n. & v.
n. 1 a ruffling of the water's surface, a small wave or series of waves. 2 a gentle lively sound that rises and falls, e.g. of laughter or applause. 3 a wavy appearance in hair, material, etc. 4 Electr. a slight variation in the strength of a current etc. 5 ice-cream with added syrup giving a coloured ripple effect (raspberry ripple). 6 US a riffle in a stream.
v. 1 a intr. form ripples; flow in ripples. b tr. cause to do this. 2 intr. show or sound like ripples. ripple mark a ridge or ridged surface left on sand, mud, or rock by the action of water or wind. ripplet n. ripply adj.
[ 17th c.: orig. unkn. ]