noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˈbɒdɪs ˌɹɪpə/
General-American:/ˈbɑdɪs ˌɹɪpɚ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A romantic novel, usually in a historical setting, with frank depictions of sexual activity, especially one in which the female protagonist is seduced; (by extension) a film, television programme, etc., featuring such activity.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: informal
Examples
My aunt would bring a stack of torrid bodice rippers with her to the beach, and would unfailingly blush if disturbed in her reading.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: hysterical historical
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
a romantic novel containing scenes in which the heroine is sexually violated
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: romance
History
Etymology
From the fact that the female protagonists in such novels would often have their bodices (blouses or corsets) removed with some force before sexual activity commenced.
Across languages
Translations
2 source translations are retained for this English entry.
German:
Nackenbeißer
— a sexually explicit romantic novel, usually in a historical setting
Italian:
racconto erotico
— a sexually explicit romantic novel, usually in a historical setting
