I. ˈri-pəl verb
( rip·pled ; rip·pling -p(ə-)liŋ)
Etymology: perhaps frequentative of rip (I)
Date: circa 1671
intransitive verb
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
transitive verb
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 -p(ə-)lər noun
II. noun
Date: 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 ripple of laughter
c. : a usually slight noticeable effect or reaction
• rip·ply ˈri-p(ə-)lē adjective