Webster's English Dictionary

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ribbon

1. rib.bon \'rib-*n\ \-.li-k\ n [ME riban, fr. MF riban, ruban] 1a: a flat 
   or tubular narrow closely woven fabric (as of silk or rayon) use d for 
   trimmings or knitting 1b: a narrow fabric used for tying packages  1c: a 
   piece of usu. multicolored ribbon worn as a military decoration or in  
   place of a medal 1d: a strip of colored satin given for winning a place in 
   a competition  2: a long narrow strip resembling a ribbon : as  2a: a board 
   framed into the studs to support the ceiling or floor joists  2b: a strip 
   of inked fabric (as in a typewriter)  pl  3: REINS  4: TATTER, SHRED - usu. 
   used in pl.  5: RIBBAND  - rib.bon.like aj
2. ribbon vt 1a: to adorn with ribbons  1b: to divide into ribbons  2: to 
   rip to shreds