ripen.[L. ripa.] The bank of a river.()a.[AS. rpe; akin to OS. rpi, D. rijp, G. rief, OHG. rft; cf. AS. rp harvest, rpan to reap. Cf. Reap.]1. Ready for reaping or gathering; having attained perfection; mature; -- said of fruits, seeds, etc.; as, ripe grain.()So mayst thou live, till, like ripe fruit, thou drop
Into thy mother's lap. (Milton.)2. Advanced to the state of fitness for use; mellow; as, ripe cheese; ripe wine.()3. Having attained its full development; mature; perfected; consummate.(Chaucer.)He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one. (Shak.)4. Maturated or suppurated; ready to discharge; -- said of sores, tumors, etc.()5. Ready for action or effect; prepared.()While things were just ripe for a war. (Addison.)I am not ripe to pass sentence on the gravest public bodies. (Burke.)6. Like ripened fruit in ruddiness and plumpness.()Those happy smilets,
That played on her ripe lip. (Shak.)7. Intoxicated.(Shak.)()v. i.[AS. rpian.] To ripen; to grow ripe.()v. t. To mature; to ripen.(Shak.)