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rib Definition

rib (rib)

noun

  1. any of the arched bones attached posteriorly to the vertebral column and enclosing the chest cavity: in humans there are twelve pairs of such bones
    1. a cut of meat having one or more ribs
    2. spareribs
  2. a wife: in humorous reference to the Biblical creation of Eve from Adam's rib (Gen. 2:21-22)
  3. a raised ridge in cloth, esp. in knitted material
  4. any of the curved crosspieces extending from the keel to the top of the hull in a ship, forming its framework
  5. the structural crosspieces attached to a spar for shaping and strengthening an airplane wing
  6. any narrow riblike piece used to form, strengthen, or shape something a rib of an umbrella
  7. Etymology: < the rib, sense

    Slang
    1. a teasing or bantering remark or action
    2. a satire or parody
  8. Archit.
    1. a long curved piece in an arch
    2. any of the transverse and intersecting arches of a vault
  9. Bot. any of the main veins in a leaf

Etymology: ME ribbe < OE rib, akin to ON rif, Ger rippe < IE base *rebh-, to arch over, roof over > Gr ereptein, to crown, OSlav rebro, rib

transitive verb ribbed, rib·bing

  1. to provide, form, or strengthen with a rib or ribs
  2. to put ribs in; mark with ribs
  3. Etymology: prob. < rib-tickle

    Slang to tease or make fun of; kid

rib Synonyms

rib

n.

  1. One part of the bony frame of the thorax

    true rib, false rib, floating rib, slat*, slab*, rod*, floater*; see also bone.

  2. A rod

    girder, bar, strip; see rod 1, support 2.

  3. A ridge

    fin, nervure, vaulting; see ridge 1.

rib Usage Examples

Object

  • cuff: Cut to a large but classic style with ribbed cuffs and collar, it has 2 buttons and a spare.
  • vault: A cathedral hull, moss vault ribbed with flying buttresses.

Converse of object

  • bruise: In my case, this took the form of a bruised rib, which is still a trifle painful.
  • stiffen: It should fold naturally into a rectangular section tube as the cloth is more flexible between the columns of stiffening ribs.
  • crack: However, he had once danced Romeo with a cracked rib.

Adjective modifier

  • fractured: Apply an elevated sling, padding and a broad bandage to manage fractured ribs.
  • broken: Edward lead his army into battle despite having two broken ribs, sustained from a kick from a horse.
  • slabby: Climb boldly up this, and the rough slabby rib above.
  • blunt: Pass to the left of the second bolt to gain a very blunt rib.
  • well-sprung: The body should be long and heavy and near to the ground with a deep chest and well-sprung ribs.
  • diagonal: These soft pointed handles have a diagonal rib swirled like an ice cream in a cone.

Modifies a noun

  • cage: The dog's waist is the area behind the rib cage viewed from the top.
  • cook-off: The table where rib cook-off in may who was cup of coffee.
  • vaulting: The north chancel aisle, known as the Piper Choir, has quadripartite rib vaulting.
  • steak: Grills: A daily choice of grilled gammon, rib eye steak or char grilled chicken breast.
  • fracture: These findings suggest that these rib fractures have occurred at different times.

Noun used with modifier

  • balsa: If using a balsa wing root rib the wing root face should be reinforced using carbon cloth when the retracts have been fitted.
  • pork: The tender meat of skate clinging to the strip of cartilage is reminiscent of pork ribs.
  • aluminum: They have forward and aft braced spars with integral aluminum ribs.

Preposition: of

  • beef: I eat massive meals prepared with local produce, ribs of beef, partridge, wild duck, grouse and pheasant.

Browse dictionary entries near rib

  1. riata
  2. riant
  3. rialto
  4. rial
  5. ria
  6. rhyton
  7. rhytidectomy
  8. rhythmist
  9. rhythmics
  10. rhythmicity
  1. rib cage
  2. rib-eye
  3. rib-eye (steak)
  4. riba
  5. ribald
  6. ribaldry
  7. riband
  8. ribavirin
  9. ribband
  10. ribbing