rife (2009-06-14)

Part of Speech: adjective

Pronunciation: [rIf]

Definition: Prevalent, wide-spread, occurring in great numbers over a wide area; abundant, plentiful.

Usage: Although this word is more often associated with pejorative abundance (rife with bribery, dope, abuse), positive associations are equally possible: "Even today the economy is rife with opportunities" or "I live in a community rife with support and cooperation." We hope that our Words of the Day are always rife with information about the English language and that information about English is rife in all our Words of the Day. Let's not give this one up to the bad connotations.

Suggested Usage: Today's word may be compared: the comparative is "rifer" and the superlative is "rifest." The noun is "rifeness." This adjective leads an interesting double life with two prepositions that allow switching its subject and object. We may say, "E-mail abuse is rife in the workplace" or "The workplace is rife with e-mail abuse."

Etymology: Today's word seems to be a rare English original. It descended from Old English "rýfe" via Middle English "rif," "rife," "rive." It is related to Dutch rijf "abundant," Icelandic rifr "abundant" and Norwegian "riv." Icelandic reifir "giver" may also be related.