Definition of "ripple" []

• To form or display little undulations or waves on the surface, as disturbed water does. (verb-intransitive)
• To flow with such undulations or waves on the surface. (verb-intransitive)
• To rise and fall gently in tone or volume. (verb-intransitive)
• To cause to form small waves or undulations. (verb-transitive)
• A small wave. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "_Wash, wash, ripple, ripple_ went the water, and the cries whispered away as fading echoes, and then Pete's voice rose in a piteous wail."
• "Economists say the Japan quake and the ensuing tsunami are likely to have longer term ripple effects around the world, disrupting auto imports and technology products from Japan."
• "The police have their hands tied and anything they do that looks it may cause any sort of ripple is jumped on."