Definition of ripped

The word "ripped" has undergone significant changes in its meaning and usage over the centuries. Initially, "ripped" was a verb that meant "to rend" or "to tear" something apart, often violently. This sense of the word can be traced back to the 14th century and is derived from the Old English word "rīper" or "rīpend" meaning "to rend" or "to divide". In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, "ripped" took on a new meaning in the context of textiles, particularly in the manufacturing process of woven fabrics. A "ripped" fabric was one that had been torn or cut away from the rest of the material, often intentionally for reuse or resale. In modern times, "ripped" has evolved to describe a physical attribute, referring to a well-defined or muscular physique, particularly in the context of bodybuilding and fitness culture.