| 释义 |
ribn.1 Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with forms from a number of other West Germanic and North Germanic languages which show a number of different stem formations from a common base: Old Frisian rib , reb (West Frisian rib , also ribbe ), Middle Dutch ribbe , rebbe , rib (Dutch rib , also (now archaic) ribbe ), Old Saxon ribba (Middle Low German ribbe , rübbe , rebbe , rippe ), Old High German ribbi , rippi , also ribba (Middle High German rippe , ribbe , ribe , German Rippe ), Old Icelandic rif , Old Swedish rif (Swedish rev ), Old Danish rif , reef (Danish rev , also reb ; now more commonly in the compounded form ribben ); uses in senses from branch II. are also found in Middle Dutch and in Middle Low German, and use in sense 12a is found also in Middle Dutch (with this sense compare also rib n.2 and discussion at that entry); compare also ( < Middle Low German) Danish ribbe rib (in extended senses), Swedish ribba lath; probably cognate with (showing a suffixed form of the same Indo-European base) Old Church Slavonic rebro, Old Russian rebro (Russian rebro); perhaps further cognate with ancient Greek ἐρέϕειν to roof over, to crown, to wreathe, and with the second element of Old High German hirni-reba cranium.With sense 7a compare post-classical Latin riba cross-timber, purlin (1297, 1350, 1365 in British sources), which probably implies earlier currency of the English word in this sense. I. The bone, and related senses. 1. the world > life > the body > structural parts > bone or bones > rib > [noun] eOE (1890) 37/2 Costa, rib. eOE tr. Orosius (BL Add.) (1980) iv. vi. 93 Hit is nædrena gecynd þæt heora mægen & hiera feþe bið on heora ribbum. OE (Julius) 23 Mar. 42 Se sexta worolde dæg. On ðæm wæs Adam gescæpen.., ond Eua his wif wæs gescæpen of his ribbe. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) 803 Corineus heom to-brutte, ban, & heora ribbes. c1300 (Laud) (1868) 1900 Þer mithe men wel se boyes bete, And ribbes in here sides breke. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 227 Ut of his side he toc a rib, And made a wimman him ful sib. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xviii. ix. 1130 Serpentes..crepeþ and glydeþ wiþ ribbes [L. costis] and fondynge of scales. ?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac (Hunterian) f. 57 (MED) Þer ben twelue ribbes on eiþer side off þe bodie..ffyue fals ribbes and seuene verreie oþer trewe ribbes. Þe false ribbes be cleped mendose be cause þat þei be not hole. a1450 (1885) 232 (MED) Fro we may reche þat rekeles, His ribbis schall we rappe. a1500 (a1400) (Adv.) (1930) 359 (MED) Wyth a staffe i schall þe wake That thy rebys schall all toquake. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert f. xxvv Se that he haue a brode rybbe..and to be lose skynned, that it stycke nat harde nor strayte to his rybbes. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in 28 That I might refreshe my crackte ribbes in her bountie and goodnesse. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1622) i. ii. 5 Nine or ten times, I had thought to haue ierk'd him here, Vnder the ribbes . View more context for this quotation 1667 J. Milton x. 512 His Visage drawn he felt to sharp and spare, His Armes clung to his Ribs . View more context for this quotation 1704 J. Swift Full Acct. Battel between Bks. in 277 He, with Iron Scewer, pierces the tender Sides of both, their Legs and Wings close pinion'd to their Ribs. 1741 A. Monro (ed. 3) 222 The Ribs are commonly divided into True and False. 1759 (Royal Soc.) 50 551 I found the lungs closely adhering to the ribs laterally. 1826 16 Sept. 773/2 Both kidneys are almost covered by the incurvature of the inferior, false, or floating ribs. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Vision of Sin in (new ed.) II. 216 Take my brute, and lead him in, Stuff his ribs with mouldy hay. 1885 May 36/1 The back is strong and broad, and the ribs well sprung, showing a proper placement of the vertebrae. 1913 22 Feb. 28/2 The skinner..drove left and right to Gunner's naked ribs with a force that jerked forth a grunt. 1970 H. S. Thompson Campaign Advt. in (2000) 330 Simple cowboy cops who see nothing wrong with kicking handcuffed prisoners in the ribs. 2005 T. Hall i. 15 He suffered a broken nose, five broken ribs and a lacerated ear. 1569 A. Golding tr. N. Hemmingsen (new ed.) f. 105 The Popish superstition sticketh so fast too the ribbes of a number, that they cannot abide that an Idol should be pulled out of their church. 1605 sig. Fii Noble rib of honor, valliant carcasse. 1850 Ld. Tennyson cv. 164 The wood which grides and clangs Its leafless ribs and iron horns Together. 1945 J. T. Shipley 31 The might of attacking armies, viewed down the ages, is as the pricking of a pin against the ribs of time. 2003 K. Braverman ii. 105 I sat down on a patch of grass, sensing the thin ribs of the world pushing up from below. a1627 H. Shirley (1638) v. sig. H3v If she speake not, I shall cracke My ribs, and spend my spleene in laughter. a1652 R. Brome Eng. Moor i. ii. 6 in (1659) Durst thou hear a news Whose mirth will hazzard cracking of a rib? 1721 C. Cibber v. 75 You can't take it ill, if I should burst my Ribs with laughing at your Fancy. 1761 J. Burgh 15 Buffoonery assumes an arch, sly, leering gravity. Must not quit its serious aspect, though all should laugh to burst ribs of steel. 1854 101 348 You'd crack your ribs laughing, to hear and see the two armies, French and English, fraternising..with each other. 1868 Dec. 651/2 My gracious! how we did laugh! Badger says he thinks he's broken a rib. 1901 D. C. Murray ix. 148 Oh, the days—the days when a jest like this could shake the ribs with mirth! 1909 ‘O. Henry’ 51 You'll see him splitting his ribs laughing at ‘Curfew Shall Not Ring To-night’. 1962 30 Apr. 13/1 Governor Dempsey, whose ribs ached from laughing when it was all over. 2001 L. Erdrich xxii. 349 She'd taper off, but then the laughter spurted out and began, stronger, with a sweet, free vengeance that racked her ribs. the world > life > the body > structural parts > bone or bones > rib > [noun] > specific rib 1822 J. Parkinson 283 The bones of the pubis [of a crocodile] do not touch, but are carried obliquely forwards and rather inwards, and are supported by the same aponeurosis which retains the false abdominal ribs. 1876 12 327 The abdominal ribs of Hatteria are like those of Plesiosaurus. 1905 J. C. Merriam 19 A single fragment apparently representing an abdominal rib is seen between the distal ends of the dorsal ribs. 1951 G. R. de Beer (ed. 2) xvii. 223 Remnants of them are to be found..in the so-called abdominal ribs or gastralia of Sphenodon, crocodile, Plesiosaurs, Ichthyosaurs, Pterosaurs, and Archæopteryx. 2009 L. J. Vitt & J. P. Caldwell (ed. 3) i. ii. 64/2 These abdominal ribs are superficial to, and are not joined to, the thoracic ribs or any sternal processes. 2. the world > food and drink > food > animals for food > part or joint of animal > [noun] > ribs OE (Claud.) vii. 31–2 Se swyðra boh & þa rib [L. pectusculum] sceolon beon Aarones & his sunena of ðære offrunga. 1425 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt (1931) 187 (MED) ij poyntes of beeff with certeyn ribbes. ?a1475 Noble Bk. Cookry in at Rib(be Tak ribbes of bacon boled and do away the skyn. 1560 in (1880) 3 77 Payde for a qr and ij rybes of byff..vjs. viijd. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach iii. f. 152v A peece of Porke of two ribs, that wayed three & twentie pound. 1651 T. Randolph et al. iv. v. 40/1 For a rib of beef,..May any Scullion be chief Cook of heaven. 1666 S. Pepys 25 Dec. (1972) VII. 420 Dined well on some good ribbs of beef roasted and mince pies. 1769 E. Raffald xiii. 279 To collar Flat Ribs of Beef. 1789 5 June 1 (advt.) Dutch Beef, Dutch Herrings, Hambro' Beef in ribs. 1802 J. Pinkerton (1811) 660 A savoury dish, called chuleta, or ribs of pork, which they have fresh throughout the year. 1880 May 129/1 For meat we have bacon and generally steaks or roasted ribs of elk, mule-deer or mountain sheep. 1918 18 July 5/5 Prime ribs of beef. 1984 ix. 247 This sauce is super used to barbecue chicken, pork or ribs. 1990 A. Duff vi. 53 A few bucks to go buy him some ribs from the Chinese. 2000 (Nexis) 4 July Put the ribs skinny side..down, standing upright, so the melting fat bastes the meat as it cooks. 1576 G. Gascoigne Ep. Ded. sig. A.iii Though the skorneful do mocke me for a time, yet in the ende I hope to giue them al a rybbe of roste for their paynes. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. iii. 8 The fat ribs of peace Must by the hungry now be fed vpon. View more context for this quotation a1627 T. Middleton & W. Rowley (1653) iii. sig. D4v Soto. A Calves head and braines were better for my stomack. San. A rib of Poetry. the world > people > person > woman > [noun] society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > married person > married woman > [noun] > wife ?1590 King James VI Let. 19 Feb. in D. Calderwood (1844) V. 82 Recommending me and my new rib to your daylie prayers. 1654 R. Whitlock 61 I am confident a practising Rib shall kill more then the Iaw-bone of an Asse; and a Quacking Dalilah, than a valiant Sampson. 1664 T. Killigrew Parsons Wedding iv. i, in 124 Art thou not my wife, my Rib, bone of my bone? 1732 H. Fielding 5 Go thrash your own Rib, Sir, at Home. 1760 L. Sterne I. xvi. 94 He would..place his rib and self in so many tormenting lights and attitudes. 1789 R. Burns 27 Apr. (1985) I. 399 My Rib begs her compliments to you. 1802 C. Lamb Let. 15 Feb. in (1976) II. 55 The Professor's Rib has come out to be a damn'd disagreeable woman. 1823 Ld. Byron xlvi. 126 A rib's a thorn in a wed Gallant's side. 1862 G. Borrow liv. 173 Near to it was the portrait of his rib, Dame Middleton. 1939 P. Sturges Great McGinty in (1986) 105 Can you see me telling some rib where I been till two o'clock in the morning? 1991 (Nexis) 2 July e5 It's all so confusing, this business of having to be politically correct... Can you still get away with referring to your wife as ‘the rib’? the world > movement > impact > striking > beating or repeated striking > [noun] > specific object a person 1699 B. E. Rib, or Ribroasting, a Dry-basting. the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > [noun] > jest or pleasantry > a jest or joke 1903 ‘H. McHugh’ 66 It was my cue to crack a rib, but I had to keep a straight face or lose the fight.] 1929 J. P. McEvoy iii. 39 Of course it was just a rib to see him, as the only thing I know about newspapers is that they smell fresh. 1952 25 Jan. 18/3 Wilt said, ‘He is a parasite.’ Maybe this was a rib. 1964 ‘E. Queen’ in Aug. 15/2 ‘Dad, is this a rib?’ ‘I wish I could joke about it.’ 1999 M. Foley ix. 144 I put together an impressive music video... We actually turned the video into a rib on Gary. II. A man-made object or part resembling a rib in form or function. Usually in plural. 6. Nautical. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > body of vessel > [noun] > timbers of hull > rib OE 8 Searoceap..hæfde fella [read fela] ribba; muð wæs on middan.] 1378 in B. Sandahl (1951) I. 103 (MED) Vne nouelle vesselle..des bones ribbes, bemes, et bone merym. 1422–3 Naval Acct. in B. Sandahl (1958) II. 93 (MED) Idem computat in..xxxviij Cables..xxix Rybbys, iij Susterys, [etc.]. 1553 G. Douglas tr. Virgil i. p. xii The storme ouerset [the ship], raif rebbis and syde semes. 1564 J. Rastell f. 131v No boerde or rybb of the broken shipp. 1600 W. Shakespeare i. i. 28 Vayling her high top lower then her ribs . View more context for this quotation 1665 T. Manley tr. H. Grotius 751 This victory of the Zelanders with so small loss, which happened because the ribs of their Ships were more solid and compact. 1762 W. Falconer ii. 30 The ribs, oppress'd by pond'rous cannon, groan. 1799 J. Robertson 236 Scotch oak..is found to snap over when used as ribs to a ship. 1810 G. Crabbe i. 6 See! the long Keel,..See! the strong Ribs which form the roomy Side. 1877 W. C. Bryant 217 Bones of men Shipwrecked, and mighty ribs of foundered barks. 1933 H. Allen II. . xxx. 431 The deck beams and ribs of an old hulk. 1963 C. Green iii. 49 A modern vessel has the planking riveted directly to the ribs, but ancient builders had a different practice. 1992 F. Burroughs i. 21 A boat that, in..the reliance on a rigid, molded skin unsupported by ribs and planking..looked ahead to the aluminum..canoes of the present day. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > masts, rigging, or sails > rigging > [noun] > running rigging > rope or chain securing yard > fitting through which it is reeved 1625 in (1914) 4 283/1 [The parrel] framed of a Rope , Truckes and Ribs or sisters. 1644 H. Mainwaring 83 Those little long wooden peeces which..doe belong to the Parrells of the yards, are called the Ribbs of the Parrells. 1769 W. Falconer at Parrel There are four different sorts of parrels, one of which is formed..of a rope communicating with an assemblage of ribs and trucks. 1822 Jan. 22 Now, Jack, hand me the ribs and trucks, to keep the keel steady. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher 572 Ribs and Trucks, used figuratively for fragments. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher 572 Ribs of a Parrel,..the ribs were pieces of wood, each about one foot in length, having two holes in them through which the two parts of the parrel-rope are reeved with a bull's-eye between. 1961 F. H. Burgess 170 Ribs and trucks, odds and ends. 1984 J. Lees (ed. 2) ii. viii. 66/2 The breast rope..being made fast to the yard leading round the ribs of the parrel. 7. Architecture, Building, and Engineering. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > framework of building > [noun] > members of 1378 in W. H. D. Longstaffe & J. Booth (1889) 149 (MED) De cujus meremio sunt in manu Johannis..x spars et ribs..et in gardino..sunt v ribs et firsts. 1520 in E. Beveridge (1917) 174 And Villiem..sal rest in the sydwal of pane and first and ane sufficient rest to his ribbis in the sydwal gif [etc.]. 1618 56 The ribbes of tottring houses must be coated with a new paint against the christning of the next childe. 1648 H. Hexham Ribben-lage, the Ribs or the Crosse-beames of a house. 1734 I. at Carcase The Shell or Ribs of a House, containing the Partitions, Floors, and Rafters made by the Carpenter. 1769 in (1912) 301 Furnishing ribbs to the wash house. 1840 J. H. Parker (ed. 3) 177 Ribs of Timber, a term applied in some districts to the purlins of the roof. 1854 H. Miller (1858) 238 Its bulging walls and gapped roof, that showed the bare ribs through the breaches. 1952 T. Armstrong iii. 79 The smelting-place was long and very lofty, its roof supported by great oak ribs. 2002 (Nexis) Aug. Ribs run the length of the hump-backed roof, with the sheets curving across their width. society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > arch > [noun] > vaulting > rib society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > architectural ornament > [noun] > moulding > projecting moulding(s) 1608 T. Dekker sig. D3 Mauritius..to defend me [sc. the steeple of St Paul's] from after-burnings, mounted me vpon Arches & gaue me ribs of stone. 1677 R. Plot 268 [The roof of Merton College Treasury] has..three inequidistant arched ribs of stone. 1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti I. 55 The Ancients..made their Ribs of..Bricks, and..advise to fill up the interspaces of..Vaults with the lightest Stone. 1726 E. Chambers tr. J. Dubreuil 74 Draw curve Lines springing from off the Pilasters, and you will have the Ribs or Reins of the Vault. 1819 W. Scott II. ii. 20 The ribs of two of these arches remained, though the roof had fallen down betwixt them. 1849 J. Ruskin ii. 33 In the vaulting of a Gothic roof it is no deceit to throw the strength into the ribs of it. 1870 F. R. Wilson 63 The plaster work between the ribs of the roof is colored blue. 1911 G. H. West Gloss. 337 This produces a twist in the spandrel filling between the two ribs. 1952 L. F. Salzman vi. 116 At the point of intersection of the ribs..was set a block of stone, now known as a ‘boss’. 2008 (Nexis) 21 Sept. e12 [The church] is known for its elaborate interior, including delicate ribs supporting Gothic arches. society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > arch > [noun] > parts of 1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti I. 53 An Arch is..a conjunction of a number of wedges, whereof..those on the sides [are called] the Turn, or Ribs of the Arch. society > travel > means of travel > route or way > other means of passage or access > [noun] > bridge > parts of 1735 J. Price 7 One of the Ribs, to carry the Planks, whereon the Arch is to lie. 1796 J. Jordan Patent 24 May in (1797) 4 223 B..is one of the circular suspending ribs, composed in this bridge..of eight ribs of well-seasoned timber..and two ribs of cast iron. 1836 V. 413/1 The first iron bridge built in England..consists of one arch upwards of 100 ft. wide, composed of five ribs. 1842 5 279/1 These keys enabled us..to set the ribs with great precision. 1879 (new ed.) I. 108 Each of these girders rests immediately on a pile, so that the bridge is supported by seven ribs. 1929 17 Sept. 11/6 Maud Hales Bridge has also been rebuilt and widened, but retains the ribs and pointed arch in their entirety. 2006 (Nexis) 1 Jan. 62 The new bridge..has a unique structural frame to support its two roadway decks—using three ribs in its arch, instead of the more typical four ribs. society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > arch > [noun] > dome or cupola > supporting structure 1735 F. Price (ed. 2) 29 I suppose this Dome, to consist of sixteen principal Ribs. 1766 J. Entick Surv. London in IV. 205 The spandrels.., having large planes between the stone ribs, are capable of further ornaments of painting. 1842 J. Gwilt ii. iii. 551 The dome is boarded from the base upwards, hence the ribs are fixed horizontally at near distances to each other. 1879 (new ed.) II. 138 The ribs..are alternated by narrower ones,..the main ribs being constructed of five thicknesses of timber. 1948 7 9/2 Five ribs of the second dome remain today over the southern arch and seven over the northern. 1992 (Nexis) 26 June The 50 termite-ridden timber ribs from the dome [of the National Museum] were replaced with aluminium ones. 8. the world > space > relative position > support > [noun] > that which supports > supporting rod > like a rib a1450 (c1378) W. Langland (Corpus Oxf.) (1975) B. xvi. l. 44 (MED) Rybbis [c1400 Laud Bakbiteres..ledith a laddre þere-to; of lesynges aren þe ronges]. a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil (1557) ii. sig. Aiiiv Of clinched ribbes of firre This hors was made. 1589 ‘Pasquill of England’ sig. Bij One of the first Lawes that Romulus layd, as a ribbe of yron into his gouernment. 1600 W. Shakespeare iv. i. 152 Confirmd, confirmd, O that is stronger made, Which was before bard vp with ribs of yron. View more context for this quotation a1684 J. Evelyn anno 1646 (1955) II. 497 He consulted to remove the whole Wall, by binding about with ribs of yron & timber. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter iii. x. 415 The sails are of matt, strengthened every three feet by an horizontal rib of bamboo. 1823 J. Badcock 152 The boiler is to have ribs of wood, like small joists, fastened at half way from its bottom, about two inches thick. 1827 July 168 A kind of wicker basket..fixed in the earth by means of the points of the ribs of the wicker work. 1854 IV. 277/2 A cradle or wooden trough with ‘cleats’ or ribs fastened across the bottom. 1904 W. C. Gotshall 225 Steel ribs or rods of proper and approved design..shall be imbedded in the concrete of all arches. 1944 D. E. Warland x. 130 It is strengthened and supported by metal stiffening ribs. 2002 J. L. Hull in C. A. Harper (ed. 4) ix. 586 Designing parts with thin reinforcing ribs rather than thick sections often reduces or eliminates such distortion. the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > intersection > [noun] > grating or lattice > a bar of 1651 Bp. J. Taylor iii. ix. §1 We should have..thought the Grid-iron fairer than the spondæ, the ribs of a marital bed. 1683 9–10 May Ane iron chimney with four ribbs. 1748 W. Brownrigg ii. ii. 61 Cribs, which are vessels like hay-racks..with wooden ribs on each side placed so close that the salt cannot easily fall through them. 1823 J. Badcock 100 A wooden stand, which has several ribs across to sustain the tobacco. 1826 J. Galt xxxii. 289 Ye wad see the ane fizz and flee away frae the ither up the lum, or out at the ribs. 1895 ‘S. Tytler’ x. 125 Balancing her egg-pan on the ribs of the grate. 1913 J. L. Waugh 48 A cheery fire was burnin' behin' the ribs. 1989 (Nexis) 15 Sept. The food is cooked both by radiation from the elements and by conduction from the heated grate ribs. society > communication > printing > printing machine or press > parts of printers or presses > [noun] > carriage > upon which carriage slides 1683 J. Moxon II. 51 The Ribs lye within a Frame of four Foot five Inches long, one Foot eleven Inches broad. 1688 R. Holme (1905) iii. xxi. 256/1 A Rib... This is a foure square Iron flat at the ends to be nailed on the wooden ribs for the cramp Irons at the bottom of the coffin to run ouer them. 1728 E. Chambers at Printing On this Carriage, which sustains the Plank, are nail'd two long Iron-Bars, or Ribs. 1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ 296 The manner in which the wheels run in rebates or recesses in the edges of the ribs. 1845 VIII. 774/2 Beneath the plank of the carriage, cramp irons..are nailed, which slide upon two long iron bars or ribs. 1888 C. T. Jacobi at Forestay of press The leg which supports the frame or ribs of a hand-press. 1937 S. A. Kimber 37 The carriage is a frame, five feet long and two feet, two inches broad, on which the ribs are placed. a1800 S. Pegge (1814) Ribs, bindings in hedges. Kent. 1879 May 11 The owner of a kiln of this kind tells me that his usual load is 40 yards of chalk, which take 100 bundles of ribs to dry off. 1887 W. D. Parish & W. F. Shaw (at cited word) Ribs are done up into bundles, with two wiffs, and are used for lighting fires and making raddle-fences. society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > aeroplane > parts of aircraft > [noun] > structural framework > specific supporting wings 1876 1/1 Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one of the arms or ribs of the wings.] 1889 5 Propellers and supporters for flying machines consisting of curved flexible wings with ribs. 1919 H. Shaw ix. 109 The chief function of the ribs is to give the wing its correct shape, while they also serve as compression members between the two spars, and as a framework for the attachment of the fabric. 1965 C. N. Van Deventer vii. 141/2 The ribs are secured to the spars, and since they are curved they give the wing its familiar aerodynamic shape when it is covered with a ‘skin’ of aluminium alloy. 2003 Nov. 67/1 Stiff struts and ribs meant that wings were too rigid to flex much torsionally, so builders installed ailerons. 9. society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > stringed instruments > lute- or viol-type parts > [noun] > other parts 1578 J. Banister i. f. 16 v Vnited by a sharpe creest, or corner:..like the settyng together of the ribbes of a Lute. 1676 T. Mace 49 Then again observe the Number of Ribbs [in a lute]... Next, what Wood is Best for the Ribbs. 1884 E. Heron-Allen 287 To prevent the ribs from sticking to the mould if..the glue should run anywhere but on the blocks. 1894 W. S. B. Mathews xvi. 190 The..point in which the construction of the lute differed from that of the guitar, was in the back, which in the latter is flat, so that ribs are indispensable for preserving the rigidity of the body against the pull of the strings. 1979 C. Ford i. 19 Making the ribs for a viol presents something of a problem. 1996 (Nexis) 3 Sept. b1 The front is carved from spruce... The more rigid back and sides, or ribs, of the violin are made from maple. 2001 (Online ed.) at Lute The ribs..are thin..strips of wood, bent over a mould and glued together edge to edge to form a symmetrical shell. the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > refuge or shelter > [noun] > shelter > a shelter > an umbrella or parasol 1716 J. Gay i. 14 Let Persian Dames th' Umbrella's Ribs display, To guard their Beauties from the sunny Ray. 1771 T. Jefferson (1892) I. 395 A large umbrella with brass ribs. 1843 XXV. 500/2 In umbrellas of the ordinary construction the ends of the ribs are connected with the fixed ring upon the end of the stick. 1887 27 Aug. 10/2 Japan imported..umbrella ribs to the value of £9,769. 1908 E. Fowler 382 A light umbrella was one not made with whalebone ribs. 1969 E. H. Pinto 26 Early folding umbrellas were heavy and clumsy... The most important patents were that of Henry Holland..and that of Samuel Fox & Co... for the lighter U-section steel rib in 1852. 2003 (Nexis) 7 Dec. b9 [In England] the average woman is maybe five-foot-five, which places the ribs of her umbrella around eye-poking level for the average Canadian man. society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > keyboard instrument > organ > [noun] > bellows > parts of 1811 2nd Ser. Sept. 207 From the ordinary construction of the bellows, those at least which rise on four ribs of equal breadth at each side and each end, they do not blow with an uniform force. 1880 C. A. Edwards ii. i. 42 Sixteen ribs are used in the reservoir of bellows..divided..by a wooden frame called the middle-frame. 1881 W. E. Dickson vi. 72 Organ-bellows..consist of..the middle board, the top board or table, and the feeder, and of thin plates of wood called ribs. 1903 C. F. A. Williams vi. 143 Thin wooden planks, called ribs, [were] joined by leather glued to their edges, the leather forming hinges, on which the ribs worked when opening and closing. 1976 29 148/2 Some twenty-two fragments [of manuscript] pasted to the wooden ribs of the organ bellows. 10. A raised ridge on some object, part, or surface. society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > gem or precious stone > diamond > [noun] > of specific type of cut > parts of cut diamond 1750 D. Jeffries Explan. Terms The Ribs are the lines, or ridges, which distinguish the several parts of the work, both of Brilliants, and Roses. 1860 R. Hunt (ed. 5) II. 20 The following technical terms are applied to the different faces of diamonds:..Crown, the upper work of the rose, which all centres in the point at the top, and is bounded by the horizontal ribs. 1994 B. Watermeyer & S. S. Michelsen p. xx Rib, the straight ridge that divides two facets from each other. the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for legs > clothing for legs and feet > [noun] > stocking > types of > other the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric manufactured in specific way > [noun] > consisting of loops or looped stitches > knitted fabric > ribs or ridges 1778 L. Nicola in G. Washington (2004) Revolutionary War Ser. XIV. 490 Had on when he went away, a dark brown Coat..& white ribb stocking. 1817 D. Lysons & S. Lysons V. p. cci Mr. Jedidiah Strutt..introduced a machine for making ribbed stockings about the year 1755: this species of goods acquired the name of the Derby Rib. 1839 A. Ure 653 Needles are only placed where ribs or stripes are to be formed. 1845 VIII. 748/2 An additional looping, which..raises the rib above the plain intervals. 1902 113 928 ‘Black cotton velvet cords’..with a fine rib,..chiefly used for women's skirts. 1929 27 324 The Derby rib machine..profoundly altered the style of ordinary hose. 1986 June 15/1 Cast off in rib. 2001 (Nexis) 18 Dec. d6 The corduroy pants I wore as a boy would make a swishing sound... as the ribs of the corduroy cloth rubbed against each other. the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > [noun] > a projecting part > projecting rim or flange 1791 J. Smeaton ii. ii. 54 This ruler was preserved from bending..by a Rib raised upon its upper side. 1832 G. R. Porter 203 The glass is prevented from running off the sides of the table by ribs of metal. 1839 A. Ure 477 The projecting ribs were forced into the surface of the ball..during its expulsion. 1856 289 This is often effected..by introducing ribs or flanges, and thus dispersing a given quantity of material in a better form. 1938 R. Hum xxii. 602 A long horizontal steel cylinder rotates slowly and spiral ribs on the inside cause the lime to move through. 1985 N. Shave ii. 16 A rib or ridge along the length of the blade helps stop it quivering when under power. society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > parts and fittings of firearms > [noun] > barrel > rib connecting two barrels 1815 46 119 An action brought..for the violation of two patents for the construction of gun-locks, and elevated ribs. 1881 W. W. Greener 267 Commoner ribs also are used, that is, either scelp twist, or plain iron, and there is not so much care taken to insure the rib being tapered, levelled [etc.]. 1972 R. Akehurst 49 It was the side by side arrangement with a rib between and a lock on each side that was to be the gun of the future. 1993 Mar. 63/1 The Heavy Duck Gun also came with a 32-inch barrel and a deluxe model featured a solid rib. 1875 E. H. Knight III. 1935/2 Rib,..one of the ridges on the back of a book which serve for covering the tapes and for ornament. 1905 F. Battershall vii. 66 The earliest headbands were..stretched on the sewing press with the other bands... Ancient headbands done in this fashion stand out from the back with the other ribs. 2000 C. Coppens in D. Pearson 318 The meaning of ‘American back’ has for the time being to be left uncertain. It possibly describes a back with flat ribs and therefore with a decoration in each compartment. society > occupation and work > equipment > shaping tools or equipment > [noun] > smoothing 1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ 462 With different profiles, or ribs, he forms the inside of the vessel into whatever shape may be required. 1832 G. R. Porter 46 The instruments employed for this purpose [sc. giving the first form to a vessel in ‘throwing’] are called profiles or ribs. 1880 C. A. Janvier v. 55 He presses the bottom of the plate with an instrument called a profile, or rib, which..gives the exact profile of the outside of the plate. 1940 B. Leach iv. 72 The fingers of the left hand press outwards and upwards on the inside of the..pot and are supported on the outside..by a wooden rib if a smooth surface is required. 1964 H. Hodges i. 27 This may be done by hand, but more commonly a curved piece of wood or bone, called a rib, is used. 1977 R. Fournier (rev. ed.) 192/1 Ribs often have one flat and one curved edge and are made of a flat sheet of a rigid material. 2001 M. Chappelhow 31/3 Using a rib smooths the inner surface into a perfect curve. III. A naturally occurring object, part, or formation resembling a rib. 12. the world > plants > part of plant > leaf > [noun] > part or side of > rib or vein c1450 Med. Recipes (BL Add. 33996) in F. Heinrich (1896) 204 Tak þe rote of hemelok..& þe rybbe of dokke. a1475 (Sloane) (1862) 48 (MED) Take cole and strype hom þorowghe þi honde And do away þo rybbys. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens 90 The great Plantayne hath great large leaves..with seven ribbes behinde. 1688 R. Holme ii. 85/1 The Rib is the chief vein, from the stalk to the end of the leaf: the Master-vein. 1698 J. Fryer 178 Sending forth from the main Rib some Fibres. 1776 J. Lee (ed. 3) 386 Where the Margin is plaited, but the Folds do not reach to the middle Rib of the Disk. 1796 W. Withering (ed. 3) I. 354 The rib [of a fern-leaflet], with the Stamens upon it. 1849 J. H. Balfour §144 There is occasionally an obscure rib running close to the edge of the leaf, and called intramarginal. 1884 F. O. Bower & D. H. Scott tr. H. A. de Bary 433 In the petioles and ribs of the leaves. 1929 H. A. A. Nicholls & J. H. Holland (ed. 2) i. iv. 28 A leaf consists typically of soft tissue..with a number of ribs or veins embedded in it. 1974 A. J. Huxley (1978) x. 109 A begonia leaf in contact with soil will make roots from its ribs. 1993 19 Sept. (Review Suppl.) 72/3 Rhubarb chard (often named ruby chard), a spinach-type leaf with red ribs. the world > animals > birds > feather > [noun] > part of 1545 R. Ascham ii. f. 15 In settyng on of your fether, whether it be pared or drawen with a thicke rybbe, or a thinne rybbe (the rybbe is ye hard quill whiche deuydeth the fether). 1728 E. Chambers at Feather The Shaft, or Rib exceeding strong, but hollow below, for Strength and Lightness sake. 1770 J. Ferguson 55 Its plumulæ will repel each other, and stand bristling out from the rib of the feather. 1891 F. Schwatka v. 112 A finely split raven quill, running the whole length of the rib of the feather, is used for the noose proper. 1914 Aug. 198/2 I went up-stairs and found the hat lying on the floor with only the rib of the feather left. 2001 (Nexis) 9 Oct. 16 Boater..and coachman styles are part of her summer collection, and she has used straw, cellophane, ostrich feather ribs. the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > parts of insects > [noun] > wings(s) > nervure 1664 H. Power i. 5 The Common Fly: her wings look like a Sea-fan with black thick ribs or fibers dispers'd and branch'd through them. a1836 (1845) VII. 282/2 This frame consists of hollow horny tubes, to which have been indifferently applied the names ribs, nervures, and veins. 1884 A. Sedgwick & F. G. Heathcote tr. C. Claus x. 527 They [sc. wings] are usually delicate and transparent, and are traversed by various strongly chitinised bands, the nervures or veins or ribs. 1898 A. S. Packard 146 Semper discovered..what he called Flügeltrippen; one such rib accompanying the trachea in each vein. 1977 O. W. Richards & R. G. Davies (ed. 10) I. v. 56 A degenerate trachea known as ‘Semper's rib’ is present in Lepidoptera alongside the ordinary trachea within the vein cavity. the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Triploblastica or Coelomata > phylum Mollusca > [noun] > Testacea (shelled molluscs) > shelled mollusc > shell > part of 1711 J. Petiver VI. Table LV A sort of Winckletrope with Ribs finely chained. 1815 E. J. Burrow 34 Costæ, ribs; keel-like processes reaching from the apex to the periphery of the shell. 1849 R. I. Murchison 211 A new species with two raised ribs in front. 1897 Mar. 324 Venus Mercatoria, or Money Venus, has no spines, but has ribs. 1974 S. P. Dance 146/3 Strong axial ribs crossed by weaker spiral ribs which are produced as blunt nodules at intersections. 2008 69 463/2 Cardium has equivalves and often-equilateral shell, rounded, usually with radiating ribs and a external ligament. the world > plants > part of plant > part defined by form or function > ridge channel > [noun] 1740 P. Miller (new ed.) at Melocactus Greater American Melon Thistle, with spiral Ribs, and short crooked Spines. 1845 Aug. 175 Bands, or Vittæ, the flattened or hollow spaces between the elevated ribs of the fruit of umbelliferous plants. 1870 J. D. Hooker 199 Fruit compressed, ribbed, ribs often aculeate. 1936 H. Taylor ii. 219 Fruit large.., round, flattish, with five ribs distinctly showing. 1978 J. A. Maxwell vi. 232/3 (caption) The Papago woman..uses a long pole called a kuibit—made from dried saguaro ribs. 2008 (Nexis) 30 Nov. (Lifestyle section) 28 Cacti ribs allow the plant to expand and contract according to water availability. the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Diploblastica > phylum Coelenterata > [noun] > class Ctenophora > member of > meridional plate 1880 119 248 The eight ribs of lasso cells of Ctenaria, similar to those of Ectopleura. 1927 2 212/2 It is at the expense of the green micromeres that the larva's epidermis and the 8 ciliated ribs of the ctenophore develop. 1969 18 92/1 The developmental stage at which the mouth and anus of Polygordius are not yet separated resembles most closely a primitive type of ctenophore. The four groups of cells of the prototroch represent shortened ciliated ribs. 13. the world > the earth > minerals > mineral deposits > [noun] > vein > solid part the world > the earth > minerals > mineral deposits > [noun] > vein > vein of ore the world > the earth > structure of the earth > structural features > discontinuity or unconformity > [noun] > intrusion > dike the world > the earth > structure of the earth > structural features > sedimentary formation > [noun] > stratum > stratum by constitution > hard stratum a1500 in J. Evans & M. S. Serjeantson (1933) 47 (MED) Onycles..has rybbez white. 1667 J. Milton i. 690 Soon had his crew Op'nd into the Hill a spacious wound And dig'd out ribs of Gold. View more context for this quotation 1747 W. Hooson sig. Qiv Most Veins carry their Ore in Ribbs, which is that solid Part of the Ore that sets forward according to the Sides..; many times a Vein will carry two Ribbs. 1811 J. Farey I. 247 These crystals of Ore meet and are close wedged together, forming what is called one Rib of Ore, with Spar on each side of it in the vein. 1878 T. H. Huxley (ed. 2) 193 Lava is then injected into the cracks, forming, when cold, huge rocky ribs known as dykes. 1885 H. G. Seeley (new ed.) I. xxii. 401 The metallic matter occurs in an irregular vertical table, called a rib of ore. 1920 W. H. Weed (rev. ed.) XIV. iv. 279 Veins outcrop either as prominent silicified ribs or as shallow depressions in the andesites. 2004 A. E. Vorobyov et al. in J. Kicki & E. J. Sobczyk 120 Quartz ribs and a sulphide ore are present. the world > the earth > structure of the earth > structural features > rock formations > [noun] > outstanding c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme civ. 64 in (1998) II. 160 That safe in Rocks the Connyes may remaine, To yeld them Caues, their rocky ribbs are torne. 1693 R. Bentley viii. 236 If violent Rains and Tempests must not wash down the Earth and Gravel from..those Mountains, and expose their naked Ribbs to the face of the Sun. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis ix, in tr. Virgil 484 They rowl down Ribs of Rocks. 1757 J. Dyer iii. 102 Gold cannot gold appear, until man's toil Discloses wide the mountain's hidden ribs. a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. J. W. von Goethe Scenes from Faust in (1824) 403 Cling tightly to the old ribs of the crag. 1871 L. Stephen ii. 82 Nothing is visible but the black ribs of the mountains. 1919 G. A. Chamberlain ii. 48 The path leading from the house around the mountain rib to the mine. 1963 A. Greenbank xiv. 123 The..rib or ridge of rock is one of the most exposed features of a cliff. 1988 (Olympic Mountain Rescue, Washington) (ed. 3) 62 Cross the next chute to an obvious ledge on the next rib about 100 ft. below the waterfall. society > occupation and work > workplace > places where raw materials are extracted > mine > [noun] > pillar or area of unworked material 1818 Dec. 425/2 A great part of the coal in the ribs so left may be got afterwards. 1867 W. W. Smyth 125 It is found to be the better course..to trust to pack-walls..rather than to leave a rib of coal. 1895 8 Feb. 5/6 They..would have left a rib as a support to part them from the old workings. 2006 H. C. Verakis in V. B. Apte xiii. 329 Plastic and steel mesh-like materials are used in underground mine operations to retain material and prevent the spalling of the roof and ribs. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > [noun] > rib society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > road > [noun] > highway or public road > the road or wayside 1670 J. Eachard 92 The Man of God fetching up his single Melancholy Cow, from a small rib of Land. 1735 ix. 69 The Rib, or that Part which the Plough did not touch at the last Time. 1762 A. Dickson xvii. 285 Then the plough returns in the track E F, which throws up the earth e f... By this are made two ribs and three furrows. 1805 R. Forsyth II. 235 The ribs, as road-makers term the declivities on each side, should be kept very clear. 1830 J. Baxter 183 Laying a loosened furrow right on its back, over the surface of a rib of land which is left untouched by the plough. 1844 H. Stephens I. 658 Ribs of hard land standing untouched in the subsoil. 1926 15 Oct. 12/2 An English landscape..with a skilful introduction by the ribs of grey ploughland and an effective use of cloud shadow. 2005 D. Dickson vii. 239 In Cork and Waterford..the plough was used to break up all but a central rib of the potato bed. Phrases P1. under the ribs. With reference to the location of the heart and other vital organs within the rib cage.c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1978) l. 8782 Þat ufel is under his ribben þat ne mæi he noh libben. c1330 (?a1300) (Auch.) (1952) l. 348 Þis venim crepeþ vnder mi ribbe... Jn al þis ich gret dolour He dede feche al his tresour. 1840 T. De Quincey Style in July 395/1 If they presumed to put in a sly thrust under the ribs of the philosopher, those about Socrates..would kick them into the kennel. 1886 W. Todd xiv. 212 The failure of the enemy to press our line west of Centreville indicated that they would ‘likely move around and strike us under the ribs’. 1922 H. L. Wilson xiv. 249 Honest, Jeff, that kid gets me under the ribs kind of. 1999 in D. Bolger 172 A small jazz band played, deep throbbing tunes that quickly caught Detta under the ribs, jagged her heart. a1592 R. Greene (1594) sig. Eiij If ye call him mad-man, heel run after you, & tickle your ribs so with his flap of leather that he hath as it passeth. 1689 88 A little Devil..always has her Rods in pickle, If they presume, their Ribs to tickle. 1825 ‘E. Hardcastle’ I. vi. 143 ‘I expected a royalist's sword whipped into my bowels.’ ‘Devil you did! he must wear a long cheese toaster who'd dare tickle your ribs.’ 1835 R. F. Williams II. iv. v. 97 Full of good stories and laughable squibs, So droll and so strange that they tickle one's ribs. 1898 W. Mathews vii. 261 If a pun has tickled our ribs and given our cheeks a holiday,..it has done a good work. 1918 J. Munroe xvi. 163 Ah, for the chance to tickle their cursed ribs with the cold steel! 1930 18 Mar. 14/2 A great part of this Scottish humour..is primarily intended to tickle English ribs. 1997 I. S. Gilhus vi. 117 Clean jokes may only tickle the ribs. Dangerous jokes, on the other hand, may strike to the heart while being very funny. 1795 E. Burke Fourth Let. Peace Regicide Directory in (1991) IX. 48 We require some food that will stick to the ribs. 1845 27 Nov. 8 An old labourer..complained to his master that labourers feeding on potatoes could not now do so good a day's work... ‘Peas, Sir,’ said he, ‘stick to the ribs.’ 1987 19 Jan. 10/3 The dried pulses and beans and pearl barley that..are the mainstay of soups and stews which ‘stick to your ribs’. 2002 J. Grisham (2003) xiv. 134 You got a long drive. Pancakes'll stick to your ribs. society > trade and finance > financial dealings > borrowing money > borrow money [verb (intransitive)] > from someone 1923 P. G. Wodehouse Let. 23 Nov. in (1990) i. 30 We got into their ribs for a twelve-point rubber and the severe female staggered away a heavy loser. 1939 P. G. Wodehouse iii. 47 Leave it to me. I will get into his ribs for you. 1951 P. G. Wodehouse xviii. 200 It was..the worst possible moment anyone could have selected to approach him with the idea of getting into his ribs for twenty thousand dollars. 1976 P. Larkin 13 Apr. (1993) 538 Bruce has been in my ribs for a small loan—you too, a little? P5. With reference to biblical use (see sense 3). †a. the world > people > person > woman > [noun] 1609 sig. A3v I cannot holde to see a rib of man A moytie of it selfe, commaund the whole. 1613 T. Nashe (ed. 2) 149 Woman-head,... being but a ribbe of man, you will think to ouer-rule him you ought to be subiect too. a1627 T. Middleton & W. Rowley (1653) v. sig. I2 That broken rib of mankind. b. the world > people > person > woman > [noun] 1647 J. Trapp Mellificium Theol. in 612 Surely if feasting ever be in season it is at the recovery of the lost rib [i.e. marriage]. 1712 J. Dunton 8 So imperfect and unaccomplish'd is our Virility without the Re-union of our Lost Rib, that substantial and integral Part of ourselves. 1850 13 453 Many a young man most miraculously found his lost rib, and many a young woman discovered from whose side she had been taken. 1916 J. A. Guthrie 104 We may fool ourselves into believing that man is the leader..; separate him from that lost rib and observe his rule. 1988 (Nexis) 13 Mar. Men are always looking for the lost rib so they can feel whole again. P6. 1842 1 164 Those on the north side are the most perfect remnants of the church, still retaining their vaulting, which is quadripartite rib and panel. 1849 E. Dobson ii. 109 Rib and Pannel vaulting is quite different in its construction. 1874 J. T. Micklethwaite 214 The rib-and-panel vault is, however, much less costly. 1989 32 7 The likelihood of a rib-and-panel canopy decorating the hall dome is borne out by [etc.]. 2001 D. Langmead 99 The use of rib-and-panel vaulting, the pointed arch, and flying buttresses. Compounds C1. General attributive. a. (In sense 1a.) the world > life > the body > structural parts > bone or bones > rib > [noun] c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. ix. 34 (MED) Þe gret god..made man likkest to hym-self..And Eue of his ribbe-bon. 1697 J. Case ii. 59 If you think that it was a Rib-Bone, we would willingly know which it was, and on which Side the Rib was taken. 1748 (ed. 4) I. 3 A Rib-bone of a large Whale. 1891 R. Kipling 302 Pambé..sent the knife home under the edge of the rib-bone. 2005 D. L. Fowler 109/1 ‘Frenching’ the chops—that is, scraping all the meat, cartilage, and fat from the long rib bone, leaving only the meaty ‘eye’—is a nice touch. 1842 T. Graham iii. xi. 1040 M. Scherer analysed this substance in its natural state..operating upon the rib-cartilage of young calves. 1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. VI. 78 It might be necessary to remove one or more rib cartilages. 1992 12 Aug. (Suppl.) 15/2 Jackson, it transpired, had tweaked a rib cartilage when hitting hurdles in the second round. b. (In sense 2.) 1681 A. Wood (1892) II. 520 Rib-bacon, by the pound, 6[d]. 1861 23 May 5/5 Dubuque Wholesale Market... Hams 10c; Shoulders 8c; Rib Bacon 8c. 2003 21 Apr. 88/2 A ‘coddler’ of rib bacon, garlic sausage, and potatoes cooked in sauerkraut. 1867 T. F. De Voe 79 The chine of pork is used for roasting, or the ribs are used for rib-chops, up as far as the blade-bone. 1936 H. L. Mencken (ed. 4) vi. 236 What we call the rib chops are [in England] the best end of the neck or best end. 2004 July 127/1 Set on a crisp cheese-potato gratin..these rib chops are some of the largest and plumpest we've ever seen. 1787 S. MacIver (new ed.) iii. 49 Take the best bit of the beef for steaks off the rib-end of a sparerib. 1867 T. F. De Voe 69 An excellent large chop..is cut off from the rib end of a saddle of mutton. 1979 Jan. 27 Rib end of sirloin. 2007 (Nexis) 3 Sept. c1 The meats available on the plates include half a smoked chicken,..rib ends, beef brisket, smoked turkey and sausage. 1846 C. E. Francatelli 244 French beef-steaks..may..be garnished with..either of the sauces named for small rib steaks. 1922 J. Joyce iii. xvii. [Ithaca] 628 On the middle shelf..a small dish containing a slice of fresh ribsteak. 2000 S. Fallon & M. Rothschild (Lonely Planet Guide) 163 A rib steak in a rich brown sauce of Bordeaux wine, shallots, butter, herbs and bone marrow. c. (In sense 8.) 1811 J. A. Repton Let. July in J. Britton III. 86 The groinings, and even the details of the columns and of the rib-mouldings, are built in the style of architecture of Edwards I. and II. 1979 54 6 The date..seems justified by the complexity of door arcade and rib mouldings. 2007 (Nexis) 23 June w7 Knox needs immediate repairs to plaster inside the church..and..to decorative rib mouldings. 1845 R. Willis 95 The foliated capitals, the square abacus, and that set diagonally when appertaining to the diagonal rib-shafts. 1914 A. M. Brooks ix. 203 There is no capital where the transverse rib shaft passes the capital of the main pier and those of the arcades. 1993 32 50 Rib shafts will almost never have the same diameter as..transverse arch shafts. 1836 1 162 For arches of thirty feet span, the section of the rib stones may be as in the annexed sketch. 1904 C. F. Mitchell viii. 238 This would be cut out of zinc and used as the templet for cutting the arch rib stones. 2001 (Nexis) 10 Jan. To figure out the different angles that have to be cut in order to seat the next rib stone..to create the arc. 1814 17 41 The forms of ribs in groined rib Vaults..are generated from the curves over the sides of the plan of the space to be covered. 1962 6 Sept. 352/2 The first example outside England of the rib-vault which marks the transition from Romanesque to true Gothic. 2002 (Nexis) 27 Apr. (Travel section) 14 Clusters of creamy-coloured columns..with rib vaults and gold ceiling bosses. 1809 S. Ware 67 In groined-vaulting, rib-vaulting, and in this improved rib-vaulting, the arches in the diagonal direction must [etc.]. 1964 3 Jan. 9 The Crusader church [in Jerusalem] consecrated in 1144,..the first church outside England to incorporate rib-vaulting. 2002 B. Risebero (ed. 3) 67 The choir [of Durham Cathedral], finished in 1104, has one of the earliest examples of rib-vaulting known in Europe. d. (In sense 10b.) ?1812 (1830) V. 724 The whole of the rib-bar is not filled with needles like the other; for here needles are only placed where ribs or stripes are to be formed. 1842 24 Sept. 4 It is supposed they are for European continental wear, foreigners being inferior workmen in the rib hosiery manufacture. 1892 6 Aug. 2/3 Arkwright's rollers have perhaps played a larger part in the world than Strutt's rib hosiery machine. 1969 7 Apr. 9 b Men's rib hosiery... Stretch nylon. 1899 18 Dec. 8/4 Men's underwear—shirts and drawers, all wool, fine rib knit, special only each..98c. 1968 J. Ironside 247 A rib knit (i.e. purl and plain) fabric is much more elastic than a plain knit. 2000 Nov. 72/1 The neck..is clearly finished with neat rib-knit cuffs and twin-needle coverstitching. ?1812 (1830) V. 724/2 A small iron slider is placed behind the rib-needles, which rises as they descend. 1980 6 A double-cylinder circular knitting machine.., said sliders..having said control butts movable along an upper knitting track to cause corresponding rib needles to knit in said upper needle cylinder. 1838 xi. 274 Reticules knit with other stitches look very pretty, as..the two coloured rib-stitch. a1884 E. H. Knight Suppl. 756/2 Rib Fabric Machine, a knitting machine adapted to make the rib stitch. 1994 2 June 49/1 Knitted in a fashionable wide rib stitch. 1848 12 Sept. Drawers, cut-up hose, silk gloves..and rib-tops, are in a very depressed state. a1884 E. H. Knight Suppl. 756/2 Rib-top Machine, a knitting machine adapted to make rib-tops of hosiery. 1913 22 Sept. 9 The rib tops are made on a separate machine and transferred to the plain machine for making the leg and foot portions. 2001 D. J. Spencer (ed. 3) xxi. 258 An attachable dial needle holder for knitting the integral rib tops at the start of the sock. 1889 (General Assembly, Pa.) 291 Basket weaves; rib weaves; granite weaves [etc.]. 1964 iv. 51/2 The Rib Weave which has ribbed or corded effects in either the warp or filling direction. 2008 (Nexis) 7 Dec. The textured rib weave and velvet trim gives it [sc. a coat] a dressed up vibe. e. Objective, instrumental, and parasynthetic (chiefly in sense 1). 1839 26 Oct. 141/2 The cervical vertebræ are characterised by their position between the preceding vertebræ and the dorsal or rib-bearing vertebræ. 1907 B. P. Colton Pref. p. v The rib-bearing vertebras are thoracic. 2007 P. Morris (ed. 2) ii. 72/1 There are eleven rib-bearing vertebrae. 1885 Ld. Tennyson Happy viii, in II. 672 This poor rib-grated dungeon of the holy human ghost. 1871 R. Browning 120 Rib-mauled, before he let the woman go. 1835 W. Kirby II. xvii. 144 The rib-supported membrane forming the flying organs of the dragon. 1907 F. Finn 257 A similar rib-supported expansion of skin forms the ‘hood’ of the cobra. 2002 P. E. Hacker in B. J. Sammler & D. Harvey I. 163 In a rib-supported system, the lath is layered rather than woven. ?1711 J. Petiver VII.–VIII. Table 78 Rib-welted Limington Tellen. C2. 1897 T. C. Allbutt et al. III. 124 Other marks of rickets such as rib beads, grooves and cartilage proliferation. 1900 W. B. Cheadle ix. 187 The forehead was somewhat prominent and the wrists large, the rib beads distinct. the world > movement > impact > striking > striking on specific part of the body > [noun] > on the body > on the ribs 1844 14 Apr. Round 10. Cutting counters with the left; body punches and rib-benders with the right. 1901 G. B. Shaw ii. 311 My calling hath apprenticed me to pangs. This is a rib-bender; but I can bear it. 2007 (Nexis) 25 June 26 I've thrown a fair few rib-benders in my life and I'd like to think I'm the best body puncher in the world. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 132 Is there yet another doates vpon rib-breaking ? View more context for this quotation 1839 5 113 We knew..to bear a rib-breaking hug without complaint. 1868 Jrnl. 18 Feb. in M. K. Armstrong (1901) 182 The driver..drove to the first station, twenty-one miles over a rough frozen road, at a rib-breaking speed. 1912 A. D. White 407 There were wild night rides, with falls and rib-breaking which cost him weeks in the hospital. 2009 (Nexis) 10 Jan. 1 a Medics like AutoPulse because it..is easier than the physically demanding and sometimes rib-breaking manual..resuscitation. the world > life > the body > internal organs > cavities occupied by internal organs > [noun] > chest 1883 Dec. 162 The rib-cage, if I may use such a term, is boldly conical. 1932 W. Faulkner x. 212 Feeling..his white chest arch deeper and deeper within his ribcage. 1978 J. Irving i. 25 There were two waist gunners tucked into the rib cage of the plane. 2007 25 Feb. 32/2 The vessels that carry the blood from the heart to and from the shoulders and arms travel through a narrow space under the clavicle and above the top of the rib cage. society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > cart, carriage, or wagon > carriage for conveying persons > [noun] > types of carriage > light carriage > two-wheeled 1795 W. Felton II. 142 The Rib chair. For lawns or parks those sort of chaises have been mostly used. 1877 G. A. Thrupp iv. 75 The Rib Chair was a similar vehicle [to the whisky], but without springs. 1912 R. Straus ix. 235 The stanhope,..much like the old rib chair, but hung from four springs. 2005 K. Olsen I. 134 The ‘rib chair’..had a semicircular wooden seat connected to a semicircular upper rail by a row of small wooden rods. 1868 G. M. Hopkins (1959) 170 At sunset featherbed sky with a fluffy and jointed rib-cloud. 2009 docweather.com 16 Feb. (O.E.D. Archive) When it gets to a cooler area the moisture in the rising current precipitates out as ice crystals. This forms the rib cloud form. 1663 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin (new ed.) ii. iv. 92 The Pleura or Rib-coate..is a membrane which on the inside cloathes the cavity of the Chest. c1720 W. Gibson i. iii. 27 A double Membrane arising from the Pleura or Rib-coat. 1929 4 Jan. 9/4 The back-slappers, the rib-diggers, the over hearty and the dwellers-in-the-limelight are to be avoided. 1997 (Nexis) 28 Feb. (Features section) 14 Rib diggers—stand-up comics Michele A'Court and Mike King. 1868 8 Dec. This process [sc. judging cattle] involved much rib-digging, flesh-grinding, girth-measuring [etc.]. 1925 H. J. Laski Let. 28 Apr. in (1953) I. 737 Love by the Countess von Arnim..seemed to me devilish clever, with a sly rib-digging quality not unworthy of Jane Austen. 1989 J. Nardin ii. 39 The narrator's tone is..consistently misogynistic..and there is a lot of rib-digging, antifeminist humor. 1993 (Nexis) 1 Oct. (Features section) 22 Prescott called up nods, winks, rib-diggings, shrugs and Gallic spreadings of the arms. the world > food and drink > food > animals for food > beef > [noun] > other cuts or parts 1926 3 Feb. 10/1 Roast-ready rib is prepared..starting at a fixed point determined by measuring off 3 in. from extreme outer tip of rib-eye muscle at 12th rib. 1943 P. T. Ziegler xvi. 255 A recent practice is to cut out the rib eye of the better grades of ribs and serve them as club steak. 1966 A. Hawkins (end-paper) Ribeye steak. 1978 June 229/1 Recommended: the special rib-eye steak and the Lithuanian roast duck. 2007 May 202/3 At the Wildside Restaurant, chef Will Godman cooks one of the finest rib-eye fillets you'll eat in Tasmania. the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > types of deer > [noun] > genus Muntiacus (muntjak) 1781 T. Pennant I. 107 (margin) Rib-faced [Deer]. 1874 T. C. Jerdon (new ed.) 265 The Rib-faced deer is found in all the thick jungles and forests of India. 1980 S. H. Prater (ed. 3) xx. 294 The antlers..are set on bony hair-covered pedicels which extend down each side of the face as bony ridges, hence the name Ribfaced Deer. 2007 E. C. Mungall 103/1 Indian muntjac (red muntjac, barking deer, rib-faced deer). the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (land) [verb (transitive)] > of a furrow: plough 1796 J. Donaldson II. 289 In many parts of Scotland, and in some counties in England, it is indeed a common practice to, what in Scotland is called, rib-furrow..a field in autumn. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > [noun] > ribbing 1805 R. W. Dickson I. 579 This in some places is termed by farmers rib-furrowing. society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > prostitution > [noun] > brothel 1940 14 Dec. 20/3 Negro leaders could make more money running a rib joint. 1943 M. Shulman xx. 192 One night Scott became involved in a fracas in a Minneapolis rib joint. 1989 Nov. 40/1 The roots of prairie cuisine are everywhere, from rural cornfields..and rib joints, to the pizza parlors and ethnic dives of the cities. 2009 (Nexis) 2 Feb. Much of the neighborhood economy [of Detroit] revolves around rib joints, Coney hot dog stands and liquor stores. 1874 2 63 The rib-levers are free to move at their anterior extremities. 1889 Feb. 235 By the movement of the rib-levers the body [of a serpent] is drawn forwards. 1920 A. Keith xiii. 127 The whole of that part of a rib-lever which is situated in the back of the body forms a fulcrum or axis. 1978 R. Roaf in D. N. Ghista & R. Roaf I. ii. 37 (caption) Diminished leverage of trunk muscles on convex side of curve due to the shortening of the effective rib lever. 1938 65 534 In the spur shoot, the vertical extent of the rib meristem is short and is followed abruptly by the region of expanding and maturing parenchyma. 2008 20 2059/1 Below the central and peripheral regions of the shoot apical meristem, the rib meristem generates the pith of the stem and petioles. the world > animals > mammals > order Primates > suborder Anthropoidea (higher primates) > [noun] > group Catarrhinae (Old World monkey) > family Cercopithecidae > genus Mandrillus > Mandrillus sphinx (mandrill) 1792 R. Kerr 61 Rib-nosed baboon. 1898 T. Watts-Dunton (1900) 93/2 A blue-faced rib-nosed baboon. 1911 A. Bierce Devil's Dict. in VII. 322 General H. H. Wotherspoon..has a pet rib-nosed baboon, an animal of uncommon intelligence but imperfectly beautiful. 1941 28 51 1 mandrill or rib-nosed baboon (Papio maimon = P. sphinx). the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > [noun] > ribbing 1794 J. MacPhail 443 Rib-plowing, or ribbing, is performed by making furrows about two feet distant from each other; one half of the surface is left untouched by the plough, and the other half..is thrown on the top of what remains fast. 1811 G. S. Keith 233 They are broke up from grass by what is called a rib-ploughing,..one part of the sward being turned by the plough upon the surface of an equal portion of that which is not raised. 1999 A. Fenton (new rev. ed.) i. 14 There was a kind of fallow on the outfield which involved ploughing or rib-ploughing. 1814 17 76 On comparing rib pointed vaulting with Roman vaulting, it will be invariably found, that the rib itself is thinner than the uniform thickness of the Roman vaulting. 1856 248 Undergoing a searching rib-poking, and tongue-investigating, and pulse-feeling professional examination. 1888 9 June 103/1 Some are foolish after a smiling and rib-poking fashion. 1969 J. Gross i. 11 The mere thought of ‘Maga’ in full spate, with its hoaxes and rib-poking and learned tomfoolery, is enough to induce a headache. 1977 30 Apr. 9/7 Most of the jokes in Joe Lang's play are rib-poking stuff. 2007 (Nexis) 3 Oct. (Commentary section) Every so often I'll blurt out a ‘Right on!’ or an ‘I can dig it!’ This, of course, draws snickers and rib-poking. the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [verb (transitive)] > basket-making > processes involved in 1959 D. Wright iv. 125 Rib-rand the ball..finishing with a round of pairing. the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [noun] > manufacture of fabric from specific materials > manufacture of articles made from twigs, etc. > basket-making > processes 1912 T. Okey ix. 92 Rib-randing..is used..where it is desirable to break the monotony of a deep space of simple randing. 1959 D. Wright ii. 36 Rib-randing..must be worked over a number of stakes not divisible by three. The close weave is useful on lids. 1989 F. Hoppe 1999 20 Japanese weave, also called rib or Chinese randing, is woven over two spokes and under one. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > framework of building > [noun] > joist > support for c1350 Nominale (Cambr. Ee.4.20) in (1906) 14* Treefs et guenchisons, Bemes and ribresenes. the world > movement > progressive motion > moving along with hands and feet or with body prone > [noun] the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > [noun] > climbing or scaling 1920 G. W. Young iv. 169 (heading) Rib riding... To sit close astride, and claw up the rock,..is customary;..but the really safer method..is to keep the body away. 1992 W. Unsworth (rev. ed.) 14 À cheval, a method of climbing a rib or arête in which the climber places one foot on either side of the arête and grips the crest with his hands... The Americans call it rib-riding. the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > harrowing equipment > [noun] > roller 1862 7 Mar. Light spring Trap, Gig, Chain and other Harrows,..four-horse rib-Rolls. 1871 29 Dec. 16 Sept. A useful collection of agricultural implements..iron ploughs, broadshare, jointed rib-roll. 1969 G. E. Evans 176 Rib-roll, land roller with corrugated surface. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > break up land [verb (transitive)] > with other implements 1971 Feb. 29/2 The crop is not rib rolled until the peas have chitted and are just coming through. 1794 D. Steel I. 152 Rib-saw is a long narrow saw used in a pit. 1839 IV. 230/2 Blocks..have one hole bored at each end..and the wood is sawed out with a rib-saw. 1961 14 May 6 c His [sc. a violin maker's] tools are very simple and yet meet the most exacting requirements. He has a band saw, a rib saw,..and six tiny planes. 1896 W. Ewart in 21 Mar. 720/1 The First Rib Sign.—In all cases of considerable pericardial effusion which I have examined for this sign, it was possible to feel with the finger the upper edge of the first rib as far as its sternal attachment.] 1900 Mar. 84/2 The most pathognomonic sign is a looseness of the tenth rib... The rib-sign reveals the true nature of these otherwise inexplicable cases [of enteroptosis]. 2003 M. Davies in S. Chapman & R. Nakielny (ed. 4) 53 Rib signs are unusual before 10 years of age. 1900 10 May 3 The rope, ladder and pole climbing, rib stall, gymnastics, buck and horse vaulting and balancing followed the drills. 1908 Dec. 2 The heart of the Games' Mistress still yearns after some more ribstalls, a Norwegian ladder, and a bench for remedial work. 1994 B. Hambly i.1 Doing ham stretches on the ribstalls with the air of people not quite eavesdropping. 1829 23 205 Their [sc. hounds'] food should have less ‘rib-sticking’ qualities. 1917 July 420/2 A rib-sticking supper was served and plenty of refreshments were to be had. 2003 July–Aug. 21/2 There's always a queue..for the superb fish and chips, dressed crab and ribsticking British puds such as spotted dick. 1778Rib stocking [see sense 10b]. 1786 W. Huntingdon Life of Author in (ed. 2) 79 His religion..is like a rib-stocking, it will shrink or yield to any leg. 1821 6 Sept. 2 They wanted to dismiss this jury and get another, a rib-stocking jury, that would bend to any thing. 1843 XXVII. 180/2 This rib-stocking frame was one of the contrivances which led by gradual improvements to the net-machines. 1926 17 Aug. 2 Lisle Sport Rib Stockings in French nude, black and brown. 2006 (Nexis) 16 Mar. 10 (caption) Rib stockings worn with summer sandals. 1832 J. Rennie 147 The Rib-striped Snout (C[ledeobia] Costæ-strigalis, Stephens). 1866 S. W. Theakston (ed. 9) 159 Hypenodes Costæstrigalis, Rib-striped Snout. 1839 A. Ure 981 The upper coals are then begun to be worked, next the rib-wall. 1920 Apr. 61/2 The longer section is inserted parallel to the ‘rib’ wall. 2007 20 608/2 Each llem[= Lake Lynn Experimental Mine] drift has 10 data-gathering..stations inset in the rib wall. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022). † ribn.2Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Probably < the same Germanic base as rib n.1 (compare rib n.1 12a), being so called (in sense 1) on account of from the prominent ribs on its leaves; compare Middle Low German ribbe ; compare also ribwort n. and parallels from other Germanic languages cited at that entry, and also ribgrass n.; compare also Middle Low German ripvōt , hundesribbe both denoting ribwort plantain. In sense 2 reflecting occasional confusion of classical Latin cynoglossos (also post-classical Latin cynoglossa ) hound's tongue and post-classical Latin arnoglossos (also arnoglossa ) plantain (compare sense 1), especially in the transmission of Pseudo-Apuleius (see Herbarium 1. 70 and compare quot. OE at sense 2), probably ultimately going back to occasional use of Hellenistic Greek κυνόγλωσσον (usually ‘hound's tongue’: see cynogloss n.) as a synonym for Hellenistic Greek ἀρνόγλωσσον plantain, lit. ‘lamb's tongue’ (Dioscorides 2. 126). The reason for use in sense 3 is not clear.Also attested early in place names (presumably in sense 1), as Ribeford , Worcestershire (1086; also æt Ribbedforda in an 18th-cent. copy of a lost charter of a1023; now Ribbesford), Ripestan , West Riding, Yorkshire (1086; now Great Ribston), Ribton , Cumberland (12th cent.). Compare also ribbie n.1 Obsolete. the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Plantaginaceae > [noun] eOE (Royal) (1865) i. xxxviii. 96 Dolhsealf: genim ribban, & gearwan, & dolhrunan nioþowearde, & doccan & gose scearn & pices lytel, & hunig, wylle on buteran. OE Brussels Gloss. in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker (1884) I. 299 Quinquenerbia, ribbe. a1200 Glosses to De Viribus Herbarum of Macer (Vitell. C.iii) in (1974) 92 286 De minori plantagine : ribbe uel lanceleie. a1300 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker (1884) I. 556/38 Lanceolata, i. launceleie, ribbe. ?a1425 f. 160v (MED) Take planteyn, ribbe, folefote..stampe alle togidere and meddle þer wiþ barowis grese. c1450 Med. Recipes (BL Add. 33996) in F. Heinrich (1896) 176 Weybrode, rybbe, brusewort. 1483 (BL Add. 89074) (1881) 306 Rybbe; herba est. 1697 J. Donaldson (new ed.) 8 Sowing seeds of cloaver and other grass, ryb seed. 1799 A. Young 104 White clover, rib, and trefoil. the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Boraginaceae (bugloss and allies) > [noun] eOE Cleopatra Gloss. in W. G. Stryker (Ph.D. diss., Stanford Univ.) (1951) 84 Canis lingua, ribbe, hundes tunge. OE tr. Pseudo-Apuleius (Vitell.) (1984) xcviii. 142 Ðas wyrte þe man cynoglossam & oðrum naman ribbe nemneþ & hy eac sume men linguam canis hateþ. lOE 12 Cynoglossa, ribbe. the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular vegetables > [noun] 1847 J. O. Halliwell Rib,..3. The common water-cress. East. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022). † ribn.3Origin: Of uncertain origin. Perhaps a variant or alteration of another lexical item. Etymon: rib n.1 Etymology: Origin uncertain; related to rib v.1 and earlier ribber n.1; perhaps simply a spec. use of rib n.1 (compare post-classical Latin costa costa n.1 in similar use, which the Middle English word often renders in glossaries). Compare Middle Low German ribbeīseren , ribbeīsern , ripīseren , ribbīseren , etc., denoting a tool for cleaning flax, and similarly German Rippe (19th cent., rare). Perhaps compare also ripple n.2 and foreign-language forms cited at that entry. Obsolete. the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > treating or processing textile materials > treating or processing flax, hemp, or jute > [noun] > other equipment a1325 (Cambr.) (1929) 426 Rastuer, ribbe [v.rr. douw ribbe; trowh ryb; scrapel]. c1350 Nominale (Cambr. Ee.4.20) in (1906) 16* Rastel martel et rastuere, Rake hamur and ribbe. c1400 (Trin. Cambr.) (1909) 35 (MED) Whanne atte swynglyingstoke hyt [sc. flax] haþ hys deute, Þanne ȝe shulle go to rybbe. c1400 (Trin. Cambr.) (1909) 32 (MED) Rastuer fait le auge beal: þe Ryb makeþ þe throw clene. (Harl. 221) 432 Rybbe, ynstrument, rupa. 1483 (BL Add. 89074) (1881) 306 (MED) A Ryb for lyne. ?a1500 Nominale (Yale Beinecke 594) in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker (1884) I. 795/19 Costa, a rybbe. 1530 J. Palsgrave 262/2 Ribbe for flaxe. 1847 J. O. Halliwell at word Rib,..An instrument for dressing flax... A scraper or rasp for bread. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022). ribn.4 Origin: A borrowing from Irish. Etymon: Irish ribe. Etymology: < Irish ribe (single) hair (16th cent. or earlier as ruibe), of unknown origin. Irish English. the world > life > the body > hair > [noun] > a hair 1864 Dec. 349 Feeling with his hand, lest a single rib of hair on his well greased poll should have strayed from its proper place. 1888 W. B. Yeats 19 Every rib of hair on his head stood up. 1911 16 Sept. 2/3 You have not a gray rib in your hair yet. 1915 26 183 That is a rib of the hair of the queen. 1994 15 May 17/1 The hair impeccably groomed with never a rib out of place. 2007 (Nexis) 29 July 30 Every laugh-line, wrinkle, tooth and rib of hair is clear and distinct. This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † ribv.1Origin: Probably formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: rib n.3 Etymology: Probably < rib n.3: see discussion at that entry. Compare Dutch ribben , German rippen in the same sense (both rare). ribber n.1 may imply earlier currency. Obsolete. the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > treating or processing textile materials > treating or processing flax, hemp, or jute > treat or process flax, hemp, or jute [verb (transitive)] > beat a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add.) f. 233v Þe flex is..y-ribbed and y-hecchelid and y-sponne. c1400 W. Langland (Cambr. Dd.3.13) (1873) C. x. l. 81 Ribbe [c1400 Huntington HM 137 To rubbe and to rely, russhes to pilie, Þat reuthe is to rede]. (Harl. 221) 433 Rybbyn flax, hempe, or oþer lyke, metaxo. ?c1475 (BL Add. 15562) f. 104 To Ribe lyne; costare, excostare. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online December 2020). ribv.2 Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: rib n.1 Etymology: < rib n.1 Compare Middle Dutch rebben to provide with laths or beams, German regional (Low German) ribben to poke someone in the ribs, to make someone pay up, German rippen to provide with ribs (rare). Compare earlier ribbed adj. 1. the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > enclosing or enclosure > enclose [verb (transitive)] the world > space > relative position > support > [verb (transitive)] > as with ribs a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil (1557) ii. sig. Aivv Which masse he willed to be reared hye Toward the skies, and ribbed all with oke. 1600 W. Shakespeare ii. vii. 51 It were too grosse to ribb her serecloth in the obscure graue. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. i. 19 Your Isle, which stands As Neptunes Parke, ribb'd, and pal'd in With Oakes vnskaleable. View more context for this quotation a1625 J. Fletcher Loyal Subj. i. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher (1647) sig. Ccc4/2 Never Armes more Shall rib this body in, nor sword hang here, sir. 1657 in M. Wood (1940) IX. 56 To ribb and floore all the haill schooll..with dight daills. 1725 A. Pope tr. Homer II. v. 321 So large he [sc. Ulysses] built the Raft; then ribb'd it strong From space to space. 1766 J. Entick Surv. London in IV. 207 He only ribbed the outward Cupola. 1791 E. Darwin i. 178 The diving castles..Ribb'd with strong oak. 1823 J. Galt I. iii. 29 A wicket was opened in the doors, ribbed with iron stainchers on the outside. 1858 W. Greener 244 A fresh Act in 1815, by which parties receiving any barrel to rib, stock, &c. 1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid ii, in tr. 110 The Achæan chieftains..contrive an enormous horse, Vast as a mountain, and rib it with timbers sawn from the pine. 1887 H. Hall x. 322 The canoe was a mere cockleshell of birch bark, ribbed with slender strips of wood. 1921 Z. Grey (1924) i. 23 The very forest-fringed earth seemed to have opened into a deep abyss, ribbed by red rock walls. 1988 May 24/2 (advt.) Binoculars... The barrels are ribbed for safe handling. 2003 (Nexis) 1 Feb. 6 The numerous, rather small windows are ribbed with stone mullions. 1652 No. 41. 323 Their ships (ribb'd with riches) have all the Sword-fishes to guard them from Pyrates and Dutch Demons. 1657 W. Morice x. 117 As if they would ribbe or buttress the former Argument. 1829 N. P. Rogers in (1847) 80 He was before a pent moral volcano—ribbed in by these pew and pulpit obstructions. 1914 67 474 Grant us the strength to labor as we know; Grant us the purpose ribbed with steel To strike the blow. 2008 D. Weber x. 301 [In her eyes there was] something dark and passionate and ribbed with iron pride. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > body of vessel > [verb (transitive)] > form ribs of ship 1723 E. Haywood ii. 63 She had catch'd fast hold of one of the Beams which ribb'd the side of the Ship. a1800 W. Cowper Yardley-Oak in W. Hayley (1804) III. 413 Thou [sc. an oak] hadst within thy bole solid contents, That might have ribb'd the sides and plank'd the deck Of some flagg'd admiral. 1873 226 Truth, right, justice..[are]..more real than the iron and the granite which rib the everlasting hills. 1905 A. O. Wheeler i. ii. 54 The lateral ridges of rock which rib the amphitheatre. 2007 P. C. Doherty (2008) vi. 163 Polished strips of timber which ribbed the painted white plaster. 2. the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > corrugation > corrugate [verb (transitive)] > ridge 1548 f. lxxvj A garment of Clothe of Siluer, of Damaske, ribbed with Clothe of Golde. 1653 T. Barker 5 A red Palmer ribbed with gold, and a red hackle mixed with Orenge cruel. 1797 R. Beilby & T. Bewick I. 45 Its belly is ribbed with bars of a brown colour. 1817 P. B. Shelley vi. xlvi. 151 The wide sky..was ribbed overhead By the black rafters. 1862 G. W. Thornbury I. 281 Brown lines of ink that quite rib the paper. 1871 C. Kingsley I. v. 155 The background of mountain, ribbed and gullied..by the tropic rains. 1927 J. Buchan ii. 37 The track, much ribbed by tree roots, showed white before him. 1989 W. Dalrymple (1990) iv. 143 Extraordinary structures..ribbed by bands of crude but very striking brick-work. 2005 T. Hall ii. 31 The skin above her upper lip was ribbed like the surface of a clamshell. the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (land) [verb (transitive)] > rib 1735 in (1892) 155 That no ground be brunt..at all except what is ribb'd. 1778 A. Wight I. 238 In the culture of beans he always finds success in ribbing the ground immediately after the wheat is removed. 1799 J. Robertson 134 The farmers have a practice..of ribbing their land, i.e. they turn up and leave a furrow alternately. 1835 C. Howard Gen. View Agric. E. Riding Yorks. 4 in (Libr. Useful Knowl.) (1840) III When the land is in good order, one horse will rib about three acres a day. 1851 12 i. 124 It would be found advantageous to rib or half-plough the land across in autumn. 1903 in (1904) V. 95/2 We'll rib, an' sow this corn. 1953 M. Traynor 231/2 Rib, to plough in a particular manner. the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [verb (transitive)] > knit > processes involved in 1837 Miss Watts 63 Knit 8 stitches, rib 6, knit 2, rib 2, knit the rest. 1882 S. F. A. Caulfeild & B. C. Saward 286/1 Rows ribbed the length of the knitting are made by knit 2 stitches, purl 2, and repeat to the end. 1882 S. F. A. Caulfeild & B. C. Saward 301/1 Knit two rounds, then rib with two purl and two knit stitches alternately for twenty-four rounds. 1951 D. M. Becket 6 Continuing in single wool, rib as follows:- p.1, *k.1, p.1, rep. from *to end. 1986 June 15/1 Cast on 108 sts and rib 5 cm. 1997 D. Bliss 34/3 Rib 2 rows. Cast off in rib. 1688 R. Holme iii. 105/2 Terms used by the Fletchers or Arrow-Makers... Ribbing [the feathers] is cutting the side skirts away. the world > movement > impact > striking > striking on specific part of the body > strike on specific part of body [verb (transitive)] > on the ribs 1710 S. Centlivre iii. i. 35 An I catch you out of this house, by the Mass I'll rib you. 1771 F. Gentleman ii. i. 44 When we are married, if any man does but squint at you, I'll plump, and rib him. 1773 (new ed.) II. at Prælumbo To beat well about the loins, to rib one. 1820 ‘R. Breakwindow’ 54 When your bunch of five tickled his muns, and then ribb'd him. 1821 Nov. 396/2 The corporal got him round the neck with one hand, and ribbed him in the face with the other. 1904 V. 95/2 Rib, to pummel or punch in the sides. the world > space > relative position > inclination > divergence > diverge [verb (intransitive)] > ramify or branch > branch off or out 1856 iii. 66 The street which runs along the tongue of land on which Valetta is built, the backbone whence the others rib off on each side. 1880 S. B. Lakeman 95 A deep glen between the stony ridges that ribbed off from the water-kloof heights. 6. slang (chiefly U.S.). 1899 W. J. Kountz 55 She had you all ribbed up and done to a turn. 1905 B. L. Standish 136 I'll get a good slice of Standing's money... I ribbed him up on this game last night. 1916 E. M. Rhodes (1920) 143 Lisner tried to rib him up to go after Foy and waylay him—told him he had been threatening Foy's life while he was drunk. 1921 A. Jennings v. 34 He had ribbed Houston to the shooting. 1930 Dec. 457/2 Rib, to beguile. ‘We rib the sap that it's McCoy and he goes for it.’ 1972 B. Jackson 200 This is a trick of whores, you know. They'll rib you into these kind of positions. 1996 R. H. Williams 104 Finally I ribbed myself up to move across and ask if I might sit beside her. the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > derision, ridicule, or mockery > banter or good-humoured ridicule > banter [verb (transitive)] > make a fool of the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > duping, making a fool of > befool, cheat, dupe [verb (transitive)] 1912 in R. C. Murphy (1947) 5 The Old Man..enjoys ribbing the scientist... ‘Griddlecakes, Steward,..is the scientific name for flapjacks.’ 1934 J. O'Hara (1935) 98 Mr. Robert Hermann is in his best form, ribbing me about last night. 1960 ‘N. Shute’ 294 Quit ribbing, Sol. 1976 31 Dec. 1640/3 [Ben] Jonson was ribbed on more than one occasion for daring to put forth his collected works even before he could have been called middle-aged. 2008 (National ed.) 17 Mar. a19/5 The..few who have retained a brogue are often ribbed by their colleagues, particularly around St. Patrick's Day. the mind > attention and judgement > testing > accusation, charge > accuse [verb (transitive)] > involve, implicate 1926 Nov. 162/1 Rib, to frame up. 1929 G. L. Hostetter & T. Q. Beesley 236 Rib, to talk about anyone, to talk slander about anyone. 1935 10 52/2 To rib (to discredit). This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022). > as lemmasRIB 1982 Mar. 93/3 The RIB comprises a solid, V-shaped hull fixed to an inflatable tube above the water line that serves as a combination gunwale and fender. 2002 12 Jan. (Mag.) 44/1 You usually see rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) on the news crashing through towering waves to rescue capsized yachts or assaulting polluting oil rigs. < |
