Rib \Rib\, n. [AS. rib, ribb; akin to D. rib, G. rippe, OHG. rippa, rippi, Dan. ribbe, Icel. rif, Russ. rebro.] 1. (Anat.) One of the curved bones attached to the vertebral column and supporting the lateral walls of the thorax.
Note: In man there are twelve ribs on each side, of which the upper seven are directly connected with the sternum by cartilages, and are called sternal, or true, ribs. The remaining five pairs are called asternal, or false, ribs, and of these each of the three upper pairs is attached to the cartilage of the rib above, while the two lower pairs are free at the ventral ends, and are called floating ribs. See {Thorax}.
2. That which resembles a rib in form or use. Specifically: (a) (Shipbuilding) One of the timbers, or bars of iron or steel, that branch outward and upward from the keel, to support the skin or planking, and give shape and strength to the vessel. (b) (Mach. & Structures) A ridge, fin, or wing, as on a plate, cylinder, beam, etc., to strengthen or stiffen it. (c) One of the rods on which the cover of an umbrella is extended. (d) A prominent line or ridge, as in cloth. (e) A longitudinal strip of metal uniting the barrels of a double-barreled gun.
3. (Bot.) The chief nerve, or one of the chief nerves, of a leaf. (b) Any longitudinal ridge in a plant.
4. (Arch.) (a) In Gothic vaulting, one of the primary members of the vault. These are strong arches, meeting and crossing one another, dividing the whole space into triangles, which are then filled by vaulted construction of lighter material. Hence, an imitation of one of these in wood, plaster, or the like. (b) A projecting mold, or group of moldings, forming with others a pattern, as on a ceiling, ornamental door, or the like.
5. (Mining) (a) Solid coal on the side of a gallery; solid ore in a vein. (b) An elongated pillar of ore or coal left as a support. --Raymond.
6. A wife; -- in allusion to Eve, as made out of Adam's rib. [Familiar & Sportive]
How many have we known whose heads have been broken with their own rib. --Bp. Hall.
{Chuck rib}, a cut of beef immediately in front of the middle rib. See {Chuck}.
{Fore ribs}, a cut of beef immediately in front of the sirloin.
{Middle rib}, a cut of beef between the chuck rib and the fore ribs.
{Rib grass}. (Bot.) Same as {Ribwort}.
Rib \Rib\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ribbed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Ribbing}.] 1. To furnish with ribs; to form with rising lines and channels; as, to rib cloth.
2. To inclose, as with ribs, and protect; to shut in.
It [lead] were too gross To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave. --Shak.
{To rib land}, to leave strips of undisturbed ground between the furrows in plowing.
For example, Ms. Patrock says she told an insurance salesman's co-workers, who frequently had to cover for the salesman when he was late for appointments, to rib him by buying him a watch and an appointment book.
The couple gave differing accounts of a Dec. 31 fight that sent Mrs. Hunter to the hospital with a fractured rib and resulted in Hunter's trial.
Merry was hit by a turnip while he was shopping in east London on July 14. He suffered a punctured lung and a rib was broken in three places.
He suffered only a broken rib and minor cuts.
Irwin has raversed mountaintops and braved blizzards, craved cheeseburgers and greasy french fries, broken a rib and fallen an estimated 3,000 times.
Of the fuselage area where the break occurred last week, the Boeing spokesman said: "It appears to be at Station 360, which is a major rib at the point directly aft of the front passenger entry."
The rescue technique involves the application of a sudden, sharp pressure to the abdomen below the rib cage.
Another man was in fair condition with a rib fracture and eight others were treated and released.
Next's ribbed neck and cuff sweater (Pounds 34.99) is famous for its wonderful rib stitching.
Surgery was performed April 11 to remove part of the rib and check it for cancer.
Their monthly meeting place: The bar of a rib joint here called RJ's.