Word: rip Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English rippen, from earlier ryppen (“to pluck”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *rupjaną, *ruppōną, intensive of *raupijaną, causative of Proto-Indo-European *roub- ~ *reub-, variant of *Hrewp- (“to break”). See also West Frisian rippe, ripje, roppe, ropje (“to rip”), Dutch dialectal rippen, Low German ruppen, German Low German röpen, German rupfen, also Old English rīpan, rīepan (“to plunder”), West Frisian rippe (“to rip, tear”), German raufen (“to rip”); also Albanian rrabe ‘maquis’, possibly Latin rubus (“bramble”). More at reave, rob. Pronunciation: /ɹɪp/ 1. To divide or separate the parts of (especially something flimsy, such as paper or fabric), by cutting or tearing; to tear off or out by violence. Labels: transitive Example: to rip a garment; to rip up a floor Example: For a spell we done pretty well. Then there came a reg'lar terror of a sou'wester same as you don't get one summer in a thousand, and blowed the shanty flat and ripped about half of the weir poles out of the sand. 2. To tear apart; to rapidly become two parts. Labels: intransitive Example: My shirt ripped when it was caught on a bramble. 3. To remove violently or wrongly. Labels: transitive Example: A child untimely ripped from its parents' arms. Example: Mary is sister to the marginalized women who live unchronicled lives in oppressive situations. It does her no honor to rip her out of her conflictual, dangerous historical circumstances and transmute her into an icon of a peaceful, middle-class life robed in royal blue. 4. To get by, or as if by, cutting or tearing. Labels: transitive Example: He'll rip the fatal secret from her heart. 5. To move quickly and destructively. Labels: figuratively, intransitive Example: The tornado ripped through northern Nebraska. Example: “Wall,” said the landlord, fetching a long breath, “that’s a purty long sarmon for a chap that rips a little now and then. ..." 6. To cut wood along (parallel to) the grain. 7. To copy data from a CD, DVD, Internet stream, etc., to a hard drive, portable device, etc. Labels: slang, transitive 8. To take a hit, dose or shot of a drug (such as marijuana) or alcohol. Labels: slang Example: He spent the day ripping shots at the bar and ripping blunts at home. Example: ... ripping shots of cheap liquor is the easiest way to reach intoxication. It is cheaper and less time-consuming than sharing a craft beer with a friend. 9. To fart audibly. Labels: slang Example: The rest of us had our days, but Dewey was consistent. He could fart on demand. If we were at a movie, one of us would whisper to Dewey, “Hey, Dewey, let one rip,” and he would smile, raise a leg, and let one go. He had one lined up ready for launching just for the asking. 10. To mock or criticize (someone or something). (often used with on and into) Labels: US, slang, sometimes, transitive Example: He spent the entire forty-five-minute ride home ripping on me: my makeup, my hair, my clothing, my “gear bag” (his cowboy slang for my purse). 11. To steal; to rip off. Labels: slang, transitive Example: opensource is a double-edged sword. while you have a chance of people using and improving on the code, you will also have the chance of lamers ripping it. Example: I don't really care if someone rips my 3d engine, rips effects code, or anything - simply because my 3d engine and effects will be far more advanced when someone manages to use my code. 12. To move or act fast; to rush headlong. 13. To tear up for search or disclosure, or for alteration; to search to the bottom; to discover; to disclose; usually with up. Labels: archaic Example: They ripped up all that had been done from the beginning of the rebellion. Example: For brethren to debate and rip up their falling out in the ear of a common enemy […] is neither wise nor comely. 14. To surf extremely well. Labels: intransitive, slang 15. To be very good; rock Labels: intransitive, slang