1. A cartridge containing an explosive charge but no bullet; SYN. dummy, blank shell.
2. A piece of material ready to be made into something.
3. A substitute for a taboo word.
ETYM French, from river to rivet; perh. from Icel. rifa to fasten together. Related to Reef part of a sail.
Having a head at one end and the other end being hammered flat after being passed through holes in the pieces that are fastened together.