ribibe

noun

1. (historical)A kind of stringed instrument; a rebec or an instrument similar to it.

   “Well, my friend, and where is your ribibe, or such like instrument, belonging to a minstrel?”

   “"The tones of lutes and ribibes [translating German Ribeben] I have right masterly and fine As ordered by imperial might.”

   “The tone of the rubebe was similar to that of the lower register of the modern viola. As it possessed but two strings, however, its range was necessarily limited.”

   “The Rybybe is well portrayed among the Norman carvings of the twelfth century which adorn the south doorway of Barfreston Church in Kent (Plate XV).”

   “Over the high-altar at Gloucester the bosses, which are foliated in the rest of the choir, represent angel-musicians, whose varied orchestra would have out-rivalled that of Nebuchadnezzar the King; harp, hutchet and psaltery; lute, clarion, shawm; bag-pipe, ribibe, gittern; bozine, symphony, cymbals; organ, tabor and timbrel, the very names ring in one's ears like the stately cadences of celestial music.”

2. (derogatory, obsolete)An old woman.
3. (obsolete)A bawd; a prostitute.

   “Or some good ribibe about Kentish Town or Hogsden, you would hang now for a witch”