ring

1 [ring] noun, verb, ringed, ring·ing.
noun
1.
a typically circular band of metal or other durable material, especially one of gold or other precious metal, often set with gems, for wearing on the finger as an ornament, a token of betrothal or marriage, etc.
2.
anything having the form of such a band: a napkin ring; a smoke ring.
3.
a circular or surrounding line or mark: dark rings around the eyes.
4.
a circular course: to dance in a ring.
5.
a number of persons or things situated in a circle or in an approximately circular arrangement: a ring of stones; a ring of hills.
6.
the outside edge of a circular body, as a wheel; rim.
7.
an enclosed area, often circular, as for a sports contest or exhibition: a circus ring.
8.
a bullring.
9.
an enclosure in which boxing and wrestling matches take place, usually consisting of a square, canvas-covered platform with surrounding ropes that are supported at each corner by posts.
10.
the sport of boxing; prizefighting: the heyday of the ring.
11.
(formerly in the U.S., now only in Brit.) an area in a racetrack where bookmakers take bets.
12.
a group of persons cooperating for unethical, illicit, or illegal purposes, as to control stock-market prices, manipulate politicians, or elude the law: a ring of dope smugglers.
13.
a single turn in a spiral or helix or in a spiral course.
14.
Geometry. the area or space between two concentric circles.
15.
annual ring.
16.
a circle of bark cut from around a tree.
17.
Chemistry. a number of atoms so united that they may be graphically represented in cyclic form. Compare chain ( def 7 ).
18.
Architecture, rowlock ( def 1 ).
19.
a bowlike or circular piece at the top of an anchor, to which the chain or cable is secured. See diag. under anchor.
20.
Also called spinning ring. Textiles. (in the ring-spinning frame) a circular track of highly polished steel on which the traveler moves and which imparts twists to the yarn by variations in its vertical movement.
21.
a unit of measurement of the diameter of cigars, equal to 1/64 of an inch. Also called ring gauge.
22.
Automotive, Machinery, piston ring.
23.
Mathematics. a set that is closed under the operations of addition and multiplication and that is an Abelian group with respect to addition and an associative semigroup with respect to multiplication and in which the distributive laws relating the two operations hold.
verb (used with object)
24.
to surround with a ring; encircle.
25.
to form into a ring.
26.
to insert a ring through the nose of (an animal).
27.
to hem in (animals) by riding or circling about them.
28.
to girdle ( def 11 ).
29.
(in horseshoes, ringtoss, etc.) to encircle (a stake or peg) with a ring, horseshoe, etc.
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verb (used without object)
30.
to form a ring or rings.
31.
to move in a ring or a constantly curving course: The road rings around the mountain.
Idioms
32.
run rings around, to be obviously superior to; surpass; outdo: As an artist, she can run rings around her brother.
33.
throw/toss one's hat in/into the ring. hat ( def 8 ).
Origin:
before 900; Middle English; Old English hring; cognate with Dutch, German ring, Old Norse hringr; akin to rank1

Related forms
ring·less, adjective
ring·like, adjective

Synonyms
2. circle, circlet, hoop; annulus. 7. arena, rink, circle. 12. bloc, coterie, confederacy, league; gang, mob, syndicate. Ring, clique are terms applied with disapproving connotations to groups of persons. Ring suggests a small and intimately related group, combined for selfish and often dishonest purposes: a gambling ring. A clique is a small group that prides itself on its congeniality and exclusiveness: cliques in a school.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

ring

2 [ring] verb, rang, rung, ring·ing, noun
verb (used without object)
1.
to give forth a clear resonant sound, as a bell when struck: The doorbell rang twice.
2.
to make a given impression on the mind; appear: words that rang false; a story that rings true.
3.
to cause a bell or bells to sound, especially as a summons: Just ring if you need anything.
4.
to sound loudly; be loud or resonant; resound (often followed by out ): His brave words rang out.
5.
to be filled with sound; reecho with sound, as a place.
6.
(of the ears) to have the sensation of a continued humming sound.
7.
Chiefly British. to telephone.
verb (used with object)
8.
to cause (a bell or device with a bell) to ring; sound by striking: to ring a bell.
9.
to produce (sound) by or as if by ringing: The bell rang a low tone.
10.
to announce or proclaim, usher in or out, summon, signal, etc., by or as if by the sound of a bell: to ring someone's praises; The bell rang the hour.
11.
to test (a coin or other metal object) by the sound it produces when struck against something.
12.
Chiefly British. to telephone.
noun
13.
a ringing sound, as of a bell or bells: the ring of sleigh bells.
14.
a sound or tone likened to the ringing of a bell: Rings of laughter issued from the school.
15.
any loud sound; sound continued, repeated, or reverberated: the ring of iron upon stone.
16.
a set or peal of bells.
17.
a telephone call: Give me a ring tomorrow.
18.
an act or instance of ringing a bell: No one answered my ring.
19.
a characteristic sound, as of a coin.
20.
the aspect or impression presented by a statement, an action, etc., taken as revealing a specified inherent quality: a ring of assurance in her voice; the ring of truth; a false ring.
Verb phrases
21.
ring in,
a.
to indicate one's arrival at work by punching in on a time clock.
b.
Informal. to introduce artfully or fraudulently: to ring in an imposter.
22.
ring off,
a.
to terminate a telephone conversation.
b.
British Slang. to stop talking.
c.
British Slang. to go away.
23.
ring out,
a.
to indicate one's departure from work by punching out on a time clock.
b.
to make a sound or noise; resound: The church bells rang out.
24.
ring up,
a.
to register (the amount of a sale) on a cash register.
b.
to accomplish or record: to ring up a series of successes.
c.
Chiefly British. to telephone.
Idioms
25.
ring a bell. bell1 ( def 14 ).
26.
ring down the curtain,
a.
to direct that the curtain of a theater be lowered or closed.
b.
to lower or close the curtain in front of a stage.
27.
ring down the curtain on, to bring to an end: The accident rang down the curtain on his law career.
28.
ring the bell. bell1 ( def 15 ).
29.
ring the changes. change ( def 38 ).
30.
ring up the curtain,
a.
to direct that the curtain of a theater be raised or opened.
b.
to raise or open the curtain in front of a stage.
31.
ring up the curtain on, to begin; inaugurate; initiate: The $100-a-plate dinner rang up the curtain on the hospital's fund-raising drive.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English ringen, Old English hringan; cognate with Old Norse hringja, German ringen

Related forms
ring·ing·ly, adverb
ring·ing·ness, noun

Synonyms
20. sound, tone, quality.

Ring

[ring]
noun
a male given name.

R

[ahr]
verb
Informal. are : Oysters R in season.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To ring
Collins
World English Dictionary
r or R (ɑː) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n , pl r's, R's, Rs
1.  the 18th letter and 14th consonant of the modern English alphabet
2.  a speech sound represented by this letter, in English usually an alveolar semivowel, as in red
3.  See three Rs
 
R or R
 
—n

r or R (ɑː) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n , pl r's, R's, Rs
1.  the 18th letter and 14th consonant of the modern English alphabet
2.  a speech sound represented by this letter, in English usually an alveolar semivowel, as in red
3.  See three Rs
 
R or R
 
—n

R
 
—symbol for
1.  chem radical
2.  currency
 a.  rand
 b.  rupee
3.  Réaumur temperature (scale)
4.  physics, electronics resistance
5.  roentgen or röntgen
6.  chess rook
7.  Royal
8.  chem gas constant
9.  in the US and Australia
 a.  restricted exhibition (used to describe a category of film certified as unsuitable for viewing by anyone under the age of 18)
 b.  (as modifier): an R film

ring1 (rɪŋ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n
1.  a circular band usually of a precious metal, esp gold, often set with gems and worn upon the finger as an adornment or as a token of engagement or marriage
2.  any object or mark that is circular in shape
3.  a circular path or course: to run around in a ring
4.  a group of people or things standing or arranged so as to form a circle: a ring of spectators
5.  an enclosed space, usually circular in shape, where circus acts are performed
6.  a square apron or raised platform, marked off by ropes, in which contestants box or wrestle
7.  the ring the sport of boxing
8.  the field of competition or rivalry
9.  throw one's hat in the ring to announce one's intention to be a candidate or contestant
10.  a group of people usually operating illegally and covertly: a drug ring; a paedophile ring
11.  (esp at country fairs) an enclosure, often circular, where horses, cattle, and other livestock are paraded and auctioned
12.  an area reserved for betting at a racecourse
13.  a circular strip of bark cut from a tree or branch, esp in order to kill it
14.  a single turn in a spiral
15.  geometry the area of space lying between two concentric circles
16.  maths a set that is subject to two binary operations, addition and multiplication, such that the set is an Abelian group under addition and is closed under multiplication, this latter operation being associative
17.  botany short for annual ring
18.  chem Also called: closed chain a closed loop of atoms in a molecule
19.  astronomy See also Saturn any of the thin circular bands of small bodies orbiting a giant planet, esp Saturn
20.  informal run rings around to be greatly superior to; outclass completely
 
—vb , rings, ringing, ringed
21.  to surround with or as if with or form a ring; encircle
22.  to mark (a bird) with a ring or clip for subsequent identification
23.  to fit a ring in the nose of (a bull, pig, etc) so that it can be led easily
24.  Also: ringbark
 a.  to cut away a circular strip of bark from (a tree or branch) in order to kill it
 b.  to cut a narrow or partial ring from (the trunk of a tree) in order to check or prevent vigorous growth
25.  (Austral), (NZ) to be the fastest shearer in a shearing shed (esp in the phrase ring the shed)
 
[Old English hring; related to Old Norse hringr]

ring2 (rɪŋ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—vb (foll by for) , rings, ringing, rang, rung
1.  to emit or cause to emit a sonorous or resonant sound, characteristic of certain metals when struck
2.  to cause (a bell) to emit a ringing sound by striking it once or repeatedly or (of a bell) to emit such a sound
3.  a.  (tr) Compare chime to cause (a large bell, esp a church bell) to emit a ringing sound by pulling on a rope that is attached to a wheel on which the bell swings back and forth, being sounded by a clapper inside it
 b.  (intr) (of a bell) to sound by being swung in this way
4.  (intr) (of a building, place, etc) to be filled with sound; echo: the church rang with singing
5.  to call by means of a bell, buzzer, etc: to ring for the butler
6.  chiefly (Brit) Also: ring up to call (a person) by telephone
7.  (tr) to strike or tap (a coin) in order to assess its genuineness by the sound produced
8.  (intr) (of the ears) to have or give the sensation of humming or ringing
9.  (intr) electronics (of an electric circuit) to produce a damped oscillatory wave after the application of a sharp input transition
10.  slang to change the identity of (a stolen vehicle) by using the licence plate, serial number, etc, of another, usually disused, vehicle
11.  ring a bell to sound familiar; remind one of something, esp indistinctly
12.  ring down the curtain
 a.  to lower the curtain at the end of a theatrical performance
 b.  (foll by on) to put an end (to)
13.  ring false to give the impression of being false
14.  ring the bell
 a.  to do, say, or be the right thing
 b.  to reach the pinnacle of success or happiness
15.  ring the changes to vary the manner or performance of an action that is often repeated
16.  ring true to give the impression of being true: that story doesn't ring true
 
—n
17.  the act of or a sound made by ringing
18.  a sound produced by or suggestive of a bell
19.  any resonant or metallic sound, esp one sustained or re-echoed: the ring of trumpets
20.  informal chiefly (Brit) a telephone call: he gave her a ring last night
21.  See peal the complete set of bells in a tower or belfry: a ring of eight bells
22.  an inherent quality or characteristic: his explanation has the ring of sincerity
23.  electronics the damped oscillatory wave produced by a circuit that rings
 
usage  Rang and sang are the correct forms of the past tenses of ring and sing, although rung and sung are still heard informally and dialectally: he rung (rang) the bell

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

R
In a circle, meaning "registered (trademark)," first incorporated in U.S. statues 1946. Three Rs (1825) said to have been given as a toast by Sir W. Curtis (1752-1829). R&R "rest and relaxation," first recorded 1953, Amer.Eng.; R&B "rhythm and blues" (type of popular music) first attested 1949, Amer.Eng.

ring
O.E. hring "circular band," from P.Gmc. *khrengaz (cf. O.N. hringr, O.Fris. hring, Ger. Ring), lit. "something curved," from PIE base *(s)ker- "to turn, bend" (cf. L. curvus "bent, curved," crispus "curly;" O.C.S. kragu "circle," and perhaps Gk. kirkos "ring," koronos "curved"). Meaning "place for prize
fight and wrestling bouts" (early 14c.) is from the space in a circle of bystanders in which such contests were once held (ringside is attested from 1866). Meaning "combination of interested persons" is from 1829. The verb meaning "to make a circle around" is O.E. ymbhringan. The circus ringmaster is recorded from 1873. Tree ring is from 1670s; fairy ring is from 1620s. Nursery rhyme ring a ring a rosie, is attested in an American form (with a different ending) from c.1790. "The belief that the rhyme originated with the Great Plague is now almost universal, but has no evidence to support it and is almost certainly nonsense" ["Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore"]. This connection only dates to the 1960s.

ring
"sound a bell," O.E. hringan, from P.Gmc. *khrenganan (cf. O.N. hringja, Swed. ringa, M.Du. ringen), probably of imitative origin. To give (someone) a ring "call on the telephone" was in use by 1910. To ring down a theatrical curtain is from 1772, from the custom of signaling for it by ringing a bell.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

r abbr.
racemic

R abbr.

  1. radical (usually an alkyl or aryl group)

  2. respiration

  3. respiratory exchange ratio

  4. or r roentgen

ring (rĭng)
n.

  1. A circular object, form, or arrangement with a vacant circular center.

  2. The area between two concentric circles; annulus.

  3. A group of atoms linked by bonds that may be represented graphically in circular or triangular form.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
r  
Abbreviation of radius
R  
The symbol for resistance.
ring   (rĭng)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. A set of elements subject to the operations of addition and multiplication, in which the set is an abelian group under addition and associative under multiplication and in which the two operations are related by distributive laws.

  2. A group of atoms linked by bonds that may be represented graphically in circular or triangular form. Benzene, for example, contains a ring of six carbon atoms. All cyclic compounds contain one or more rings. See annulus.

  3. See growth ring.


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

  1. correlation coefficient

  2. radius

  3. resistance

R

  1. gas constant

  2. radical

  3. rain

  4. range

  5. Réaumur

  6. receiver

  7. registered trademark

  8. Republican

  9. response

  10. restricted (children under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)

  11. right

  12. roentgen

  13. rook

  14. run

The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Easton
Bible Dictionary

Ring definition


Used as an ornament to decorate the fingers, arms, wrists, and also the ears and the nose. Rings were used as a signet (Gen. 38:18). They were given as a token of investment with authority (Gen. 41:42; Esther 3:8-10; 8:2), and of favour and dignity (Luke 15:22). They were generally worn by rich men (James 2:2). They are mentioned by Isiah (3:21) among the adornments of Hebrew women.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

ring

In addition to the idioms beginning with ring, also see brass ring; give someone a ring; have a familiar ring; run rings around; three-ring circus; throw one's hat in the ring.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Example sentences from the web
The cardinal chamberlain then retrieves the ring of the fisherman.
In other cases the ring might have been removed for medical reasons.
The chamberlain cuts the ring in two in the presence of the cardinals.
Ring of the fisherman, a gold ring decorated with a depiction of st.
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