ripe

Definition

Of a fruit, vegetable, seed, etc., ready for reaping or gathering; having attained perfection; mature.

Etymology

From Middle English ripe, rype, from Old English rīpe (“ripe, mature”), from Proto-West Germanic *rīpī, from Proto-Germanic *rīpijaz, *rīpiz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁reyb- (“to snatch”). Cognate with West Frisian ryp (“ripe”), Dutch rijp (“ripe”), German reif (“ripe”). Related to reap.

Example Sentences

• "ripe grain"
• "ripe apples"
• "So mayst thou live, till, like ripe fruit, thou drop / Into thy mother's lap."