1each of a series of slender curved bones articulated in pairs to the spine (twelve pairs in humans), protecting the thoracic cavity and its organs:he had several broken ribs
a rib of an animal with meat adhering to it used as food; a joint consisting of animal ribs:a lunch of ribs, wings, and blueberry pie [mass noun]:1,300 lb of beef rib
2a long raised piece of strengthening or supporting material, in particular:
Architecture a curved member supporting a vault or defining its form:stone is used only for ribs, piers, and windows [as modifier]:a rib vault
a curved transverse strut of metal or timber in a ship, extending up from the keel and forming part of the framework of the hull:the hull was stiffened with 26 ribs
each of the curved pieces of wood forming the body of a lute or the sides of a violin.
each of the hinged rods supporting the fabric of an umbrella.
Aeronautics a structural member in an aerofoil, extending back from the leading edge and serving to define the contour of the aerofoil.
3a vein of a leaf or an insect’s wing:a spinach-type leaf with red ribs
a ridge of rock or land:the final rib gives pleasant climbing
4 [mass noun] Knitting a combination of alternate plain and purl stitches producing a ridged, slightly elastic fabric:knit twenty rows of rib [count noun]:knit a new rib
ზმნა
Universal
1mark with or form into ridges:the road was ribbed with furrows of slush
provide with ribs:the aisle vaults are lower, but are also ribbed and painted
2 informal tease good-naturedly:the first time I appeared in the outfit I was ribbed mercilessly
