RIP
WordNet
noun
(1) The act of rending or ripping or splitting something
"He gave the envelope a vigorous rip"
(2) A stretch of turbulent water in a river or the sea caused by one current flowing into or across another current
(3) An opening made forcibly as by pulling apart
"There was a rip in his pants"
"She had snags in her stockings"
(4) A dissolute man in fashionable society
verb
(5) Criticize or abuse strongly and violently
"The candidate ripped into his opponent mercilessly"
(6) Tear or be torn violently
"The curtain ripped from top to bottom"
"Pull the cooked chicken into strips"
(7) Cut (wood) along the grain
(8) Move precipitously or violently
"The tornado ripped along the coast"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From the phrase requiescat in pace ‘may he/she rest in peace’, reinforced by the identically abbreviated English translation.
RIP or R.I.P.
- Rest in peace. Typically found on tombstones.
Usage notes
- The phrase is never used in reference to sleep / a night’s rest; it refers the speaker’s wish that a deceased person is at peace. It is often used in memorials to deceased persons and found on tombstones.
- The stereotypical representation of a grave (e.g. in Halloween decorations, cartoons, etc) is a tuft of land with an upright tombstone with RIP engraved on it.