rib

noun

1》 each of a series of slender curved bones articulated in pairs to the spine, protecting the thoracic cavity and its organs.

    ↘an animal rib with meat adhering to it used as food.

2》 Architecture a curved member supporting a vault or defining its form.

3》 a curved transverse strut in a ship, forming part of the framework of the hull.

4》 each of the curved pieces of wood forming the body of a lute or violin.

5》 each of the hinged rods supporting the fabric of an umbrella.

6》 Aeronautics a structural member in an aerofoil.

7》 a vein of a leaf or an insect's wing.

8》 Knitting alternate plain and purl stitches producing a ridged, slightly elastic fabric.

verb (ribs, ribbing, ribbed)

1》 mark with or form into ridges.

    ↘provide with ribs.

2》 informal tease good-naturedly.

Derivatives

ribber noun

ribless adjective

Origin

OE rib, ribb, of Gmc origin.