riff









riff


noun

  1. a melodic phrase, often constantly repeated, forming an accompaniment or part of an accompaniment for a soloist.

verb (used without object)

  1. to perform riffs.

verb (used with object) Informal.

  1. rif.

noun, plural Riffs, Riff·i [rif-ee] /ˈrɪf i/, (especially collectively) Riff.

  1. a member of the Berber people living in Er Rif in northern Morocco.
  2. Er Rif.

verb (used with object), riffed, rif·fing. Informal.

  1. to discharge (a person) from military or civil service, especially as part of an economy program.

noun

  1. Er [er] /ɛr/, a mountainous coastal region in N Morocco.

noun

  1. (in jazz or rock music) a short series of chords

verb

  1. (intr) to play or perform riffs in jazz or rock music
  2. informal to speak amusingly or make (amusing comments or remarks)

noun

  1. plural Rifs, Riffs, Rifis, Rif, Riff or Rifi a member of a Berber people, inhabiting the Atlas Mountains in Morocco
  2. Also called: Rifian, Riffian (ˈrɪfɪən) the dialect of Berber spoken by this people
  3. See Er Rif
n.

“melodic phrase in jazz,” 1935 (but said to have been used by musicians since c.1917), of uncertain origin, perhaps a shortened form of riffle, or altered from refrain. The verb is attested from 1942, from the noun. Also in extended use. Related: Riffed; riffing.

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