Rib
[rɪb]
Definition
(noun.) support resembling the rib of an animal.
(noun.) a projecting molding on the underside of a vault or ceiling; may be ornamental or structural.
(noun.) a riblike supporting or strengthening part of an animal or plant.
(noun.) any of the 12 pairs of curved arches of bone extending from the spine to or toward the sternum in humans (and similar bones in most vertebrates).
(noun.) a teasing remark.
(noun.) cut of meat including one or more ribs.
(verb.) form vertical ribs by knitting; 'A ribbed sweater'.
Editor: Sallust--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) One of the curved bones attached to the vertebral column and supporting the lateral walls of the thorax.
(n.) That which resembles a rib in form or use.
(n.) One of the timbers, or bars of iron or steel, that branch outward and upward from the keel, to support the skin or planking, and give shape and strength to the vessel.
(n.) A ridge, fin, or wing, as on a plate, cylinder, beam, etc., to strengthen or stiffen it.
(n.) One of the rods on which the cover of an umbrella is extended.
(n.) A prominent line or ridge, as in cloth.
(n.) A longitudinal strip of metal uniting the barrels of a double-barreled gun.
(n.) The chief nerve, or one of the chief nerves, of a leaf.
(n.) Any longitudinal ridge in a plant.
(n.) In Gothic vaulting, one of the primary members of the vault. These are strong arches, meeting and crossing one another, dividing the whole space into triangles, which are then filled by vaulted construction of lighter material. Hence, an imitation of one of these in wood, plaster, or the like.
(n.) A projecting mold, or group of moldings, forming with others a pattern, as on a ceiling, ornamental door, or the like.
(n.) Solid coal on the side of a gallery; solid ore in a vein.
(n.) An elongated pillar of ore or coal left as a support.
(n.) A wife; -- in allusion to Eve, as made out of Adam's rib.
(v. t.) To furnish with ribs; to form with rising lines and channels; as, to rib cloth.
(v. t.) To inclose, as with ribs, and protect; to shut in.
Edited by Eileen
Definition
n. one of the bones from the backbone which encircle the chest: anything like a rib in form or use: a piece of meat containing one or more ribs: a piece of timber which helps to form or strengthen the side of a ship: a vein of a leaf or an insect's wing: a prominence running in a line: a ridge: (archit.) a moulding or projecting band on a ceiling: one of the rods on which the cover of an umbrella is extended: (coll.) a wife (from Gen. ii. 21-23).—v.t. to furnish or enclose with ribs: to form with rising lines—as corduroy: to enclose:—pr.p. rib′bing; pa.t. and pa.p. ribbed.—ns. Rib′-band a piece of timber bolted longitudinally to the ribs of a vessel to hold them in position; Rib′bing an arrangement of ribs; Rib′-grass the ribwort plantain.—adj. Rib′less having no ribs.—n. Rib′let a rudimentary rib.—adjs. Rib′-like like a rib: resembling a rib; Rib′-nosed having the snout ribbed as a baboon.—v.t. Rib′-roast to beat soundly.—ns. Rib′-roast′er (coll.) a severe blow on the ribs; Rib′-roast′ing a severe beating; Rib′-vault′ing.
n. hound's tongue: water-cress.
Typist: Nicholas
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of seeing ribs, denotes poverty and misery.
Checked by Abram
Examples
- Four arches form each span, each arch consisting of an upper and lower curved member or rib, extending from pier to pier, and each member composed of two parallel steel tubes. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- That last part of thy speech, Dennet, said the Minstrel, has saved thee a rib or twain. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- A departure was early made in the matter of strengthening the ribs of oak to better meet the strains from the rough seas. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- There's a tub of lard on the ribs of each one. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- Here the heart of St. Philip Neri was so inflamed with divine love as to burst his ribs. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- You see me now with my back like a camel and my ribs all awry, but there was a time when Corporal Henry Wood was the smartest man in the 117th foot. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- The caudal and sacral vertebrae vary in number; as does the number of the ribs, together with their relative breadth and the presence of processes. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- A portion of his chest was laid bare to the ribs, three of which had been broken by the mighty blows of the gorilla. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- She moved a little way and he pushed her hard in the ribs with his left hand again to make her get really away. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- Pinner says she's always about your trinket-box and drawers, and everybody's drawers, and she's sure she's put your white ribbing into her box. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- On our left were the granite-ribbed domes of old Spain. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- Look at the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- Since Ericsson's day other inventors have made themselves also famous by giving new twists to the tail of this famous fish and new forms to its iron-ribbed body. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- A gigantic battle against floods and torrents, pestilence and swamps, tropical rivers, jungles and rock-ribbed mountains had been fought--and won! Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
Checked by Barlow