Definitions

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

  • noun One that rips.
  • noun One who commits murder with a knife or similar sharp object.
  • noun Slang One that is an excellent example of its kind.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun One who or that which rips, tears, or cuts open; a ripping-tool.
  • noun A very efficient person or thing; one who does great execution: as, he is a regular ripper.
  • noun A robber. Halliwell (in the form ripier). See rip, transitive verb, 5.
  • noun One who brings fish inland from the coast to market.
  • noun A fog-horn. Also called lipper.
  • noun A rip-saw.
  • noun A double-ripper.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun One who, or that which, rips; a ripping tool.
  • noun A tool for trimming the edges of roofing slates.
  • noun Slang. Anything huge, extreme, startling, etc.

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

  • noun Something that rips (something else).
  • noun Someone who rips (something).
  • noun A legislative bill or act that transfers powers of appointment from the usual holders to a chief executive or a board of officials.
  • noun A murderer who kills and often mutilates victims with a blade or similar sharp weapon.
  • noun mining A hook-like tool used to tear away ore, rock, etc.
  • noun UK, slang Something that is an excellent example of its kind.
  • noun computing Software that extracts content from files or storage media.

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

  • noun a murderer who slashes the victims with a knife

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From rip + -er, originated 1605 – 15.

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Examples

  • Operation arrowhead ripper is consistent with what Sir Robert thompson termed the four stages of clearing, holding, winning and won.

    Matthew Yglesias » Shocking 2007

  • The second goal came on a 30-foot ripper from the right wing circle that screamed past Roy, and the final goal was a rebound goal that was lifted high into the net.

    USATODAY.com - McCarty hat trick drives Wings to victory in opener 2002

  • The problem I'm having is that the built-in subtitle ripper doesn't get the times right on some movies.

    Doom9's Forum 2009

  • The problem I'm having is that the built-in subtitle ripper doesn't get the times right on some movies.

    Doom9's Forum 2009

  • Rash of murders has England fearing another 'ripper' - Los Angeles Times: Rash of murders has England fearing another 'ripper'

    Return of the Ripper? Bill Crider 2006

  • Rash of murders has England fearing another 'ripper' - Los Angeles Times: Rash of murders has England fearing another 'ripper'

    Archive 2006-12-10 Bill Crider 2006

  • Hollywood in showdown over DVD 'ripper' - AP - Hollywood calls it "rent, rip and return" and contends it's one of the biggest technological threats to the movie industry's annual $20 billion DVD market � software that allows you to copy a film without paying for it.

    Megite Technology News: What's Happening Right Now 2009

  • Hollywood in showdown over DVD 'ripper' - AP - Hollywood calls it "rent, rip and return" and contends it's one of the biggest technological threats to the movie industry's annual $20 billion DVD market � software that allows you to copy a film without paying for it.

    Megite Technology News: What's Happening Right Now 2009

  • Hollywood in showdown over DVD 'ripper' - Hollywood calls it "rent, rip and return" and contends it's one of the biggest technological threats to the movie industry's annual $20 billion DVD market - software that allows you to copy a film without paying for it.

    Megite Technology News: What's Happening Right Now 2009

  • Hollywood in showdown over DVD 'ripper' - Hollywood calls it "rent, rip and return" and contends it's one of the biggest technological threats to the movie industry's ...

    Megite Technology News: What's Happening Right Now 2009

  • “The hot dogs are fried to obtain that ‘ripper’ state where they plump and crisp, and split either at the ends or down the middle,” Pichetto said.

    Easton Public Market’s newest vendor to offer burgers, milkshakes and New Jersey-style hot dogs dubbed ‘rippers’ 2021

Comments

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  • this word is a positive exclaimation: "good one" - it can be used for a person, place, thing, event, anything. as in "you little ripper!" or "the party was a ripper"

    December 11, 2006