rip

rip¹

—rippable, adj.

/rip/, v., ripped, ripping, n.

v.t.

1. to cut or tear apart in a rough or vigorous manner: to rip open a seam; to rip up a sheet.

2. to cut or tear away in a rough or vigorous manner: to rip bark from a tree.

3. to saw (wood) in the direction of the grain.

v.i.

4. to become torn apart or split open: Cheap cloth rips easily.

5. Informal. to move with violence or great speed: The sports car ripped along in a cloud of dust and exhaust fumes.

6. let rip, Slang.

a. to utter a series of oaths; swear.

b. to speak or write violently, rapidly, or at great length.

c. to allow to proceed at full speed or without restraint.

7. rip into, Informal. to attack physically or verbally; assail.

8. rip off, Slang.

a. to steal or pilfer.

b. to rob or steal from.

c. to swindle, cheat, or exploit; take advantage of: phony charity appeals that rip off a gullible public.

9. rip out, Informal. to utter angrily, as with an oath or exclamation.

n.

10. a rent made by ripping; tear.

11. Slang. a cheat, swindle, or theft; ripoff: The average consumer doesn't realize that the new tax is a rip.

[1470-80; 1960-65 for def. 8; obscurely akin to Fris rippe, dial. D rippen; cf. dial. E ripple to scratch]

Syn. 1. See tear². 10. laceration, cut.

rip²

/rip/, n.

a stretch of turbulent water at sea or in a river.

[1765-75; see RIP¹, RIPPLE¹]

rip³

/rip/, n. Informal.

1. a dissolute or worthless person.

2. a worthless or worn-out horse.

3. something of little or no value.

[1770-80; prob. alter. of rep, shortened form of REPROBATE]

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