Main Entry:

rip·en

Pronunciation:

\ˈrī-pən, ˈrī-p^əm\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

rip·ened; rip·en·ing \ˈrī-pə-niŋ, ˈrīp-niŋ\

Date:

1561

intransitive verb: to grow or become ripetransitive verb1: to make ripe2 a: to bring to completeness or perfection b: to age or cure (cheese) to develop characteristic flavor, odor, body, texture, and color c: to improve flavor and tenderness of (beef or game) by aging under refrigeration

— rip·en·er \ˈrī-pə-nər, ˈrīp-nər\ noun