ring1
n.
- a small circular band, typically of precious metal, worn on a finger as an ornament or as a token of marriage, engagement, or authority.
- a circular band, article, or mark.
▸a thin band of rock and ice particles round a planet.
▸chiefly Brit. a flat circular heating device forming part of a gas or electric hob.
▸Archaeology a circular prehistoric earthwork, typically consisting of a bank and ditch.
- an enclosed space in which a sport, performance, or show takes place.
- a circle of people or things.
▸a group of people engaged in a shared enterprise, especially one involving illegal activity:
a drug ring.
- Chemistry a number of atoms bonded together to form a closed loop in a molecule.
- Mathematics a set of elements with two binary operations, addition and multiplication, the second being distributive over the first and associative.
v.
- surround.
▸chiefly Brit. draw a circle round.
- Brit. Ornithology put an identifying strip around the leg of (a bird).
- put a circular band through the nose of (a bull, pig, etc.) to lead or control it.
- informal fraudulently change the identity of (a motor vehicle).
Phrase
- hold the ring
monitor a dispute or conflict without becoming involved. - run
(or make)
rings round
(or around)
informal outclass or outwit (someone) easily.
Derivative
- ringed adj.
- ringless adj.
Etymology
OE hring, of Gmc origin; rel. to rank1.
ring2
v.
(past rang; past part. rung)
- make or cause to make a clear resonant or vibrating sound.
▸(of a telephone) ring repeatedly to signal an incoming call.
▸call for attention by sounding a bell.
▸
(often ring with)
reverberate with a sound.
▸(of the ears) be filled with a buzzing or humming sound due to a blow or loud noise.
▸
(ring something up)
record an amount on a cash register.
- Brit. call by telephone.
▸
(ring off)
end a telephone call by replacing the receiver.
- sound (the hour, a peal, etc.) on a bell or bells.
▸
(ring someone/thing in or out)
usher someone or something in (or out) by or as if by ringing a bell.
-
(ring with)
be filled with (a quality).
▸convey a specified impression or quality:
the author's honesty rings true.
n.
- an act of ringing.
▸a loud clear sound or tone.
- Brit. informal a telephone call.
- a quality conveyed by something heard:
the tale had a ring of truth.
- a set of bells, especially church bells.
Phrase
- ring down
(or up)
the curtain
- lower (or raise) a theatre curtain.
- mark the end (or beginning) of something.
Etymology
OE hringan, of Gmc origin, perh. imitative.