Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Ripple

Rip′ple

,
Noun.
[From
Rip
,
Verb.
]
An implement, with teeth like those of a comb, for removing the seeds and seed vessels from flax, broom corn, etc.

Rip′ple

,
Verb.
T.
1.
To remove the seeds from (the stalks of flax, etc.), by means of a ripple.
2.
Hence, to scratch or tear.
Holland.

Rip′ple

,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Rippled
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Rippling
.]
[Cf.
Rimple
,
Rumple
.]
1.
To become fretted or dimpled on the surface, as water when agitated or running over a rough bottom; to be covered with small waves or undulations, as a field of grain.
2.
To make a sound as of water running gently over a rough bottom, or the breaking of ripples on the shore.

Rip′ple

,
Verb.
T.
To fret or dimple, as the surface of running water; to cover with small waves or undulations;
as, the breeze
rippled
the lake
.

Rip′ple

,
Noun.
1.
The fretting or dimpling of the surface, as of running water; little curling waves.
2.
A little wave or undulation; a sound such as is made by little waves;
as, a
ripple
of laughter
.
Ripple grass
.
(Bot.)
See
Ribwort
.
–
Ripple marks
,
a system of parallel ridges on sand, produced by wind, by the current of a steam, or by the agitation of wind waves; also
(Geol.)
, a system of parallel ridges on the surface of a sandstone stratum.

Webster 1828 Edition

Ripple

RIP'PLE

, v.i.
To fret on the surface; as water when agitated or running over a rough bottom, appears rough and broken, or as if ripped or torn.

RIP'PLE

, v.t.
1.
To clean, as flax.
2.
To agitate the surface of water.

RIP'PLE

, n.
1.
The fretting of the surface of water; little curling waves.
2.
A large comb or hatchel for cleaning flax.

Definition 2024

ripple

ripple

English

Noun

ripple ‎(plural ripples)

  1. A moving disturbance or undulation in the surface of a liquid.
    I dropped a small stone into the pond and watched the ripples.
  2. A sound similar to that of undulating water.
  3. A style of ice cream in which flavors have been coarsely blended together.
    I enjoy fudge ripple ice cream, but I especially like to dig through the carton to get at the ripple part and eat only that.
  4. (electronics) A small oscillation of an otherwise steady signal.
Translations

Verb

ripple ‎(third-person singular simple present ripples, present participle rippling, simple past and past participle rippled)

  1. To move like the undulating surface of a body of water; to undulate.
  2. To propagate like a moving wave.
    • 2008, Bradley Simpson, Economists with Guns, page 65:
      These problems were complicated by a foreign exchange crunch which rippled through the economy in 1961-1962, [...].
  3. To make a sound as of water running gently over a rough bottom, or the breaking of ripples on the shore.
Translations
to move like the undulating surface of a body of water

Etymology 2

From Middle English *ripelen, repulen, equivalent to rip +‎ -le ‎(frequentative suffix).

Verb

ripple ‎(third-person singular simple present ripples, present participle rippling, simple past and past participle rippled)

  1. (transitive) To scratch, tear, or break slightly; graze
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Holland to this entry?)

Etymology 3

Compare Low German Repel, Dutch repel, German Riffel, extended forms (with instrumental or diminutive -le) of Low German Repe ‎(“ripple”), Dutch repe ‎(“ripple”). Compare also Dutch repen, German reffen, Swedish repa ‎(“to beat; ripple”).

The verb is from Middle English ripplen, rypelen. Compare Low German repelen, Dutch repelen, German riffeln.

Alternative forms

  • reeple, riple

Noun

ripple ‎(plural ripples)

  1. An implement, with teeth like those of a comb, for removing the seeds and seed vessels from flax, broom corn, etc.

Verb

ripple ‎(third-person singular simple present ripples, present participle rippling, simple past and past participle rippled)

  1. To remove the seeds from (the stalks of flax, etc.), by means of a ripple.

Anagrams

Etymology

From an alteration of rimple.

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˈɹɪp(ə)l/
  • Rhymes: -ɪpəl

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