R.
Ra.The sun-god with hawk head is a common object of Egyptian pottery and architectural ornament, subsequent to the Asiatic invasions. It typifies the union of the yellow Asiatic and the native Egyptian races.
Rabato, Sp. A neck-band or ruff. (SeeRebato.)
Rabbet(fromrebated). In Joinery a groove in the edge of a board.
Rabyte, O. E. (for Arabyte). An Arab horse.
Racana, Chr. A blanket of hair-cloth prescribed for the couches of monks, &c., in summer.
“Pro anisrachinispropter æstus utantur.”
“Pro anisrachinispropter æstus utantur.”
“Pro anisrachinispropter æstus utantur.”
“Pro anisrachinispropter æstus utantur.”
Rack, O. E. The last fleeting vestige of the highest clouds.
Racon, O. E. The pot-hook by which vessels are suspended over a fire. (SeeGalows.)
Radiant,Rayonée. Encircled with rays. (Fig.395.)
Radius, R. A pointed rod employed by certain professors of astronomy and mathematics for tracing figures on the sand. Also the spoke of a wheel, a ray of light, and lastly, a stake used in constructing intrenchments (valla).
Radula, R. A scraper, an iron tool used for paring or scratching off.
Raffaelle-ware.A fine kind of Urbino majolica, the designs for which were probably furnished by pupils of the great master.
Rag.In Masonry, stone that breaks in jagged pieces.
Ragged Staff, Her. (SeeRagulée.)
Ragman’sorRageman’s Roll, O. E. (1) In History, a roll of the nobles of Scotland, who swore fealty to Edward I. at Berwick, in 1296; hence (2) a game of chance, in which a number of versified descriptions of character were drawn from a roll by the members of a company; 13th to 15th century. The game survives among children of the present age in the custom of drawingTwelfth-Nightcharacters.
Ragstone.A rough kind of sandstone found in Kent.
Fig. 572. Ragulée.
Fig. 572. Ragulée.
Fig. 572. Ragulée.
Fig. 573. Bear and Ragged Staff.
Fig. 573. Bear and Ragged Staff.
Fig. 573. Bear and Ragged Staff.
Ragulée,Raguly, Her. Serrated. A “ragged staff,” or “staffragulée,” is a part of a stem from which the branches have been cut off roughly. The illustration is the well-known device of the Earls of Warwick, originating with Arthgal, one of the Knights of the Round Table; because, says Leland, “this Arthgal took a bere in his arms, for that, in Britisch, soundeth a bere in Englisch.” (Fig.573.)
Rahal, Arabic. A load for a camel; about 5 cwt.
Rains, orRaynes,Cloths(A. D.1327–1434, &c.). Fine linen woven atRennesin Brittany.
Rajeta, Sp. A coarse cloth of mixed colours.
Rallum, R. A piece of iron on the end of a stick, used to scrape off earth from the plough-share.
Fig. 574. Assyrian Battering-ram.
Fig. 574. Assyrian Battering-ram.
Fig. 574. Assyrian Battering-ram.
Ram, in Christian iconography, is a symbol not fully explained. It was probably connected with the idea of a manfulfightwith the powers of evil. Two rams face to face with a cross between them are a frequent symbol. (ConsultMartigny,Dict. des Antiq. Chrét.s. v. Belier.)
Ram, O. E. for rain. (Shakspeare.)
RamorBattering-ram. (SeeAries.) The illustration (Fig.574) is from the Assyrian sculptures, showing the invention of thetestudoto be of great antiquity.
Ramadhan.The ninth month of the Arabian calendar, and the Mohammedan month of fasting; it is followed by the festival of theLittle Bairam.
Ramalia, R. (ramus, a ram) Roman festivals instituted in honour of Ariadne and Bacchus.
Ramillete, Sp. A nosegay; a pyramid of sweetmeats and fruits.
Fig. 575. Lion Rampant.
Fig. 575. Lion Rampant.
Fig. 575. Lion Rampant.
Fig. 576. Demi-lion Rampant.
Fig. 576. Demi-lion Rampant.
Fig. 576. Demi-lion Rampant.
Rampant, Her. Erect, one hind paw on the ground, the other three paws elevated; the animal looking forward, and having his tail elevated.
Rampant guardant, Her. The same as rampant, but looking out of the shield.
Rampant reguardant, Her. The same as rampant, but looking backwards.
Ranseur, Fr. A sort of partisan in use in the time of Edward IV., having a broad long blade in the centre, and projecting shorter blades on each side.
Rantle-tree, Scotch. (1) The beam in the chimney from which the crook is suspended, when there is no grate (Angl.Galows. See alsoReeking-hook). (2) A tree chosen with two branches, which are cut short, and left in the shape of a Y, built into the gable of a cottage to support one end of the roof-tree.
Rapier, introduced from Spain in the 16th century, remained the favourite weapon of gentlemen. It is a light sword with a narrow blade adapted only for thrusting. It used to be called atuck.
Rapier-dance.A theatrical dance still practised in Yorkshire, consisting of evolutions of the dancers with naked rapiers round a performer who kneels in the centre and finally simulates death. (CompareSword-dance.)
Raploch, Scotch. Coarse undyed woollen cloth.
Rareca.Peruvian aqueducts; distinct from the subterranean aqueducts calledHuircasorPinchas(q.v.).
Rash.“A species of inferior silk, or silk and stuff manufacture.” (Nares.)
Raster,Rastrum, R. (rado, to scrape). A rake.
Rat.In Chinese symbolism, the month of November. (SeeTchy Periods.)
Rath, Celtic. An ancient fortress or castle of the Irish chiefs, consisting of a circular intrenched enclosure, with buildings in the centre.
Rational, Heb. A square piece of richly embroidered cloth worn by the Jewish high priest upon the breast, above the ephod.
Ratis, R. A raft of strong beams or planks; and thence a flat boat, a bridge of boats, &c.
Raunle-tree.Scotch; forRantle-tree(q.v.).
Raven, the ensign of the ancient Danes, was the bird of Odin. In Christian art, the emblem of Divine Providence (in allusion to the history of Elisha); attribute of certain saints, especially of ascetics. (SeeCrow.)
Ray, Chr. The fish (rina diaudan) which was burned by Tobias (vii. 2, 3), and the eggs of which are still burnt for intermittent fevers among the Greeks. (Harris, 408.)
Ray, O. E. (i. e.rayed). Striped cloth much worn in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Raynes, O. E. (from Rennes in Brittany). Fine linen.
“Cloth of raynes to sleep on soft.” (Chaucer.)
“Cloth of raynes to sleep on soft.” (Chaucer.)
“Cloth of raynes to sleep on soft.” (Chaucer.)
“Cloth of raynes to sleep on soft.” (Chaucer.)
Rayonnée, Her. (SeeRadiant.)
Real(Eng.Royal). A Spanish coin. There are two kinds: areal of plate, worth 4¾d., and areal of vellon, worth 2½d.(Cf.Rial.)
Realgar.A red pigment, formed of arsenic in combination with sulphur. A fugitive andcorrosivepigment. (SeeMerimée,De la Peinture à l’huile, p. 124.)
Realism,Realistic, in Art. (SeeIdealandReal.)
Rebated.Turned back, as the head of aMorneor jousting-lance.
Rebato, Sp. The turn-down collar of the 15th and 16th centuries.
Rebec, Sp. A musical instrument of three strings, tuned in fifths, and played with a bow like a fiddle. It was originally introduced into Spain by the Moors.
Rebiting.A process of renewing the lines of a worn-out plate, by etching them over again; a difficult and delicate operation, which is rarely performed with entire success.
Fig. 577. Rebus (Prior Bolton). The Bolt and Tun.
Fig. 577. Rebus (Prior Bolton). The Bolt and Tun.
Fig. 577. Rebus (Prior Bolton). The Bolt and Tun.
Rebus, Her. An allusive charge or device. Atonortunpierced by a bird-bolt is in the church of Great St. Bartholomew, of which Prior Bolton was the last prior.
“Prior BoltonWith his bolt and tun.”(Ben Jonson.)
“Prior BoltonWith his bolt and tun.”(Ben Jonson.)
“Prior BoltonWith his bolt and tun.”(Ben Jonson.)
“Prior Bolton
With his bolt and tun.”
(Ben Jonson.)
Recamo, Sp. Embroidery of raised work.
Recel, Sp. A kind of striped tapestry.
Receptorium, R. (recepto, to receive). A kind of parlour, also calledsalutatorium, which generally adjoined the ancient basilicas.
Fig. 578. CrossRecercelée.
Fig. 578. CrossRecercelée.
Fig. 578. CrossRecercelée.
Recercelée, Her. A variety of the heraldic cross.
Recheat, O. E. A sound on the horn to call dogs away from the chase.
Recinctus.Equivalent in meaning toDiscinctus(q.v.).