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ripe
2 dictionary results for: Ripest
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
ripe       [rahyp] Pronunciation Key
–adjective, rip·er, rip·est.
1.having arrived at such a stage of growth or development as to be ready for reaping, gathering, eating, or use, as grain or fruit; completely matured.
2.resembling such fruit, as in ruddiness and fullness: ripe, red lips.
3.advanced to the point of being in the best condition for use, as cheese or beer.
4.fully grown or developed, as animals when ready to be killed and used for food.
5.arrived at the highest or a high point of development or excellence; mature.
6.of mature judgment or knowledge: ripe scholars; a ripe mind.
7.characterized by full development of body or mind: of ripe years.
8.(of time) advanced: a ripe old age.
9.(of ideas, plans, etc.) ready for action, execution, etc.
10.(of people) fully prepared or ready to do or undergo something: He was ripe for a change in jobs.
11.fully or sufficiently advanced; ready enough; auspicious: The time is ripe for a new foreign policy.
12.ready for some operation or process: a ripe abscess.
13.Archaic. drunk: reeling ripe.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME; OE rīpe; c. D rijp, G reif; akin to OE ripan to reap]

—Related forms
ripely, adverb
ripeness, noun

—Synonyms 1. grown, aged. Ripe, mature, mellow refer to that which is no longer in an incomplete stage of development. Ripe implies completed growth beyond which the processes of decay begin: a ripe banana. Mature means fully grown and developed as used of living organisms: a mature animal; a mature tree. Mellow denotes complete absence of sharpness or asperity, with sweetness and richness such as characterize ripeness or age: mellow fruit; mellow flavor.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
ripe       (rīp)  Pronunciation Key 
adj.   rip·er, rip·est
  1. Fully developed; mature: ripe peaches.
  2. Resembling matured fruit, as in fullness.
  3. Sufficiently advanced in preparation or aging to be used or eaten: ripe cheese.
  4. Thoroughly matured, as by study or experience; seasoned: ripe judgment.
  5. Advanced in years: the ripe age of 90.
  6. Fully prepared to do or undergo something; ready: "By 1965 the republic was ripe for a coup" (Alex Shoumatoff).
  7. Sufficiently advanced; opportune: The time is ripe for great societal changes.
  8. Exhibiting overtones of or references to sex; scatological: "The language on the stage was riper than anything I have heard in a lifetime of newspaper work" (John Hughes).
  9. Emitting a foul odor, especially body odor.


[Middle English, from Old English rīpe.]

ripe'ly adv., ripe'ness n.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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