rife

Definition

Widespread, common, prevalent, current (mainly of unpleasant or harmful things).

Etymology

From Middle English rife, from Old English rīfe, rȳfe (“rife, abundant, frequent”), from Proto-West Germanic *rīb, from Proto-Germanic *rībaz (“generous”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁reyp- (“to tear (off), rip”). Cognate with West Frisian rju (“rife, much”), Dutch rijf (“abundant, copious”), Low German rive (“abundant, munificent”), Icelandic rífur (“rife, munificent”), Faroese ríviligur (“plentiful, abundant”), Faroese rívan (“abundantly”), Icelandic reifa (“to bestow”).

Example Sentences

• "Smallpox was rife after the siege had been lifted."
• "Before the plague of London, inflammations of the lungs were rife and mortal."
• "The tumult of loud mirth was rife."