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Added 9 October 2026

rib

/ɹɪb/ symbol

In Latin: costa Wiktionary

symbol Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about rib at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

ISO 639-3 language code for Bribri Sign Language.

noun

Any of a series of long curved bones occurring in 12 pairs in humans and other animals and extending from the spine to or toward the sternum.
A part or piece, similar to a rib, and serving to shape or support something.
a broken rib on the umbrella
A cut of meat enclosing one or more rib bones.

verb

To shape, support, or provide something with a rib or ribs.
To tease or make fun of someone in a good-natured way.
He always gets ribbed for his outrageous shirts.
To enclose, as if with ribs, and protect; to shut in.

noun

Hound's-tongue (Cynoglossum officinale).
Costmary (Tanacetum balsamita).
Watercress (Nasturtium officinale).

Origin

From Middle English rib, ribbe, from Old English ribb (“rib”), from Proto-West Germanic *ribi, from Proto-Germanic *ribją (“rib, reef”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁rebʰ- (“arch, ceiling, cover”). Cognate with Dutch rib (“rib”), Norwegian ribbe (“sparerib”), Norwegian ribben (“rib”), Low German ribbe (“rib”), German Rippe (“rib”), Old Norse rif (“rib, reef”), Serbo-Croatian rèbro (“rib”). (wife or woman): In reference to the creation of Eve from Adam's rib in the Bible.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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