Standard Lemma guide
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
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
name
Alternative form of Rif (“mountains in Morocco”).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of, alternative
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
name
Acronym of Resource Interchange File Format.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: abbreviation, acronym, alt-of
Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A repeated melody line in a song, usually instrumental but sometimes vocal.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A clever or witty remark.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A variation on something.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A spoof.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The belly; the bowels.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
Topics: anatomy, medicine, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To improvise in the performance or practice of an art, especially by expanding on or making novel use of traditional themes.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To riffle.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To tell jokes over a movie or similar performance.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: MST
Antonyms: none provided
noun
a jazz ostinato; usually provides a background for a solo improvisation
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: ostinato
noun
a Berber living in northern Morocco
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: Riffian
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: Berber
verb
play riffs
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: play, spiel
verb
look through a book or other written material
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: flick, flip, thumb, riffle, leaf
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: peruse
History
Uncertain. Perhaps a clipping of riffle, or an alteration of refrain.
From Middle English *rif (found only in midrif), from Old English hrif (“the belly; womb”), from Proto-West Germanic *hrif, from Proto-Germanic *hrefaz (“body; torso; belly”), from Proto-Indo-European *krep- (“body”). Distant doublet of corpus, corpse, and corse.
Across languages
19 source translations are retained for this English entry.
