rig Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun gear (including necessary machinery) for a particular enterprise
  2. noun a truck consisting of a tractor and trailer together
    trailer truck; tractor trailer; semi; trucking rig; articulated lorry.
  3. noun formation of masts, spars, sails, etc., on a vessel
    rigging.
  4. noun a set of clothing (with accessories)
    turnout; getup; outfit.
    • his getup was exceedingly elegant
  5. noun gear used in fishing
    fishing gear; tackle; fishing rig; fishing tackle.
  6. noun a vehicle with wheels drawn by one or more horses
    carriage; equipage.
  7. noun the act of swindling by some fraudulent scheme
    cheat; swindle.
    • that book is a fraud
  8. verb arrange the outcome of by means of deceit
    set up.
    • rig an election
  9. verb manipulate in a fraudulent manner
    manipulate.
    • rig prices
  10. verb connect or secure to
    • They rigged the bomb to the ignition
  11. verb equip with sails or masts
    set; set up.
    • rig a ship

WordNet

Rig noun
Etymology
See Ridge.
Definitions
  1. A ridge. Prov. or Scott.
Rig transitive verb
Etymology
Norweg. rigga to bind, particularly, to wrap round, rig; cf. AS. wrihan to cover.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Rigged ; present participle & verbal noun Rigging
Definitions
  1. To furnish with apparatus or gear; to fit with tackling.
  2. To dress; to equip; to clothe, especially in an odd or fanciful manner; -- commonly followed by out.
    Jack was rigged out in his gold and silver lace. L'Estrange.
Rig noun
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) The peculiar fitting in shape, number, and arrangement of sails and masts, by which different types of vessels are distinguished; as, schooner rig, ship rig, etc. See Illustration in Appendix.
  2. Dress; esp., odd or fanciful clothing. Colloq.
Rig noun
Etymology
Cf. Wriggle.
Definitions
  1. A romp; a wanton; one given to unbecoming conduct. Obs. Fuller.
  2. A sportive or unbecoming trick; a frolic.
  3. A blast of wind. Prov. Eng. Wright.
    That uncertain season before the rigs of Michaelmas were yet well composed. Burke.
    He little dreamt when he set out Of running such a rig. Cowper.
Rig intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To play the wanton; to act in an unbecoming manner; to play tricks. "Rigging and rifling all ways." Chapman.
Rig transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make free with; hence, to steal; to pilfer. Obs. or Prov. Tusser.

Webster 1913