Used as an ornament to decorate the fingers, arms, wrists, and also the ears and the nose. Rings were used as a signet (Genesis 38:18). They were given as a token of investment with authority (Genesis 41:42; Esther 3:8-10; 8:2), and of favour and dignity (Luke 15:22). They were generally worn by rich men (James 2:2). They are mentioned by Isiah (3:21) among the adornments of Hebrew women.

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (v. t.) To cause to sound, especially by striking, as a metallic body; as, to ring a bell.

2. (v. t.) To make (a sound), as by ringing a bell; to sound.

3. (v. t.) To repeat often, loudly, or earnestly.

4. (v. i.) To sound, as a bell or other sonorous body, particularly a metallic one.

5. (v. i.) To practice making music with bells.

6. (v. i.) To sound loud; to resound; to be filled with a ringing or reverberating sound.

7. (v. i.) To continue to sound or vibrate; to resound.

8. (v. i.) To be filled with report or talk; as, the whole town rings with his fame.

9. (n.) A sound; especially, the sound of vibrating metals; as, the ring of a bell.

10. (n.) Any loud sound; the sound of numerous voices; a sound continued, repeated, or reverberated.

11. (n.) A chime, or set of bells harmonically tuned.

12. (n.) A circle, or a circular line, or anything in the form of a circular line or hoop.

13. (n.) Specifically, a circular ornament of gold or other precious material worn on the finger, or attached to the ear, the nose, or some other part of the person; as, a wedding ring.

14. (n.) A circular area in which races are or run or other sports are performed; an arena.

15. (n.) An enclosed space in which pugilists fight; hence, figuratively, prize fighting.

16. (n.) A circular group of persons.

17. (n.) The plane figure included between the circumferences of two concentric circles.

18. (n.) The solid generated by the revolution of a circle, or other figure, about an exterior straight line (as an axis) lying in the same plane as the circle or other figure.

19. (n.) An instrument, formerly used for taking the sun's altitude, consisting of a brass ring suspended by a swivel, with a hole at one side through which a solar ray entering indicated the altitude on the graduated inner surface opposite.

20. (n.) An elastic band partly or wholly encircling the spore cases of ferns.

21. (n.) A clique; an exclusive combination of persons for a selfish purpose, as to control the market, distribute offices, obtain contracts, etc.

22. (v. t.) To surround with a ring, or as with a ring; to encircle.

23. (v. t.) To make a ring around by cutting away the bark; to girdle; as, to ring branches or roots.

24. (v. t.) To fit with a ring or with rings, as the fingers, or a swine's snout.

25. (v. i.) To rise in the air spirally.