rib

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.

noun

1. (anatomy) Any of a series of long curved bones occurring in 12 pairs in humans and other animals and extending from the spine to or toward the sternum.
2. (by extension) A part or piece, similar to a rib, and serving to shape or support something.
   umbrella ribs
3. A cut of meat enclosing one or more rib bones.
4. (nautical) Any of several curved members attached to a ship's keel and extending upward and outward to form the framework of the hull.
5. (aeronautics) Any of several transverse pieces that provide an aircraft wing with shape and strength.
6. (architecture) A long, narrow, usually arched member projecting from the surface of a structure, especially such a member separating the webs of a vault
7. (knitting) A raised ridge in knitted material or in cloth.
8. (botany) The main, or any of the prominent veins of a leaf.
9. A teasing joke.
10. (Ireland, colloquial) A single strand of hair.
11. A stalk of celery.
12. (archaic, literary or humorous) A wife or woman.
    'Near to it was the portrait of his rib, Dame Middleton.' 1862, George Borrow, Wild Wales

verb

1. To shape, support, or provide something with a rib or ribs.
2. To tease or make fun of someone in a good-natured way.
   He always gets ribbed for his outrageous shirts.
3. To enclose, as if with ribs, and protect; to shut in.
4. (transitive) To leave strips of undisturbed ground between the furrows in ploughing (land).

Etymology 2

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

noun

1. (botany) Hound's-tongue (Cynoglossum officinale).
2. (botany) Costmary (Tanacetum balsamita).
3. (botany) Watercress (Nasturtium officinale).