early 15c., "to crease;" 1660s, "to present a ruffled surface," of unknown origin, perhaps a frequentative of rip (v.). Transitive sense "cause to ripple" is from 1786. Related: Rippled; rippling.
ripple (n.)
"very small wave," 1798, from earlier meaning "stretch of shallow, rippling water" (1755), from ripple (v.). Meaning "mark or movement suggestive of a ripple" is from 1843. Meaning "ice cream streaked with colored syrup" first attested 1939, so called from its appearance. As the name of a brand of inexpensive wine sold by E&J Gallo Winery, from 1960 to 1984. Ripple effect is from 1950.
实用例句
1. The air was so still that there was hardly a ripple on the pond's surface.
没有风，池塘的水面上几乎看不到波纹。
来自《权威词典》
2. His resignation will have a ripple effect on the whole department.
他的辞职将会在整个部门中引起连锁反应。
来自《权威词典》
3. I heard the ripple of the stream.
我听到了小溪的潺潺声.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. Delayed flights have a ripple effect. Just one late flight could be carrying passengers for a dozen connecting services.
航班晚点会引发连锁反应。仅仅一趟晚点的航班就可能运载着许多需要转机的乘客。
来自柯林斯例句
5. There was a ripple of mirth, which the court checked.
