source: By Josef Rejsek (1860-1932) - JANOŠÍK, Jan. Anatomický atlas ku studiu i praktické potřebě. Vol. 1, p. 34. Digitized by the Czech Medical Library, Public Domain

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.: 胸部の空洞とその器官を守る、(人間に12組の)背骨に間接でつながった、それぞれの一連のほっそりした曲がった骨

肋骨（ろっこつ）, あばら骨

a rib of an animal with meat adhering to it used as food; a joint or cut from the ribs of an animal.: 食べ物として使われるところに付着している肉のついた動物の肋骨; 動物の肋の肉の大切り身、カット

(肋骨付きの)あばら肉, リブ(→ spareribs)

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.

Architecture 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.

Aeronautics a structural member in an airfoil, extending back from the leading edge and serving to define the contour of the airfoil.

a ridge of rock or land.

3. a vein of a leaf (especially the midrib) or an insect's wing.

4. Knitting a combination of alternate knit (plain) and purl stitches producing a ridged, slightly elastic fabric, used especially for the cuffs and bottom edges of sweaters.

verb (ribs, ribbing, ribbed) with object

1. mark with or form into raised bands or ridges:

e.g. the road ahead was ribbed with furrows of slush.

2. informal tease good-naturedly:

e.g. the first time I appeared in the outfit I was ribbed mercilessly.

ribless adjective

Old English rib, ribb (noun), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch rib(be) and German Rippe. Sense 1 of the verb dates from the mid 16th century; the sense ‘tease’ was originally a US slang usage meaning ‘to fool, dupe’ (1930s).