Ripe

a. [compar. RIPER; superl. RIPEST.] [A-S. ripe, O. Sax. rīpi, L. Ger. riep, D. rijp, O. H. Ger. rīf, N. H. Ger. reif, allied to A-S. rīp, harvest, rīpan, to reap.] 1. Ready for reaping; having attained perfection; mature; — said of that which grows and is employed for food; as, ripe grain. So mayst thou live till like ripe fruit thou drop Into thy mother's lap. Milton.

2. Advanced to the state of fitness for use; as, ripe cheese; ripe wine.
3. Having attained its utmost development; matured; as, a ripe tumor or abscess.
4. Hence, characterized by completeness or finish; consummate; perfected.

He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one. Shak. 5. Ready for action or effect; prepared. While things were just ripe for a war, the cantons . . . interposed as umpires. Addison. I am not ripe to pass sentence on the gravest public bodies. Burke. 6. Resembling ripened fruit in ruddiness and plumpness. “Those happiest smiles, That played on her ripe lip.” Shak. Syn. — Mature; mellow; complete; finished. See MATURE.