Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ripple \Rip"ple\, n. [FRom {Rip}, v.]
   An implement, with teeth like those of a comb, for removing
   the seeds and seed vessels from flax, broom corn, etc.

Ripple \Rip"ple\, v. t.
   1. To remove the seeds from (the stalks of flax, etc.), by
      means of a ripple.

   2. Hence, to scratch or tear. --Holland.

Ripple \Rip"ple\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Rippled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Rippling}.] [Cf. {Rimple}, {Rumple}.]
   1. To become fretted or dimpled on the surface, as water when
      agitated or running over a rough bottom; to be covered
      with small waves or undulations, as a field of grain.

   2. To make a sound as of water running gently over a rough
      bottom, or the breaking of ripples on the shore.

Ripple \Rip"ple\, v. t.
   To fret or dimple, as the surface of running water; to cover
   with small waves or undulations; as, the breeze rippled the
   lake.

Ripple \Rip"ple\, n.
   1. The fretting or dimpling of the surface, as of running
      water; little curling waves.

   2. A little wave or undulation; a sound such as is made by
      little waves; as, a ripple of laughter.

   3. (physics) a small wave on the surface of water or other
      liquids for which the driving force is not gravity, but
      surface tension.

   4. (Electrical engineering) the residual AC component in the
      DC current output from a rectifier, expressed as a
      percentage of the steady component of the current.

   {Ripple grass}. (Bot.) See {Ribwort}.

   {Ripple marks}, a system of parallel ridges on sand, produced
      by wind, by the current of a steam, or by the agitation of
      wind waves; also (Geol.), a system of parallel ridges on
      the surface of a sandstone stratum.

Source : WordNet®

ripple
     n 1: a small wave on the surface of a liquid [syn: {rippling}, {riffle},
           {wavelet}]
     2: (electronics) an oscillation of small amplitude imposed on
        top of a steady value
     v 1: stir up (water) so as to form ripples [syn: {ruffle}, {riffle},
           {cockle}, {undulate}]
     2: flow in an irregular current with a bubbling noise;
        "babbling brooks" [syn: {babble}, {guggle}, {burble}, {bubble},
         {gurgle}]