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rib

n. · v.
US //ˈɹɪb// UK //ɹˈɪb// rib
  1. 1 anatomy (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Medicine

    one of the curved bones in your chest that protect your heart and lungs.

    any of the series of long curved bones extending from the spine toward the sternum in vertebrates.

    Example

    He fell off his bike and cracked a rib on the left side of his chest.

    Example

    The radiologist confirmed a hairline fracture in the seventh rib, though fortunately the lung remained unpunctured by the impact.
  2. 2 food (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Cooking

    a piece of meat that includes a rib bone.

    a cut of meat, such as beef or pork, containing one or more rib bones.

    Example

    We ordered a full rack of sticky barbecue ribs for the table.

    Example

    The chef slow-roasted the prime rib for six hours, ensuring the meat was tender enough to fall away from the bone.
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  1. 3 structural support (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a curved piece of wood or metal used to support a structure like a boat or a roof.

    a structural member used to provide shape and strength to a hull, wing, or vaulted ceiling.

    Example

    The wooden ribs of the old ship were still visible in the sand.

    Example

    Engineers inspected the carbon-fibre ribs of the aircraft wing to ensure they could withstand the stresses of high-altitude flight.
  2. 4 textiles/plants (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a raised line in a piece of cloth or on a leaf.

    a raised ridge in knitted fabric or the prominent central vein of a leaf.

    Example

    The sweater has a thick rib around the neck and cuffs.

    Example

    The botanist noted the distinct pattern of the ribs on the underside of the leaf, which helped identify the rare species.
  3. 5 a joke (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    a friendly joke or a piece of teasing.

    an instance of good-natured teasing or a playful joke at someone's expense.

    Example

    It was just a little rib about his new haircut, nothing serious.

    Example

    The veteran officer gave the rookie a gentle rib about his polished boots, welcoming him into the team with humor.
  4. 6 to tease (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to joke with someone in a friendly way.

    to tease or mock someone in a good-natured, non-malicious manner.

    Example

    His friends liked to rib him about his obsession with vintage cars.

    Example

    The colleagues would often rib each other during lunch breaks, though they remained deeply respectful in professional settings.
Etymology 1

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.

Etymology 2

From Middle English ribbe, from Old English ribbe (“hound's-tongue”).

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