ribbenkast

Dutch

Alternative forms

• ribbenkas (dated)

Etymology

Compound of rib (“rib”) +‎ -en- +‎ kast (“case, close”). Cf. similar constructions in English rib cage, German Rippenkorb.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈrɪ.bə(n)ˌkɑst/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: rib‧ben‧kast

Noun

ribbenkast f (plural ribbenkasten, diminutive ribbenkastje n)

1. rib cage [from ca. 1840]

   De hongerstakers waren zo mager dat je de ribben onder de douche door hun ribbenkast kon tellen.

   The hunger strikers were so skinny one could count their ribs in the showers through their rib cages.

Synonyms

• borstkas