Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A cord pulled to release the pack of a parachute.
  • noun A cord pulled to release gas from a balloon.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A cord to release a parachute from its sack.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a cord that is pulled to open the gasbag of a balloon wide enough to release gas and so causes the balloon to descend
  • noun a cord that is pulled to open a parachute from its pack during a descent

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • Since I forgot to pull the ripcord when a bell — or something rang — Eddie tapped me on the shoulder, and then he pulled the cord.

    Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grandmothers Jack Canfield 2011

  • Wall Street executives can always pull the ripcord on their golden parachutes before hitting the pavement.

    Think Progress » Goldman CEO Blankfein feels that ‘government is out to kill them.’ 2010

  • I used to like the prong rests because it was simple but the helical fletching is a problem so i switched to the ripcord and never looked back.

    Beginning Bowhunting 2009

  • We were told to listen for a ringing sound at 5,000 feet, which meant it was time to do something, like pull the ripcord.

    Chicken Soup for the Soul: Grandmothers Jack Canfield 2011

  • I used to like the prong rests because it was simple but the helical fletching is a problem so i switched to the ripcord and never looked back.

    Beginning Bowhunting 2009

  • Royce immediately pulled the ripcord, felt the massive jerk of deployment, then began gliding in a slow circle down toward the speck in the water below.

    Gideon’s war Howard Gordon 2011

  • After a year of wrestling with the decision, however, the Balints are finally pulling the ripcord.

    Learning To Walk: Fear, Shame And Your Underwater Mortgage Ryan Grim 2011

  • After a year of wrestling with the decision, however, the Balints are finally pulling the ripcord.

    Learning To Walk: Fear, Shame And Your Underwater Mortgage Ryan Grim 2011

  • Royce immediately pulled the ripcord, felt the massive jerk of deployment, then began gliding in a slow circle down toward the speck in the water below.

    Gideon’s war Howard Gordon 2011

  • Royce immediately pulled the ripcord, felt the massive jerk of deployment, then began gliding in a slow circle down toward the speck in the water below.

    Gideon’s war Howard Gordon 2011

Comments

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  • I love that WeirdNet uses the word "gasbag" in the definition.

    January 29, 2009