Ribald
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ˈɹɪb.əld/
- US IPA: /ˈɹɪb.əld/, /ˈɹaɪ.bɔld/
Alternative forms
- ribauld rare
Origin
From Middle English, from Old French ribaud, ribauld ("rogue, scoundrel") ( >
French ribaud), from riber ("to be licentious"), from Frankish *rīben ("to copulate, be in heat", literally to rub), from Proto-Germanic *wrībaną ("to turn, twist"), from Proto-Indo-European *werp-, *werb- ("to turn, twist") + Old French -auld, from Old Frankish *-wald. Cognate with Old High German rīban ("to rub"), Dutch wrijven ("to rub"). Compare also Old High German hrība ("prostitute"). More at wrap.
Full definition of ribald
Adjective
ribald
- Coarsely, vulgarly, or lewdly amusing; referring to sexual matters in a rude or irreverent way.
- 1693, Thomas Urquhart and (Trans.), ' , The Third Book, :Let no zealous Christian trust the rogue,—the filthy ribald rascal is a liar.
- 1875, May 15, Anonymous, "", Harper's Weekly:But when he died the "Reform Democracy" instinctively returned to its vomit of ribald insult.
- 1888, Ambrose Pierce, "", Can Such Things Be? (Pub. 1893):Originally published in the San Francisco Examiner on June 24, 1888, and later included in Can Such Things Be? and Present at a Hanging and Other Ghost Stories.The curious crowd had collected in the street ..., with here and there a scoffer uttering his incredulity and courage with scornful remarks or ribald cries.
Noun
ribald
(plural ribalds)- An individual who is filthy or vulgar in nature.
- 1483 edition, William Caxton (Trans.), , "", The :After, he made an harlot, a ribald, come to him alone for to touch his members and his body, to move to lechery.