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riff - 9 dictionary results

riff

1  [rif] Jazz.
Use riff in a Sentence
–noun
1. a melodic phrase, often constantly repeated, forming an accompaniment or part of an accompaniment for a soloist.
–verb (used without object)
2. to perform riffs.
Origin:
1930–35; perh. alter. and shortening of refrain 2

riff

2  [rif]
–verb (used with object) Informal.
rif.

Riff

  [rif]
–noun, plural Riffs, Riff⋅i  [rif-ee] , (especially collectively) Riff.
1. a member of the Berber people living in Er Rif in northern Morocco.
2. Rif.
Related forms:
Rif⋅fi⋅an, adjective, noun

rif

  [rif]
–verb (used with object), -riffed, -rif⋅fing. Informal.
to discharge (a person) from military or civil service, esp. as part of an economy program.
Also, riff.

Origin:
1945–50; special use of RIF

Rif

  [rif]
–noun
Er  [er] , a mountainous coastal region in N Morocco.
Also, Riff.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To riff
riff   (rĭf)   
n.  
  1. Music A short rhythmic phrase, especially one that is repeated in improvisation.
  2. A clever or inventive commentary or remark: "Those little riffs that had seemed to have such sparkle over drinks ... look all too embarrassing in cold print" (John Richardson).
intr.v.   riffed, riff·ing, riffs
To play or make riffs.

[Origin unknown.]
Riff or Rif   (rĭf)   
n.   pl. Riff or Riffs or Rif or Rifs also Rif·fi (rĭf'ē)
  1. A member of any of several Berber peoples inhabiting Er Rif.
  2. The Berber language of this people.
Rif'fi·an adj. & n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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riff 
"melodic phrase in jazz," 1935 (but said to have been used by musicians since c.1917), of uncertain origin, perhaps a shortened form of riffle (q.v.), or altered from refrain. The verb is attested from 1955.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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RIFF file format
Microsoft's equivalent to the Amiga's IFF files format. RIFF is used for WAV and AVI files.
(1995-04-21)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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