ribby

¹

[ rib-ee ]

adjective

, rib·bi·er, rib·bi·est.

1. having prominent ribs: rib:

   a ribby fabric.

ribby

²

[ rib-ee ]

noun

, Baseball Slang.

, plural rib·bies.

1. a run batted in.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ribby¹

First recorded in 1840–50; rib ¹ + -y ¹

Origin of ribby²

Formation based on the abbreviation RBI; -y ²

Example Sentences

Ribby is a homage to an ecologically precarious subspecies of rainbow trout that spawns in the Spokane River.

From New York Times

Soon the field was empty, except for Ribby the Redband Trout, whom I watched toddle in wide, pointless circles near third base — not fully performing anymore, but not exactly taking a break.

From New York Times

The fish tottered in from left field, anthropomorphically upright, then planted his feet to perform his signature dance: a quick, perfectly perpendicular vibration of the torso, executed with uncanny evenness and precision, as though there were not a human inside the Ribby suit but a pneumatic paint-can shaker from the local hardware store.

From New York Times

“Hope you enjoyed Ribby!” the Indians P.R. officer texted me proudly once the euphoria had passed.

From New York Times

It can take a little imagination to see the feline features in catshead’s bulbous, ribby shape, but as with others named in the same spirit – dog’s nose, sheep’s nose and duck’s bill, to mention just three – the characteristics are there if you look for them, if you squint a little.

From The Guardian