rib / rib/ • n. 1. each of a series of slender curved bones articulated in pairs to the spine (twelve pairs in humans), protecting the thoracic cavity and its organs. ∎  a rib of an animal with meat adhering to it used as food; a joint or cut from the ribs of an animal.2. a long raised piece of stronger or thicker material across a surface or through a structure, and typically serving to support or strengthen it, in particular: ∎  Archit. a curved member supporting a vault or defining its form. ∎  any of the curved transverse pieces of metal or timber in a ship, extending up from the keel and forming part of the framework of the hull. ∎  each of the curved pieces of wood forming the body of a lute or the sides of a violin. ∎  each of the hinged rods supporting the fabric of an umbrella. ∎  Aeron. a structural member in an airfoil, extending back from the leading edge and serving to define the contour of the airfoil. ∎  a vein of a leaf (esp. the midrib) or an insect's wing. ∎  a ridge of rock or land. ∎  Knitting a combination of alternate knit (plain) and purl stitches producing a ridged, slightly elastic fabric, used esp. for the cuffs and bottom edges of sweaters.• v. (ribbed, rib·bing) [tr.] 1. (usu. be ribbed) mark with or form into raised bands or ridges: the road ahead was ribbed with furrows of slush.2. inf. tease good-naturedly: the first time I appeared in the outfit I was ribbed mercilessly.DERIVATIVES: rib·less adj.

rib. Moulding on a flat or vaulted ceiling. In medieval work a raised moulding forming part of the vault, framing the panels or webs, often with elaborate sections, and with their crowning intersections adorned with sculptured bosses. Types of Gothic rib include:diagonal rib: main ribs running diagonally across a compartment square or rectangular on plan;lierne rib: subordinate rib between the main ribs, or between the apex (or clef) of the vault and the junction of two tierceron ribs;ridge rib: rib at the apex of a medieval vault, i.e. horizontal and coincident with the main axis of nave or aisle;tierceron rib: secondary rib springing e.g. from the pier to the ridge rib;transverse rib: rib rising from a pier and set at right angles to the main axis of the nave or aisle, i.e. spanning either of the latter;wall-rib: formeret or rib engaged to the wall of a vault compartment.

rib Part of the axial skeleton of vertebrates, related to the vertebral apophyses. Ribs develop at the myosepta skeletagenous septa junction, articulating with vertebral apophyses. There are two types of rib: dorsal ribs form at the myoseptum horizontal septum junction, ventral ribs form where the myoseptum intersects the connective tissue surrounding the coelom.

rib One of a series of slender curved bones that form a cage to enclose, support, and protect the heart and lungs (see thorax). Ribs occur in pairs, articulating with the thoracic vertebrae of the spinal column at the back and (in reptiles, birds, and mammals) with the sternum (breastbone) in front. Movements of the rib cage, controlled by intercostal muscles between the ribs, are important in breathing (see respiratory movement).

rib (rib) n. a curved strip of bone forming part of the skeleton of the thorax. There are 12 pairs of ribs. The head of each rib articulates with one of the 12 thoracic vertebrae of the backbone; the other end is attached to a costal cartilage. false r. any of the three pairs of ribs below the true ribs. Each is connected by its cartilage to the rib above it. floating r. any of the last two pairs of ribs, which end freely in the muscles of the body wall. true r. any of the first seven pairs of ribs, which are connected directly to the sternum by their costal cartilages. Anatomical name: costa.