Definition

Noun: 1. A person who rips, especially one who murders by cutting or stabbing violently: This is the primary definition, referring specifically to a type of violent criminal, most famously associated with the historical serial killer "Jack the Ripper." 2. A tool or machine used for ripping or tearing something: This is a secondary, less common meaning for a device designed to tear materials apart.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Person):
  • The police were searching for the ripper who terrorized the city.
  • The most famous ripper in history is known as Jack the Ripper.
• Noun (Tool):
  • The carpenter used a ripper to tear out the old floorboards. (Note: "ripper" as a tool is less common; terms like "crowbar" or "demolition tool" are often used instead.)

Advanced Usage

• "Jack the Ripper": This is a fixed historical reference to an unidentified serial killer active in London in 1888. The name itself has become synonymous with the archetype of a brutal, mysterious murderer.
  • Many books and films have been made about Jack the Ripper.

Variants and Related Words

• Rip (verb): To tear or pull something apart quickly or violently.
  • He ripped the paper in half.
• Ripping (adjective, informal/dated): Excellent, splendid.
  • We had a ripping time at the party.

Synonyms

• For the person (murderer): Slasher, killer, murderer.
• For the tool: Pry bar, wrecking bar, demolition tool.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Ripper" (Australian & British informal, dated): Something excellent or outstanding. This is a colloquial and largely dated usage.
  • That goal was an absolute ripper!

Noun

1. a murderer who slashes the victims with a knife
   • Jack the Ripper was probably a madman