Category:Ribald

Rib"ald, n./ Etym: [oe. ribald, ribaud, f. ribaud, of. ribald, Ribault, ll. ribaldus, of german origin; cf. Ohg hripa prostitute. For the ending -ald cf. E. Herald.]

Defn: a low, vulgar, brutal, foul-mouthed wretch; a lewd fellow. Spenser. Pope. Ribald was almost a class name in the feudal system. . . He was his Patron's parasite, bulldog, and tool. . . It is not to be wondered At that the word rapidly became a synonym for everything ruffianly And brutal. Earle.

Ribald Rib"ald, a.

Defn: low; base; mean; filthy; obscene. The busy day, waked by the lark, hath roused the ribald crows. Shak.