Ripe a. [Compar. Riper superl. Ripest.]
1. Ready for reaping or gathering; having attained perfection; mature; -- said of fruits, seeds, etc.; as, ripe grain.
So mayst thou live, till, like ripe fruit, thou drop
Into thy mother's lap. --Milton.
2. Advanced to the state of fitness for use; mellow; as, ripe cheese; ripe wine.
3. Having attained its full development; mature; perfected; consummate. “Ripe courage.”
He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one. --Shak.
4. Maturated or suppurated; ready to discharge; -- said of sores, tumors, etc.
5. Ready for action or effect; prepared.
While things were just ripe for a war. --Addison.
I am not ripe to pass sentence on the gravest public bodies. --Burke.
6. Like ripened fruit in ruddiness and plumpness.
Those happy smilets,
That played on her ripe lip. --Shak.
7. Intoxicated. [Obs.] “Reeling ripe.”
Syn: -- Mature; complete; finished. See Mature.