Ripe \Ripe\ (r[imac]p), a. [Compar. Riper (-[~e]r); superl.
Ripest.]
[AS. r[=i]pe; akin to OS. r[=i]pi, D. rijp, G.
rief, OHG. r[=i]ft; cf. AS. r[=i]p harvest, r[=i]pan to reap.
Cf. Reap.]
1. Ready for reaping or gathering; having attained
perfection; mature; -- said of fruits, seeds, etc.; as,
ripe grain.
So mayst thou live, till, like ripe fruit, thou drop
Into thy mother's lap. --Milton.
2. Advanced to the state of fitness for use; mellow; as, ripe
cheese; ripe wine.
3. Having attained its full development; mature; perfected;
consummate. ``Ripe courage.'' --Chaucer.
He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one. --Shak.
4. Maturated or suppurated; ready to discharge; -- said of
sores, tumors, etc.
5. Ready for action or effect; prepared.
While things were just ripe for a war. --Addison.
I am not ripe to pass sentence on the gravest public
bodies. --Burke.
6. Like ripened fruit in ruddiness and plumpness.
Those happy smilets, That played on her ripe lip.
--Shak.
7. Intoxicated. [Obs.]
``Reeling ripe.'' --Shak.
Syn: Mature; complete; finished. See Mature.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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