ribbon (redirected from cut the ribbon)

ribbon, relatively narrow width of woven fabric edged with selvage. Ribbons have been used for centuries as girdles, headdresses, and badges and for ornamentation. At first called ribbands, they were narrow strips of cloth which were attached to a garment to form borders. The modern ribbon with two selvages was known after 1500; at first it was reserved for the wealthy. In the 17th cent. ribbons were highly fashionable and were used profusely on every part of the costume. The blue and red ribbons, which have since become awards of merit, at first indicated the Orders of the Garter and the Bath, respectively, in England. The French Legion of Honor is symbolized by a watered red ribbon and a medal.

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ribbon

a long thin flexible band of metal used as a graduated measure, spring, etc.

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ribbon [′rib·ən]

(building construction)

A horizontal piece of wood nailed to the face of studs; usually used to support the floor joists.

(graphic arts)

A narrow band of inked fabric in a typewriter or other printing machine with which type is printed by striking keys against it.

(mathematics)

The plane figure generated by a straight line which moves so that it is always perpendicular to the path traced by its middle point.

(petrology)

One of a set of parallel bands in a rock or mineral.