Riper

Ripe Ripe (r[imac]p), a. [Compar. {Riper} (r[imac]p"[~e]r); superl. {Ripest}.] [AS. r[=i]pe; akin to OS. r[=i]pi, D. rijp, G. rief, OHG. r[=i]ft; cf. AS. r[=i]p harvest, r[=i]pan to reap. Cf. {Reap}.] 1. Ready for reaping or gathering; having attained perfection; mature; -- said of fruits, seeds, etc.; as, ripe grain. [1913 Webster]

So mayst thou live, till, like ripe fruit, thou drop Into thy mother's lap. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. Advanced to the state of fitness for use; mellow; as, ripe cheese; ripe wine. [1913 Webster]

3. Having attained its full development; mature; perfected; consummate. ``Ripe courage.'' --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. Maturated or suppurated; ready to discharge; -- said of sores, tumors, etc. [1913 Webster]

5. Ready for action or effect; prepared. [1913 Webster]

While things were just ripe for a war. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

I am not ripe to pass sentence on the gravest public bodies. --Burke. [1913 Webster]

6. Like ripened fruit in ruddiness and plumpness. [1913 Webster]

Those happy smilets, That played on her ripe lip. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

7. Intoxicated. [Obs.] ``Reeling ripe.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Mature; complete; finished. See {Mature}. [1913 Webster]