browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
ribald |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Ribald \Rib"ald\, a. Low base; mean filthy; obscene. The busy day Waked by the lark, hath roused the ribald crows. --Shak. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Ribald \Rib"ald\, n./ [OE. ribald, ribaud, F. ribaud, OF ribald, ribault, LL ribaldus of German origin; cf OHG hr[=i]pa prostitute. For the ending -ald cf E. {Herald}.] A low vulgar, brutal, foul-mouthed wretch; a lewd fellow. --Spenser. Pope. Ribald was almost a class name in the feudal system . . . He was his patron's parasite, bulldog, and tool . . . It is not to be wondered at that the word rapidly became a synonym for everything ruffianly and brutal. --Earle. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: ribald adj : humorously vulgar; "bawdy songs"; "off-color jokes"; "ribald language" [syn: {bawdy}, {off-color}] n : a ribald person; someone who uses vulgar and offensive language
more about ribald
This work is licensed under a
