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.
ripening n 1: coming to full development; becoming mature [syn: {maturation}, {maturement}] 2: acquiring desirable qualities by being left undisturbed for some time [syn: {aging}, {ageing}]