a. [ Compar. Riper superl. Ripest. ] [ AS. rīpe; akin to OS. rīpi, D. rijp, G. rief, OHG. rīft; cf. AS. rīp harvest, rīpan 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 ] | 
