First Known Use: 12th century
Dictionary
rife
adjective \ˈrīf\
: very common and often bad or unpleasant
Full Definition of RIFE
1
: prevalent especially to an increasing degree <suspicion and cruelty were rife — W. E. B. DuBois>
3
: copiously supplied : abounding —usually used with with <rife with rumors>
— rife adverb
— rife·ly adverb
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Origin of RIFE
Middle English ryfe, from Old English rȳfe; akin to Old Norse rīfr abundant
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