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| ripe [ rīp ] (comparative rip·er, superlative rip·est) |
adjective |
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| Definition: |
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1. ready to eat: mature and ready to be picked and eaten
 a ripe plum
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2. ready to harvest: having developed to the stage for harvesting
 fields of ripe wheat
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3. mature and mellow: matured or aged enough to have developed the best flavor and body
 ripe cheese
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4. exactly ready: at the most suitable stage of preparation or development
 The occasion was ripe for asking for a raise.
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5. advanced in years: representing or constituting a long life
 a ripe old age
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6. experienced and knowledgeable: showing maturity and judgment acquired by experience and study
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7. full and red: full and ruddy, suggesting ripe fruit
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8. smelly: giving off a strong and unpleasant smell, especially caused by sweat from part of the body
(
informal
)
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9. impolite or lewd: containing offensive language and sexual references
(
informal
)
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| [ Old English rīpe< Germanic] |
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 ripe·ly adverb |
 ripe·ness noun |
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