Ripen \Rip"en\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Ripened};p. pr. & vb. n. {Ripening}.] 1. To grow ripe; to become mature, as grain, fruit, flowers, and the like; as, grapes ripen in the sun. 2. To approach or come to perfection.
ripened adj : of wines, fruit, cheeses; having reached a desired or final condition; (`aged' pronounced as one syllable); "mature well-aged cheeses" [syn: {aged}]