[rip.ple] vb rip.pled ; rip.pling [perh. freq. of [1]rip] vi (ca. 1671) 1 a: to become lightly ruffled or covered with small waves b: to flow in small waves c: to fall in soft undulating folds "the scarf rippled to the floor"
2: to flow with a light rise and fall of sound or inflection "laughter rippled over the audience"
3: to move with an undulating motion or so as to cause ripples "the canoe rippled through the water"
4: to have or produce a ripple effect: spread "the news rippled outwards" ~ vt 1: to stir up small waves on
2: to impart a wavy motion or appearance to "rippling his arm muscles"
3: to utter or play with a slight rise and fall of sound -- rip.pler n
[2]ripple n (1755) 1 a: a shallow stretch of rough water in a stream b (1): the ruffling of the surface of water (2): a small wave
2. a: ripple mark b: a sound like that of rippling water "a ~ of laughter" c: a usu. slight noticeable effect or reaction -- rip.ply adj