English

Alternative forms

• ribauld (rare)

Adjective

ribald ‎(comparative more ribald, superlative most ribald)

1. Coarsely, vulgarly, or lewdly amusing; referring to sexual matters in a rude or irreverent way.
   • 1693, Thomas Urquhart and Peter Anthony Motteux (Trans.), François Rabelais' Gargantua an Pantagruel, The Third Book, Chapter XXVII:

     [L]et no zealous Christian trust the rogue,—the filthy ribald rascal is a liar.

   • 1875, May 15, Anonymous, "Mr. Carl Schurz and the Democratic Party", Harper's Weekly:

     But when he died the "Reform Democracy" instinctively returned to its vomit of ribald insult.

   • 1888, Ambrose Pierce, "A Fruitless Assignment", Can Such Things Be? (Pub. 1893):^[1]

     [T]he curious crowd had collected in the street […] , with here and there a scoffer uttering his incredulity and courage with scornful remarks or ribald cries.

   • 2016 February 23, Robbie Collin, “Grimsby review: ' Sacha Baron Cohen's vital, venomous action movie'”, in The Daily Telegraph (London):

     Baron Cohen turns his attentions back towards England, satirising the Establishment’s contempt for what Nobby himself proudly calls “scum” with ribald and corrosive glee.

Translations

Noun

ribald ‎(plural ribalds)

1. An individual who is filthy or vulgar in nature.
   • 1483 [1900 edition], William Caxton (Trans.), Jacobus de Voragine, "Life of S. Paul the first Hermit", The Golden Legend:

     After, he made an harlot, a ribald, come to him alone for to touch his members and his body, to move to lechery.

Translations

Related terms

• ribaldry

References

1. ↑ Originally published in the San Francisco Examiner on June 24, 1888, and later included in Can Such Things Be? and Present at a Hanging and Other Ghost Stories.

Anagrams

• bridal