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Entry 8 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Rib

/rĭb/ · IPA /ɹɪb/
01 n. One of the curved bones attached to the vertebral column and supporting the lateral walls of the thorax.
  1. 1.
    One of the curved bones attached to the vertebral column and supporting the lateral walls of the thorax.(Anat.)
  2. 2.
    That which resembles a rib in form or use.(Shipbuilding)
  3. 3.
    The chief nerve, or one of the chief nerves, of a leaf.(Bot.)
  4. 4.
    In Gothic vaulting, one of the primary members of the vault. These are strong arches, meeting and crossing one another, dividing the whole space into triangles, which are then filled by vaulted construction of lighter material. Hence, an imitation of one of these in wood, plaster, or the like.(Arch.)
  5. 5.
    Solid coal on the side of a gallery; solid ore in a vein.(Mining)
  6. 6.
    A wife; -- in allusion to Eve, as made out of Adam's rib.[Familiar & Sportive]
    “How many have we known whose heads have been broken with their own rib.” — Bp. Hall.
Phrases & compounds
Chuck rib — a cut of beef immediately in front of the middle rib. See Chuck.
Fore ribs — a cut of beef immediately in front of the sirloin.
Middle rib — a cut of beef between the chuck rib and the fore ribs.
Rib grass — Same as Ribwort.
02 v. t. To furnish with ribs; to form with rising lines and channels; as, to rib cloth.
imp. & p. p. Ribbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Ribbing
  1. 1.
    To furnish with ribs; to form with rising lines and channels; as, to rib cloth.
  2. 2.
    To inclose, as with ribs, and protect; to shut in.
    “It [lead] were too gross To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave.” — Shak.
Phrases & compounds
To rib land — to leave strips of undisturbed ground between the furrows in plowing.