I. ˈrīp adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English rīpe; akin to Old Saxon rīpi ripe, Middle Dutch ripe, Old High German rīfi; derivative from the root of English reap
1. : fully grown and developed : mature: as
a. : ready for reaping or harvesting
ripe grain
a ripe field
b. of fruit
(1) : having mature seed
(2) : fully developed and so usable as food
c. : mature enough for use as cuttings — used of stems or other plant parts
d. of timber or a forest : ready to be cut
e. : free from budding cells — used of a yeast
2. : having the full development and powers of maturity: as
a. : having full mental and physical maturity
b. : having mature knowledge, understanding, or judgment : consummate , perfected
a ripe scholar
ripe wisdom
c. : stemming from thorough consideration or reflection : based on full deliberation
they deal with many subjects and are characterized by ripe reflection and consummate mastery of style — Encyc. Americana
3. : marked by maturity or fullness of time: as
a. : exhibiting full mental or physical powers
a ripe time of life
a ripe age
b. : of advanced years : late
lived to the ripe age of 90
c. : fully arrived : suitable
the time seemed ripe to proceed to … evangelization — Kemp Malone
4. : ready for some action or purpose : fully prepared for some use or object : fit for consummation
a state of affairs ripe for axis exploitation — H.M.Sachar
the classical type of monopoly capitalism ripe for public ownership — New Statesman & Nation
here is a mixed-up character, ripe for the analyst — Lucy Crockett
5. : brought by aging to full flavor or to the height of desirability as food or drink : mellow
ripe cheese
a ripe port
ripe venison
6. : ready to discharge : matured — used of an abscess or boil
7. archaic : drunk — used in the phrase reeling ripe
8. : ruddy, plump, or full like ripened fruit
the invitation of ripe young lips
9. : due or ready for action, trial, or payment (as a lawsuit or a claim)
10. : sufficiently developed to be removed by surgery — used of a cataract in the eye
11.
a. : ready to be discharged — used of eggs
b. : containing ripe eggs or spermatozoa — used of a fish; compare green
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English ripen, from Old English rīpian, from rīpe ripe
chiefly dialect : ripen , mature
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English ripen, from Old English rȳpan; akin to Old High German roufen to pluck, Old Norse ruppa, rupla, Gothic raupjan to pluck, Old Norse rögg tuft of hair — more at rug
transitive verb
1. chiefly Scotland
a. : to make a thorough search of
b. : to subject to thorough examination or investigation
2. chiefly Scotland : to steal from : rob
3. chiefly Scotland : to clear of something that obstructs : clean out
4. chiefly Scotland : to break up or remove stones from (rough ground)
intransitive verb
chiefly Scotland : to make a search
IV.
chiefly dialect
variant of reap
V. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin ripa — more at river
archaic : riverbank , seashore
VI. adjective
1. : smelly : stinking
2. : of a suggestive or indecent character
riper video fiction for adults — Les Brown