rib

1. (anatomy) Any of a series of long curved bones occurring in 12 pairs in humans and other animals and extending from the spine to or toward the sternum.Examples: "On an early winter afternoon, clear but not cold, when the vegetable world was a weird multitude of skeletons through whose ribs the sun shone freely, a gleaming landau came to a pause on the crest of a hill in Wessex."

2. (by extension) A part or piece, similar to a rib, and serving to shape or support something.Examples: "a broken rib on the umbrella"broadly

3. (nautical) Any of several curved members attached to a ship's keel and extending upward and outward to form the framework of the hull.

4. (aeronautics) Any of several transverse pieces that provide an aircraft wing with shape and strength.

5. (architecture) A long, narrow, usually arched member projecting from the surface of a structure, especially such a member separating the webs of a vault

6. (knitting) A raised ridge in knitted material or in cloth.