rib
n. countablen. one of the curved bones in your chest that protects your heart and lungs. It can also mean a long, thin piece of wood or metal that supports the shape of something like a boat or an umbrella.
n. one of the series of curved bones that are articulated with the spine and occur in pairs, forming the thoracic cage. In technical contexts, refers to a structural member used to strengthen or shape a hull, wing, or vault.
He fell off his bike and broke a rib.
The doctor examined the X-ray to see if the patient had cracked a rib during the accident.
The architect designed the ceiling with exposed timber ribs to mimic the skeletal structure of a great whale, creating a sense of organic strength within the hall.
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 Middle English ribbe, from Old English ribbe (“hound's-tongue”).
Commonly used in the plural when referring to the anatomical cage or a serving of meat.