 54 Alle his wyves biddyng he did it full ryve.
3. Frequently, often. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > [adverb]
unseldea950
oftOE
thickOE
ylomeOE
oftsithec1175
oftsithesc1175
lomec1200
oftlya1225
oft-stounds1303
continuallyc1305
oftena1325
rifely1357
oft-timesc1384
oft-timec1387
oftentimesa1393
oftentimec1395
fele-sitha1400
lightlya1400
oftentide?a1400
rifea1400
seresitha1400
many a foldc1400
often sithec1405
hauntinglyc1440
by many a foldc1450
fele-syss1489
frequently1531
feltymesc1540
oftens1567
oftenly1574
frequent1614
repeatedlya1647
(as) often as not1723
more often (or oftener) than not1723
not uncommonly1747
not infrequently1779
(at) every whip-stitch1824
oftenwhilesa1850
at short intervals1859
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) 6498 (MED) For what time þat þou awey gos, Þo þat were þy frendys are þan þy fos, And comunly þyn owne wyfe—Þat mayst þou se here ful ryfe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 28486 (MED) Mi spuseil haf i broken rife.
c1450 in F. J. Furnivall Hymns to Virgin & Christ (1867) 92 (MED) Of þi liuynge be-þinke þee rijfe, In open & in priuite, Þat þou may come to euerlastinge lijf.
1557 Earl of Surrey et al. Songes & Sonettes sig. T.iiiv The highest tree in all the woode is rifest rent with blustring windes.
1575 G. Turberville Bk. Faulconrie 267 Most ordinarie hurtes, which doe ryfest happen to Hawkes.
1614 J. Sylvester tr. J. Bertaut Panaretus 50 in Parl. Vertues Royal Meting (rife) Their length of Blisse by Their deer length of Life.
4. Widely. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > [adverb] > widely
wideOE
rifea1400
widely1838
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) l. 3157 (MED) Of a munke ȝede þe wurde ful ryue, Þat he was of holy lyue.
1440 J. Capgrave Life St. Norbert (1977) l. 2898 His conuersacioun was iknowe ful ryf.
1570 J. Drout Pityfull Hist. Two Louing Italians sig. C.iijv In countrey, towne and villages Full rife is knowne his fame.
1. in rife: widespread; in great numbers, widely. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
J. Metham Amoryus & Cleopes (1916) l. 103 (MED) Off pore and ryche yn the cyte, The fame of hys manhod and off hys loulynes Was in ryfe.
c1450 (?a1370) Wynnere & Wastoure (1990) l. 258 If thou wydwhare scholde walke and waytten the sothe Thou scholdeste reme for rewthe in siche ryfe bene the pore.
c1484 (a1475) J. de Caritate tr. Secreta Secret. (Takamiya) (1977) 131 It is conuenyent to a kynge..þat þe fame of hys name, as in laudabyl wysdam, be in ryfe pupplyschyd or dyvulgate.
2. Abundance, plenty. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > [noun] > an abundance
plentya1250
foison13..
abundance1340
copyc1375
fultha1400
plentya1425
murth?a1450
store1471
sonsea1500
banquet?1507
fouth1535
choice1584
horn of plenty (also abundancec1595
wealth1596
cornucopia1611
rifea1614
copia1713
bumper1759
beaucoup1760
lashings1829
plethora1835
any amount (of)1848
in galore1848
opulence1878
binder1881
lushing1890
a1614 J. Melville Autobiogr. & Diary (1842) 495 I fand of everie sin exceiding ryf.
1723 A. Ramsay Fair Assembly viii Attend th' Assembly, where there's rife Of virtuous maids to please ye.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.adv.n.lOE- twopenny postman
- twopenny rope
- twopenny tube
- ultra-radical
- ultra-radicalism
- ultra-rapid
- ultra-rational
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- ultra-rationalist
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- ultra-red
- ultra-refined
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