† ribibe, n. Obs.
Forms: 5 rybybe, ribup(e, 6 rybibe.
[ad. OF. rubebe, rebebe (hence MDu. rebebe), It. ribebba (Florio), ad. Arab. rebāb.]
1. = rebeck.
The Cambr., Petw., and Lansd. MSS. read rubybe, rybibe, and rebibe in Chaucer Miller's T. 145, where the correct reading is rubible: see ribible.
| c 1425 Voc. in Wr.-Wülcker 667 Hec uetella, rybybe. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 433 Rybybe, vitula. c 1450 Holland Howlat 759 The rote, and the recordour, the ribupe, the rist. |
2. An opprobrious or abusive term for an old woman. (Cf. rebec.)
It is probable that both Skelton and Jonson took the word from Chaucer.
| c 1386 Chaucer Friar's T. 79 (Corpus MS.), This somnour..Rode for to somne an old wijf, a ribibe. a 1529 Skelton E. Rummyng 492 There came an old rybybe; She halted of a kybe. 1616 B. Jonson Devil an Ass i. i, Some good Ribibe, about Kentish Towne, Or Hogsden, you would hang now, for a witch. |
Hence † ribibe v., to play on the ribibe. Obs.
| 14.. in Rel. Ant. I. 81 The sow..harpyd Robyn-Howde; Tho fox fydylyd, tho ratton rybybyd. |