rib Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun support resembling the rib of an animal
  2. 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)
    costa.
  3. noun cut of meat including one or more ribs
  4. noun a teasing remark
  5. noun a riblike supporting or strengthening part of an animal or plant
  6. noun a projecting molding on the underside of a vault or ceiling; may be ornamental or structural
  7. verb form vertical ribs by knitting
    • A ribbed sweater
  8. verb subject to laughter or ridicule
    laugh at; make fun; ridicule; blackguard; poke fun; roast; guy; jest at.
    • The satirists ridiculed the plans for a new opera house
    • The students poked fun at the inexperienced teacher
    • His former students roasted the professor at his 60th birthday

WordNet

Rib noun
Etymology
AS. rib, ribb; akin to D. rib, G. rippe, OHG. rippa, rippi, Dan. ribbe, Icel. rif, Russ. rebro.
Definitions
  1. (Anat.) One of the curved bones attached to the vertebral column and supporting the lateral walls of the thorax. ✍ In man there are twelve ribs on each side, of which the upper seven are directly connected with the sternum by cartilages, and are called sternal, or true, ribs. The remaining five pairs are called asternal, or false, ribs, and of these each of the three upper pairs is attached to the cartilage of the rib above, while the two lower pairs are free at the ventral ends, and are called floating ribs. See Thorax.
  2. That which resembles a rib in form or use. Specifically: (a) (Shipbuilding) 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. (b) (Mach. & Structures) A ridge, fin, or wing, as on a plate, cylinder, beam, etc., to strengthen or stiffen it. (c) One of the rods on which the cover of an umbrella is extended. (d) A prominent line or ridge, as in cloth. (e) A longitudinal strip of metal uniting the barrels of a double-barreled gun.
  3. (Bot.) The chief nerve, or one of the chief nerves, of a leaf. (b) Any longitudinal ridge in a plant.
  4. (Arch.) (a) 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. (b) A projecting mold, or group of moldings, forming with others a pattern, as on a ceiling, ornamental door, or the like.
  5. (Mining) (a) Solid coal on the side of a gallery; solid ore in a vein. (b) An elongated pillar of ore or coal left as a support. Raymond.
  6. A wife; -- in allusion to Eve, as made out of Adam's rib. Familiar & Sportive
    How many have we known whose heads have been broken with their own rib. Bp. Hall.
Rib transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Ribbed ; present participle & verbal noun Ribbing
Definitions
  1. To furnish with ribs; to form with rising lines and channels; as, to rib cloth.
  2. To inclose, as with ribs, and protect; to shut in. 3. To kid; to poke fun at.
    It [lead] were too gross To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave. Shak.

Webster 1913