Dictionary

rivel en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /ˈɹɪvəl/ (UK)

Etymology

From Middle English rivelen, from Old English rifelan, riflian (“to wrinkle”), from a frequentative form of Proto-Germanic *ribjōną (“to wrap; wind; roll; twist; coil”), equivalent to rive + -el (frequentative suffix). Related to Old Norse rifja (“to rake (hay) into rows or furrows”).

Meanings

1. (obsolete) A wrinkle; a rimple.
   • It wanteth the due parching and ripening against the sunne: and by that meanes commeth short of the rivels and blacknesse that the outlandish pepper hath. 1601, C[aius] Plinius Secundus [i.e., Pliny the Elder], “[Book XII.]”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Historie of the World. Commonly Called, The Naturall Historie of C. Plinius Secundus. […], (please specify |tome=1 or 2), London: […] Adam Islip, →OCLC:

Forms

rivel en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /ˈɹɪvəl/ (UK)

Etymology

From Middle English rivelen, from Old English rifelan, riflian (“to wrinkle”), from a frequentative form of Proto-Germanic *ribjōną (“to wrap; wind; roll; twist; coil”), equivalent to rive + -el (frequentative suffix). Related to Old Norse rifja (“to rake (hay) into rows or furrows”).

Meanings

1. (intransitive) To shrivel, wrinkle (up).
2. (transitive) To cause to be wrinkled, to shrivel.
   • they crucify the soul of man, attenuate our bodies, dry them, wither them, rivel them up like old apples, make them as so many anatomies […] , New York Review of Books, 2001, p.279

Forms

rivel en · NOUN · etymology 2

Etymology

Probably from (Pennsylvania German, from) Palatine Rhine Franconian Riwwel, Ribbel, Riebel (compare Volga German Rievel, Ribel, Riebel).

Meanings

1. (US) A kind of small dumpling made from egg and wheat flour, often eaten in soup, especially among the Pennsylvania Dutch and other Germans.

Forms