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| rib [ rib ] |
noun (plural ribs) |
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| Definition: |
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1. curved bone of chest: any of the curved bones extending from the vertebrae and in some cases meeting the sternum, forming a cavity housing vital organs in many vertebrates
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2. food meat: a cut of meat that contains ribs
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3. handicraft ridged knitting: a portion of knitted material with raised vertical lines of stitches, made by alternating purl stitches with plain stitches
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4. botany leaf vein: a raised vein on a leaf
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5. architecture molding on vault: a ridge or molding on the underside of a vault or arched ceiling
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6. nautical part of ship's hull: a beam extending from the keel to the top of the hull of a ship, giving it its shape
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7. aviation part of aircraft's wing: a part of an aircraft's wing crossing from the leading to the trailing edge of the wing
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8. piece resembling rib: a bar, rod, or other supporting part that has the shape or function of a rib
  a broken rib on the umbrella
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9. teasing comment: a comment or action meant as a joke or to tease somebody
(
informal
)
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plural noun ribs |
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| Definition: |
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ribs with little meat: the ribs of an animal from which most of the meat has been removed, eaten as food
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verb (past and past participle ribbed, present participle rib·bing, 3rd person present singular ribs) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb tease: to make playful teasing remarks to somebody
(
informal
)
They ribbed me about my haircut.
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2. transitive verb provide something with ribs: to provide or strengthen something with ribs
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3. transitive and intransitive verb handicraft knit plain and purl stitches: to knit plain stitches alternately with purl stitches to make raised lines, or form a piece of knitting in this way
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| [ Old English ribb< Germanic, "covering (of the chest cavity)"] |
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stick to your ribs to be substantial, nourishing, or hearty as a meal (informal)
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