rip 1
— rippable , adj.
/rip/ , v. , ripped, ripping , n.
v.t.
1. to cut or tear apart in a rough or vigorous manner: to rip open a seam; to rip up a sheet.
2. to cut or tear away in a rough or vigorous manner: to rip bark from a tree.
3. to saw (wood) in the direction of the grain.
v.i.
4. to become torn apart or split open: Cheap cloth rips easily.
5. Informal. to move with violence or great speed: The sports car ripped along in a cloud of dust and exhaust fumes.
6. let rip , Slang.
a. to utter a series of oaths; swear.
b. to speak or write violently, rapidly, or at great length.
c. to allow to proceed at full speed or without restraint.
7. rip into , Informal. to attack physically or verbally; assail.
8. rip off , Slang.
a. to steal or pilfer.
b. to rob or steal from.
c. to swindle, cheat, or exploit; take advantage of: phony charity appeals that rip off a gullible public.
9. rip out , Informal. to utter angrily, as with an oath or exclamation.
n.
10. a rent made by ripping; tear.
11. Slang. a cheat, swindle, or theft; ripoff: The average consumer doesn't realize that the new tax is a rip.
[ 1470-80; 1960-65 for def. 8; obscurely akin to Fris rippe, dial. D rippen; cf. dial. E ripple to scratch ]
Syn. 1. See tear 2 . 10. laceration, cut.
rip 2
/rip/ , n.
a stretch of turbulent water at sea or in a river.
[ 1765-75; see RIP 1 , RIPPLE 1 ]
rip 3
/rip/ , n. Informal.
1. a dissolute or worthless person.
2. a worthless or worn-out horse.
3. something of little or no value.
[ 1770-80; prob. alter. of rep, shortened form of REPROBATE ]