Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
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. [1913… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Ribald — Rib ald, a. Low; base; mean; filthy; obscene. [1913 Webster] The busy day, Waked by the lark, hath roused the ribald crows. Shak. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
ribald — [rib′əld] adj. [ME ribaude < OFr ribaud, debauchee < riber, to be wanton < OHG riban, to copulate, lit., to rub < IE * wreip , to twist > Gr rhipē, a throw, rush, storm] characterized by coarse or vulgar joking or mocking; esp.,… … English World dictionary
ribald — index blameworthy, blatant (obtrusive), disreputable, inelegant, lascivious, lewd, obscene, offensive … Law dictionary
ribald — (n.) mid 13c., a rogue, ruffian, rascall, scoundrell, varlet, filthie fellow [Cotgrave], from O.Fr. ribalt, of uncertain origin, perhaps from riber be wanton, sleep around, from a Germanic source (Cf. O.H.G. riban be wanton, lit. to rub, possibly … Etymology dictionary
ribald — obscene, gross, *coarse, vulgar Analogous words: *offensive, loathsome: indecent, indelicate (see INDECOROUS): lewd, lascivious, wanton (see LICENTIOUS): scurrilous, opprobrious (see ABUSIVE) … New Dictionary of Synonyms
ribald — [adj] vulgar, obscene base, bawdy, blue*, coarse, devilish, earthy, fast*, filthy*, foulmouthed, gross*, indecent, indecorous, juicy, lascivious, lewd, licentious, low down and dirty, naughty, off color, out of line*, purple*, racy, rascally,… … New thesaurus
ribald — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ coarsely or irreverently humorous. ORIGIN originally denoting a licentious or irreverent person: from Old French ribauld, from riber indulge in licentious pleasures … English terms dictionary
ribald — rib|ald [ˈrıbəld] adj [Date: 1400 1500; Origin: ribald person of bad character (13 19 centuries), from Old French ribaut, ribauld, from riber to sleep around ] ribald remarks or jokes are humorous, rude, and about sex ▪ a ribald remark ▪ ribald… … Dictionary of contemporary English
ribald — I. noun Etymology: Middle English ribaud person of low status, scoundrel, lecher, from Anglo French, from Old French riber to be debauched, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German rīban to be in heat, copulate, literally, to rub Date: 13th… … New Collegiate Dictionary
ribald — ribaldly, adv. /rib euhld/; spelling pron. /ruy beuhld/, adj. 1. vulgar or indecent in speech, language, etc.; coarsely mocking, abusive, or irreverent; scurrilous. n. 2. a ribald person. [1200 50; ME ribald, ribaud (n.) < OF ribau(l)d, equiv. to … Universalium
