/ raɪf; NAmE / adjective [ not before noun ]
1.
if sth bad or unpleasant is rife in a place, it is very common there
SYN widespread :
It is a country where corruption is rife.
Rumours are rife that he is going to resign.
2.
rife (with sth) full of sth bad or unpleasant :
Los Angeles is rife with gossip about the stars' private lives.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Old English rӯfe , probably from Old Norse rīfr acceptable.