rib
UK[rɪb]US[rɪb]
n
One of the curved bones that are connected to the spine and surround the chest.
n
A long thin piece of meat that contains a bone from the side of an animal.
n
A curved piece of wood, metal, or plastic that forms part of the frame of a ship, roof, or other structure.
v
To tease or make fun of someone in a friendly way.
Etymology
The word 'rib' has a remarkably stable history, tracing a direct path from its Proto-Germanic ancestor rebja- into Old English as ribb. This Germanic root is itself derived from the Proto-Indo-European base (H)rebh-, meaning "to roof, to cover," a concept that elegantly connects the anatomical rib cage covering the chest to architectural ribs forming a supportive frame. The semantic core of a curved, arching support structure has remained consistent for millennia, applying first to anatomy, then to shipbuilding and architecture. The modern verb sense, "to tease," is a 20th-century American colloquialism, likely originating from the idea of poking or nudging someone in the ribs.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Germanic origin. The Old English form ribb is a direct descendant from the Proto-Germanic rebja-, meaning "rib, side-wall of a structure." Its functional role is as a base noun (and later verb) with a core meaning related to a curved, supportive element.
Examples
He broke a rib in a skiing accident.
We ordered a full rack of barbecued ribs.
The wooden ribs of the boat were carefully crafted.