ribald ******************************************************************************** A. n. {dag}1. One of an irregular class of retainers who performed the lowest offices in royal or baronial households, especially in France during the 14th and 15th centuries, and were employed in warfare as irregular troops; hence, a menial or dependent of low birth. Obs. {dag}b. king of the ribalds, an officer of the royal household of France, who had jurisdiction over crimes committed within it, vagrants resorting to it, and all brothels and gaming-houses about the court. Hence used allusively. Obs. {dag}2. A low, base, worthless, or good-for-nothing fellow; a varlet, knave, rascal, vagabond. Obs. {dag}3. A person of abandoned character; a wicked, dissolute, or licentious person. Obs. {dag}b. [F. ribaude fem.] A woman of loose character; a wanton. Obs. rare. 4. One who uses offensive, scurrilous, or impious language; one who jests or jeers in an irreverent or blasphemous manner. In early examples only a contextual sense. B. adj. Offensively abusive, scurrilous, wantonly irreverent or impious. a. Of persons (and birds). b. Of speech, writing, or conduct.