ripe

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. adj. Fully developed; mature: ripe peaches.
2. adj. Resembling matured fruit, as in fullness.
3. adj. Sufficiently advanced in preparation or aging to be used or eaten: ripe cheese.
4. adj. Thoroughly matured, as by study or experience; seasoned: ripe judgment.
5. adj. Advanced in years: the ripe age of 90.
6. adj. Fully prepared to do or undergo something; ready: "By 1965 the republic was ripe for a coup” ( Alex Shoumatoff).
7. adj. Sufficiently advanced; opportune: The time is ripe for great societal changes.
8. adj. Exhibiting overtones of or references to sex; scatological: "The language on the stage was riper than anything I have heard in a lifetime of newspaper work” ( John Hughes).
9. adj. Emitting a foul odor, especially body odor.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. Ready for reaping, gathering, or using; brought to completion or perfection; mature: usually said of that which is grown and used for food: as, ripe fruit; ripe corn.
2. Advanced to the state of being fit for use, or in the best condition for use: said of mutton, venison, game, cheese, beer, etc., which has acquired a peculiar and approved flavor by keeping.
3. Resembling ripe fruit in ruddiness, juiciness, or plumpness.
4. Full-grown; developed; finished; having experience, knowledge, or skill; equipped; accomplished; wise; clever: as, a ripe judgment; a ripe old age.
5. Mature; ready for some change or operation, as an ovum for discharge from the ovary, an abscess for lancing, a cataract for extraction, or a fish for spawning.
6. Ready for action or effect: often preceded by a specific word: as, bursting ripe, fighting ripe—that is, ready to burst, or to fight.
7. Synonyms Mature, Ripe. See mature.
8. To ripen; grow ripe; be matured. See ripen.
9. To grow old.
10. To mature; ripen; make ripe.
11. To search (especially, pockets); rummage; hence, to plunder.
12. To poke.
13. To sweep or wipe clean; clean.
14. To examine strictly.
15. To break up (rough ground).
16. n. A bank.
17. n. Same as rip.

Wiktionary

1. adj. Ready for reaping or gathering; having attained perfection; mature; -- said of fruits, seeds, etc.; as, ripe grain.
2. adj. Advanced to the state of fitness for use; mellow; as, ripe cheese; ripe wine.
3. adj. figuratively Having attained its full development; mature; perfected; consummate.
4. adj. archaic Maturated or suppurated; ready to discharge; -- said of sores, tumors, etc.
5. adj. Ready for action or effect; prepared.
6. adj. Like ripened fruit in ruddiness and plumpness.
7. adj. obsolete Intoxicated.
8. adj. law Of a conflict between parties, having developed to a stage where the conflict may be reviewed by a court of law.
9. adj. Smelly: having a disagreeable odor.
10. n. agriculture A fruit or vegetable which has ripened.
11. v. To ripen or mature

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. obsolete The bank of a river.
2. adj. Ready for reaping or gathering; having attained perfection; mature; -- said of fruits, seeds, etc..
3. adj. Advanced to the state of fitness for use; mellow.
4. adj. Having attained its full development; mature; perfected; consummate.
5. adj. Maturated or suppurated; ready to discharge; -- said of sores, tumors, etc.
6. adj. Ready for action or effect; prepared.
7. adj. Like ripened fruit in ruddiness and plumpness.
8. adj. obsolete Intoxicated.
9. v. obsolete To ripen; to grow ripe.
10. v. obsolete To mature; to ripen.

WordNet 3.0

1. adj. fully prepared or eager
2. adj. far along in time
3. adj. at the highest point of development especially in judgment or knowledge
4. adj. most suitable or right for a particular purpose
5. adj. fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used