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Ribbing

 [rib-ing]   Origin

rib·bing

1   [rib-ing]
noun
1.
ribs collectively.
2.
an assemblage or arrangement of ribs, as in cloth or a ship.
Origin:
1555–65; rib1 + -ing1

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Ribbing is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged

rib·bing

2   [rib-ing]
noun
an act or instance of teasing.
Origin:
1930–35; rib2 + -ing1

rib

1   [rib] noun, verb, ribbed, rib·bing.
noun
1.
one of a series of curved bones that are articulated with the vertebrae and occur in pairs, 12 in humans, on each side of the vertebrate body, certain pairs being connected with the sternum and forming the thoracic wall.
2.
a cut of meat, as beef, containing a rib.
3.
ribs, spareribs (def. 2).
4.
Architecture.
a.
any of several archlike members of a vault supporting it at the groins, defining its distinct surfaces, or dividing these surfaces into panels: including ogives and tiercerons.
b.
any of several molded members or moldings, including ridge ribs and liernes, on the surface of a vault accenting the ridges or dividing the surface into panels.
5.
something resembling a rib in form, position, or use, as a supporting or strengthening part.
EXPAND
6.
a structural member that supports the shape of something: an umbrella rib.
7.
Nautical. any of the curved framing members in a ship's hull that rise upward and outward from the keel; frame.
8.
a stiffening beam cast as part of a concrete slab.
9.
a primary vein of a leaf.
10.
a vertical ridge in cloth, especially in knitted fabrics.
11.
a ridge, as in poplin or rep, caused by heavy yarn.
12.
a wife (in humorous allusion to the creation of Eve. Gen. 2:21–22).
13.
Ceramics. a scraper for smoothing clay being thrown on a potter's wheel.
14.
a metal ridge running along the top of the barrel of a firearm to simplify aligning the sights.
15.
a longitudinal strip of metal joining the barrels of a double-barreled gun.
COLLAPSE
verb (used with object)
16.
to furnish or strengthen with ribs.
17.
to enclose as with ribs.
18.
to mark with riblike ridges or markings.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English, Old English rib(b); cognate with German Rippe

Related forms
rib·ber, noun
rib·less, adjective
rib·like, adjective

rib

2   [rib]
verb (used with object), ribbed, rib·bing.
to tease; make fun of.
Origin:
1925–30, Americanism; apparently short for rib-tickle (v.)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To Ribbing
Collins
World English Dictionary
ribbing (ˈrɪbɪŋ)
 
—n
1.  a framework or structure of ribs
2.  ribs collectively
3.  a raised pattern in woven or knitted material, made in knitting by doing purl and plain stitches alternately

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

rib
O.E. ribb "rib," from P.Gmc. *rebja (cf. O.N. rif, O.Fris. ribb, O.H.G. ribba, Ger. Rippe), lit. "a covering" (of the chest), from PIE *rebh- "to roof, cover" (cf. O.C.S. rebro "rib"). The verb meaning "tease, fool" is first attested 1930, perhaps as a figurative extension of poking someone in the ribs.
EXPAND
Rib joint "brothel" is slang from 1943, probably in allusion to Adam's rib (cf. rib "woman, wife," attested from 1589).
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

rib (rĭb)
n.
One of a series of long curved bones occurring in 12 pairs in humans and extending from the spine to or toward the sternum.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
rib   (rĭb)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. Any of a series of long, curved bones extending from the spine and enclosing the chest cavity. In mammals, reptiles, and birds, the ribs curve toward the center of the chest and in most cases attach to the sternum (breastbone). There are 12 pairs of ribs in humans. See more at skeleton.

  2. One of the main veins of a leaf.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary

rib definition


  1. n.
    a joke; an act of teasing. : I didn't mean any harm. It was just a little rib.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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