Ribbon

n. [O. Eng. riban, Fr. ruban, O. Fr. rubent, originally a red ribbon, from Lat. rubens, rubentis, red, p. pr. of rubere, to be red, from ruber, red.] [Written also riband, ribband.]

1. A fillet of fine cloth, commonly of silk or satin; a narrow web of silk used for an ornament, as a badge, or for fastening some part of female dress.
2. A narrow strip or shred; as, sails torn to ribbons.
3. (Naut.) The same as RIB-BAND, q. v.
4. (pl.) The reins, or lines, by which a horse is guided and held. [Cant. or colloq.]
5. (Her.) A bearing having the same position as the bend, but only one eighth as wide, and not extending to the edge of the escutcheon at either end.

The terms blue ribbon and red ribbon are sometimes used to designate the order of the Garter and the order of the Bath respectively, or the honor of belonging to these orders; the badge of the former being suspended by a blue ribbon, and that of the latter by a red ribbon. The Garter is the highest order in English knighthood, and the order of the Bath next to it in rank. Hence, on the turf and at competitive exhibitions, the blue ribbon is often employed as the badge of the highest degree of excellence, and the red ribbon as the badge of the next or second degree. Stars, garters, and blue ribbons seem to me poor things for great men to contend for. E. Everett.