n. [ AS. rib, ribb; akin to D. rib, G. rippe, OHG. rippa, rippi, Dan. ribbe, Icel. rif, Russ. rebro. ] 1. (Anat.) One of the curved bones attached to the vertebral column and supporting the lateral walls of the thorax. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Bot.) The chief nerve, or one of the chief nerves, of a leaf. (b) Any longitudinal ridge in a plant. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A wife; -- in allusion to Eve, as made out of Adam's rib. [ Familiar & Sportive ] [ 1913 Webster ]

How many have we known whose heads have been broken with their own rib. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

Chuck rib, a cut of beef immediately in front of the middle rib. See Chuck. --
Fore ribs, a cut of beef immediately in front of the sirloin. --
Middle rib, a cut of beef between the chuck rib and the fore ribs. --
Rib grass. (Bot.) Same as Ribwort. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Ribbed p. pr. & vb. n. Ribbing. ] 1. To furnish with ribs; to form with rising lines and channels; as, to rib cloth. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To inclose, as with ribs, and protect; to shut in. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]

It [ lead ] were too gross
To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

To rib land, to leave strips of undisturbed ground between the furrows in plowing. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Low; base; mean; filthy; obscene. [ 1913 Webster ]

The busy day,
Waked by the lark, hath roused the ribald crows. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. ribald, ribaud, F. ribaud, OF. ribald, ribault, LL. ribaldus, of German origin; cf. OHG hrīpa prostitute. For the ending -ald cf. E. Herald. ] A low, vulgar, brutal, foul-mouthed wretch; a lewd fellow. Spenser. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ribald was almost a class name in the feudal system . . . He was his patron's parasite, bulldog, and tool . . . It is not to be wondered at that the word rapidly became a synonym for everything ruffianly and brutal. Earle. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Like a ribald. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of a ribald quality. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. ribaldrie, ribaudrie, OF. ribalderie, ribauderie. ] The talk of a ribald; low, vulgar language; indecency; obscenity; lewdness; -- now chiefly applied to indecent language, but formerly, as by Chaucer, also to indecent acts or conduct. [ 1913 Webster ]

The ribaldry of his conversation moved &unr_;stonishment even in that age. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Ribbon. [ Obs. ] Piers Plowman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Ribbon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Riband jasper (Min.), a variety of jasper having stripes of different colors, as red and green. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Naut.) See Rib-band. Totten. [ 1913 Webster ]