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riper |
1 definition found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Ripe \Ripe\ (r[imac]p), a. [Compar. {Riper} (-[~e]r); superl. {Ripest}.] [AS. r[=i]pe; akin to OS r[=i]pi, D. rijp, G. rief, OHG. r[=i]ft; cf AS r[=i]p harvest, r[=i]pan to reap. Cf {Reap}.] 1. Ready for reaping or gathering; having attained perfection; mature; -- said of fruits, seeds, etc.; as ripe grain. So mayst thou live, till, like ripe fruit, thou drop Into thy mother's lap. --Milton. 2. Advanced to the state of fitness for use mellow; as ripe cheese; ripe wine. 3. Having attained its full development; mature; perfected; consummate. ``Ripe courage.'' --Chaucer. He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one --Shak. 4. Maturated or suppurated; ready to discharge; -- said of sores, tumors, etc 5. Ready for action or effect; prepared. While things were just ripe for a war. --Addison. I am not ripe to pass sentence on the gravest public bodies. --Burke. 6. Like ripened fruit in ruddiness and plumpness. Those happy smilets, That played on her ripe lip. --Shak. 7. Intoxicated. [Obs.] ``Reeling ripe.'' --Shak. Syn: Mature; complete; finished. See {Mature}.
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