What is "rib"

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:

   1. (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.

   2. (Mach. & Structures) A ridge, fin, or wing, as on a plate, cylinder, beam, etc., to strengthen or stiffen it.

   3. One of the rods on which the cover of an umbrella is extended.

   4. A prominent line or ridge, as in cloth.

   5. 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.)

   1. 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.

   2. A projecting mold, or group of moldings, forming with others a pattern, as on a ceiling, ornamental door, or the like.

5. (Mining)

   1. Solid coal on the side of a gallery; solid ore in a vein.

   2. 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.

   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.

Old English ribb "rib," from Proto-Germanic *rebja- (cognates: Old Norse rif, Old Saxon ribbi, Old Frisian ribb, Middle Dutch, Dutch ribbe, Old High German ribba, German Rippe), literally "a covering" (of the cavity of the chest), from PIE *rebh- "to roof, cover" (cognates: Greek ereptein "to roof," Old Church Slavonic rebro "rib, reef"). As an item of food from early 15c. Rib joint "brothel" is slang from 1943, probably in reference to Adam's rib (compare rib "woman, wife," attested from 1580s).

"tease, fool," 1930, apparently from rib (n.); perhaps as a figurative suggestion of poking someone in the ribs. Related: Ribbed; ribbing.

n. 1 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 A part or piece, similar to a rib, and serving to shape or support something 3 A cut of meat enclosing one or more rib bones 4 (label en 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 Any of several transverse pieces that provide an aircraft wing with shape and strength 6 (label en 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 (label en knitting) A raised ridge in knitted material or in cloth 8 (label en botany) The main, or any of the prominent veins of a leaf 9 A teasing joke 10 (label en Ireland colloquial) A single strand of hair. 11 A stalk of celery. vb. 1 To shape, support, or provide something with a rib or ribs 2 To tease or make fun of someone 3 To enclose, as if with ribs, and protect; to shut in. 4 (label en transitive) To leave strips of undisturbed ground between the furrows in ploughing (land).

1. n. support resembling the rib of an animal

2. any of the 12 pairs of curved arches of bone extending from the spine to or toward the sternum in humans (and similar bones in most vertebrates) [syn: costa]

3. cut of meat including one or more ribs

4. a teasing remark

5. a riblike supporting or strengthening part of an animal or plant

6. a projecting molding on the underside of a vault or ceiling; may be ornamental or structural

7. [also: ribbing, ribbed]

1. v. form vertical ribs by knitting; "A ribbed sweater"

2. subject to laughter or ridicule; "The satirists ridiculed the plans for a new opera house"; "The students poked fun at the inexperienced teacher"; "His former students roasted the professor at his 60th birthday" [syn: ridicule, roast, guy, blackguard, laugh at, jest at, make fun, poke fun]

3. [also: ribbing, ribbed]

In vertebrate anatomy, ribs are the long curved bones which form the rib cage. In most tetrapods, ribs surround the chest, enabling the lungs to expand and thus facilitate breathing by expanding the chest cavity. They serve to protect the lungs, heart, and other internal organs of the thorax. In some animals, especially snakes, ribs may provide support and protection for the entire body.

In an aircraft, ribs are forming elements of the structure of a wing, especially in traditional construction.

By analogy with the anatomical definition of " rib", the ribs attach to the main spar, and by being repeated at frequent intervals, form a skeletal shape for the wing. Usually ribs incorporate the airfoil shape of the wing, and the skin adopts this shape when stretched over the ribs.

Rib or RIB may refer to: