ripple

ripple

ripple¹ [rip′əl]

vi.

rippled, rippling [prob. < RIP¹ + -LE, sense 3]

1.

a) to form or have little waves or undulating movements on the surface, as water or grass stirred by a breeze

b) to flow with such waves or movements on the surface

c) to be formed or set in small folds or waves, as cloth or hair

2. to give the effect of rippling water, as by alternately rising and falling [laughter rippling through the hall]

vt.

1. to cause to ripple

2. to give a wavy form or appearance to

3. to make (a sound, tone, etc.) that ripples

n.

1. a small wave or undulation, as on the surface of water

2. a movement, appearance, or formation suggesting this

3. a sound like that of rippling water

4. a small rapid in a stream

SYN.- WAVE

rippler

n.

ripple² [rip′əl]

vt.

rippled, rippling [ME rypelen < or akin to MLowG or MDu repelen, akin to OHG riffilon, to scrape, riffila, a saw < IE * reib- > REAP]

to remove the seeds from (flax, hemp, etc.) with a toothed implement resembling a comb

n.

such an implement

rippler

n.