ribes

noun

ri·​bes ˈrī-(ˌ)bēz How to pronounce ribes (audio)
plural ribes
: any of a genus (Ribes of the family Grossulariaceae, the gooseberry family) of shrubs (such as a currant or a gooseberry) that have small racemose variously colored flowers and pulpy 2-seeded to many-seeded berries

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin, currant, from Arabic rībās rhubarb

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ribes was in 1753

Dictionary Entries Near ribes

Cite this Entry

“Ribes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ribes. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on ribes

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!