Quight, kwīt,adv.a misspelt form ofquite.
Qui-hi,-hye, kwī′hī′,n.in Bengal, the Anglo-Indian call for a servant: (coll.) an Anglo-Indian in Bengal. [Hind.koī hai, 'who is there?']
Quill, kwil,n.a fold of a plaited or fluted ruff.—v.t.to flute: form with rounded ridges.—adj.Quilled, crimped, fluted.—n.Quill′ing, a narrow bordering of plaited lace or ribbon. [Fr.quille, a keel.]
Quill, kwil,n.a reed-pen: the feather of a goose or other bird used as a pen, hence a pen generally: the profession of letters: anything like a quill: the hollow basal stem of a feather: one of the large hollow sharp spines (modified hairs) of the hedgehog, porcupine, &c.: the reed on which weavers wind their thread: the instrument for striking the strings of certain instruments: the tube of a musical instrument: the hollow shaft or mandril of the seal-engraver's lathe: a train for igniting a blast: bark in a cylindrical roll.—v.t.to plait with small ridges like quills: to wind on a quill: to pluck out quills from.—ns.Quill′-driv′er(slang), one who works with a quill or pen, a clerk;Quill′-driv′ing, writing.—adj.Quilled, furnished with quills, or formed into a quill.—ns.Quill′-nib, a quill-pen shortened for use with a holder;Quill′-turn, the machine in which a weaver's quill is turned;Quill′-work, embroidery with porcupine quills, done by the North American Indians;Quill′-wort, any plant of the genus Isoëtes, esp.Isoëtes lacustris.—In the quill(Shak.), perhaps=penned, though others interpret 'in form and order like a quilled ruff.' [Explained by Skeat as orig. a stalk, hence anything pointed, O. Fr.quille, a peg—Old High Ger.kegilorchegil(Ger.kegel), a cone-shaped object, ninepin.]
Quillet, kwil′et,n.a trick in argument: a petty quibble. [L.quidlibet, 'what you will.']
Quillet, kwil′et,n.(prov.) a furrow: a small croft.
Quillon, kē-lyong′,n.one of the branches of the cross-guard of a sword.
Quilt, kwilt,n.a bed-cover of two cloths sewed together with something soft between them: a thick coverlet.—v.t.to make into a quilt: to stitch together with something soft between, to stitch in: to sew like a quilt.—adj.Quilt′ed, stitched together as a quilt: (Spens.) padded.—ns.Quilt′er, a person or machine for making quilting;Quilt′ing, the act of making a quilt: that which is quilted: a cotton or linen cloth, like diaper, with raised pattern, for vests, &c.: a kind of coating formed of sinnet, strands of rope, &c., outside any vessel containing water: a thrashing with a rope's end;Quilt′ing-bee, in New England, a gathering of women to help one in quilting a counterpane, followed by a supper to which men are admitted;Quilt′ing-cott′on, cotton-wadding;Quilt′ing-frame, an adjustable frame for holding a fabric for quilting. [O. Fr.cuilte(Fr.couette)—L.culcita, a cushion.]
Quin, kwin,n.(prov.) a kind of scallop.
Quinarian, kwī-nā′ri-an,adj.classified in sets of five: (zool.) relating to the circular or so-called natural system of classification, propounded in 1819 and much elaborated by Swainson in 1835—alsoQuī′nary.—n.one who supports this theory. [L.quinarius—quini, five each—quinque, five.]
Quinate, kwī′nāt,adj.(bot.) having five leaflets on a petiole. [L.quini, five each.]
Quince, kwins,n.the golden, globose or pear-shaped, fragrant fruit of a large shrub or small tree (Pyrus Cydonia) of the rose family, too austere to be eaten raw, but excellent for jellies, marmalade, and flavouring other fruits. [Pl. ofquine—O. Fr.coin(Fr.coing)—L.cydonium—Gr.Cydōnia, in Crete.]
Quincentenary, kwin-sen′te-nā-ri,adj.relating to five hundred, especially five hundred years.—n.a five hundredth anniversary.
Quinch, kwinsh,v.t.(Spens.). Same asQuitch,v.t.
Quincunx.
Quincunx, kwin′kungks,n.an arrangement of five things, so as to occupy each corner and the centre of a square, esp. of trees or plants.—adj.Quincun′cial.—adv.Quincun′cially. [L.quinque, five,uncia, a twelfth part, an ounce.]
Quindecemvir, kwin-dē-sem′vir,n.one of a college of fifteen men in ancient Rome who had the charge of the Sibylline books:—pl.Quindecem′viri.—ns.Quindec′agon, a plane figure with fifteen sides and angles;Quindecem′virate, the body of the quindecemviri or their office;Quindec′ima(mus.), the interval of a fifteenth, or double-octave. [L.,—quindecim, fifteen (quinque, five,decem, ten),vir, a man.]
Quinible, kwin′i-bl,n.(mus.) an interval of a fifth: a descant sung at the fifth. [L.quinque, five.]
Quinine, kwin′ēn, ki-nēn′, orkwī′nīn,n.a colourless, inodorous, and very bitter alkaloid, obtained from the bark of the Cinchona tree, its salts used for agues and fevers.—ns.Quī′na, the bark of various species of Cinchona;Quinam′ine, a natural white crystalline alkaloid obtained from various Cinchona barks;Quinaquī′na, the bark of various species of Cinchona.—adj.Quin′ic, pertaining to, or derived from, quinine.—ns.Quin′idine, a white crystalline compound, isomeric with quinine, found in some Cinchona barks;Quinol′ogy, the knowledge of quinine and other Cinchona alkaloids. [Fr.,—Sp. and Port.quinina—Peruv.quina,kina, bark.]
Quinisext, kwin′i-sekst,adj.pertaining to five and six, or to the fifth and sixth.
Quinnat, kwin′at,n.the king-salmon.
Quinoa, kē′no-a,n.a Chilian and Mexican food-plant, resembling some British species of chenopodium, cultivated for its farinaceous seeds. [Peruv.]
Quinoline, kwin′ō-lin,n.a pungent, colourless liquid obtained by the distillation of bones, coal-tar, and various alkaloids—the base of many organic bodies, isomeric with Leucol.—AlsoChin′oline. [Peruv.quina,kina, bark.]
Quinone, kwin′ōn,n.orBenzoquinone, a golden-yellow crystalline compound usually prepared by oxidising aniline with potassium bichromate and sulphuric acid: a general name applied to all benzene derivatives in which two oxygen atoms replace two hydrogen atoms.—AlsoKinone(kē′nōn),asKinic—Quinic.
Quinquagesima, kwin-kwa-jes′i-ma,n.a period of fifty days.—n.Quinquagenā′rian, one who is between fifty and sixty years old.—Quinquagesima Sunday, the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, being the fiftieth day before Easter. [L.quinquaginta, fifty—quinque, five.]
Quinquangular, kwin-kwang′gū-lar,adj.having five angles.—adjs.Quinquartic′ular, of five articles;Quinquecap′sular, having five capsules;Quinquecos′tāte,-dhaving five ribs;Quinqueden′tate,-d(bot.), five-toothed;Quinquefā′rious, disposed in five sets or rows;Quin′quefid, cleft into five segments;Quinquefō′liate,-d(bot.), having five leaves or leaflets;Quinquelit′eral, consisting of five letters;Quinquelō′bate, having five lobes;Quinqueloc′ular, having five loculi;Quinquepär′tite, five-parted;Quinquesep′tate, having five septa;Quinquesē′rial, arranged in five series;Quinquesyllab′ic, having five syllables;Quinquev′alent, having an equivalence of five;Quin′quevalve,Quinqueval′vular, having five valves.
Quinquenniad, kwin-kwen′i-ad,n.a period of five years—alsoQuinquenn′ium.—adj.Quinquenn′ial, occurring once in five years: lasting five years.—n.a fifth anniversary or its celebration.
Quinquereme, kwin′kwe-rēm,n.an ancient galley having five banks of oars. [L.,—quinque, five,remus, an oar.]
Quinquina, kin-kī′nä,n.quinaquina. [Quinine.]
Quinquino, kin′ki-nō,n.the tree (Myroxylon Pereiræ) which yields the balsam of Peru.
Quinsy, kwin′zi,n.an inflammatory affection of the substance of the tonsils, attended when fully developed by suppuration.—ns.Quin′sy-berr′y, the common black-currant;Quin′sy-wort, a small trailing British herb of the madder family. [O. Fr.squinancie(Fr.esquinancie)—Gr.kynanchē—kyōn, a dog,anchein, to throttle.]
Quint, kwint,n.a set or a sequence of five: (mus.) a fifth: the E string of a violin.—adj.Quint′an, recurring on every fifth day.—n.a malarial fever whose paroxysms recur on every fifth day. [Fr.,—L.quintus, fifth—quinque, five.]
Quinta, kwin′tä,n.a country house in Madeira. [Sp.]
Quintad, kwin′tad,n.the same asPentad.
Quintadena, kwin-ta-dē′na,n.in organ-building, a mutation stop yielding a tone one-twelfth above the digital struck.
Quintain, kwin′tān,n.a post with a turning and loaded top or cross-piece, to be tilted at.—AlsoQuin′tin. [Fr.,—L.quintana,quintus, fifth, the place of recreation in the Roman camp being between the fifth and sixth maniples.]
Quintal, kwin′tal,n.a hundredweight, either 112 or 100 pounds according to the scale.—TheQuintal métrique, the modern French quintal, is 100 kilograms=220 lb. avoirdupois. [Fr. and Sp.quintal—Ar.qintăr—L.centum, a hundred.]
Quintessence, kwin-tes′ens,n.the pure concentrated essence of anything, the most essential part of anything: the fifth essence, according to the Pythagoreans, beyond earth, water, fire, air.—adj.Quintessen′tial.—v.t.Quintessen′tialise. [Fr.,—L.quinta essentia, fifth essence, orig. applied to ether, supposed to be purer than fire, the highest of the four ancient elements.]
Quintet,Quintette, kwin-tet′,n.a musical composition for five voices or instruments: a company of five singers or players. [It.quintetto, dim. ofquinto, a fifth part—L.quintus, fifth—quinque, five.]
Quintic, kwin′tik,adj.of the fifth degree.
Quintile, kwin′til,n.the aspect of planets distant from each other the fifth part of the zodiac, or 72°.
Quintillion, kwin-til′yun,n.the fifth power of a million, or a unit followed by thirty ciphers: generally, in U.S., the sixth power of one thousand, or a unit followed by eighteen ciphers.
Quintole, kwin′tōl,n.a five-stringed viol common in France in the 18th century: a group of five notes to be played in the time of three, four, or six. [It.quinto—L.quintus, fifth.]
Quintroon, kwin-trōōn′,n.the offspring of a white by one who has one-sixteenth part of negro blood. [Sp.quinteron—L.quintus, fifth—quinque, five.]
Quintuple, kwin′tū-pl,adj.fivefold: (mus.) having five crotchets in a bar.—v.t.to make or to increase fivefold.—ns.Quin′tūplet, a set of five things: (pl.) five young at a birth: (mus.) same asQuintole;Quintū′plicāte, consisting of five: one of five exactly corresponding things.—v.t.to make or to increase a set of fivefold.—n.Quintuplicā′tion. [Fr.,—L.quintuplex—quintus, fifth,plicāre, to fold.]
Quinzaine, kwin′zān,n.the fifteenth day onward from a feast day, counting itself: a stanza of fifteen lines. [Fr.quinze, fifteen—L.quindecim—quinque, five,decem, ten.]
Quinze, kwinz,n.a card-game, like vingt-et-un, the object being to count as nearly to fifteen as possible without going above it.
Quip, kwip,n.a sharp, sarcastic turn, a gibe: a quick retort.—v.i.to use sarcasms.—v.t.to sneer at.—adj.Quip′pish. [W.chwip, a quick turn,chwipio, to move briskly.]
Quipu, kē′pōō, orkwip′ōō,n.the mnemonic language of coloured and knotted cords used by the Incas of ancient Peru—depending on order, colour, and kind.—AlsoQuip′o. [Peruv., 'a knot.']
Quire, kwīr,n.a collection of paper consisting of twenty-four sheets, the twentieth part of a ream, each having a single fold.—v.t.to fold in quires. [O. Fr.quaier(Fr.cahier), prob. from Low L.quaternum, a set of four sheets,—L.quatuor, four.]
Quire, kwīr,n.old form ofchoir.—n.Quī′rister, a chorister.
Quirinus, kwi-rī′nus,n.an Italic divinity identified with the deified Romulus.—n.Quirinā′lia, a festival in ancient Rome in honour ofQuirinus, on Feb. 17.
Quirites, kwi-rī′tez,n.pl.the citizens of ancient Rome in their civil capacity.
Quirk, kwėrk,n.a quick turn: an artful evasion: a quibble: a taunt or retort: a slight conceit: inclination, turn: fantastic phrase: (archit.) an acute angle or recess.—v.i.to turn sharply.—v.t.to twist or turn: to furnish with a quirk or channel.—adjs.Quirk′ish, consisting of quirks;Quirk′y, abounding in quirks. [Skeat explains as prob. for obs. Eng.quirt, to turn; from W.chwired, a piece of craft, fromchwiori, to turn briskly; cf. Gael.cuireid, a turn.]
Quirt, kwėrt,n.a riding-whip much used in the western states of North America.—v.t.to flog with a quirt. [Perh. Sp.cuerda, a rope.]
Quiscalus, kwis′ka-lus,n.a genus of birds, the American grackles or crow-blackbirds.
Quit, kwit,v.t.to pay, requite: to release from obligation, accusation, &c.: to acquit: to depart from: to give up: to clear by full performance: (Spens.) to remove by force: (coll.) to give over, cease:—pr.p.quit′ting;pa.t.andpa.p.quit′ted.—adj.(B.) set free: acquitted: released from obligation.—n.Quit′-claim, a deed of release.—v.t.to relinquish claim or title to.—n.Quit′-rent, a rent by which the tenants are discharged from all other services—in old records calledwhite rent, as being paid in silver money.—adj.Quit′table, capable of being quitted.—ns.Quit′tal(Shak.), requital, repayment;Quit′tance, a quitting or discharge from a debt or obligation: acquittance: recompense.—v.t.(obs.) to repay.—Quit cost, to pay expenses;Quit one's self(B.), to behave;Quit scores, to balance accounts.—Be quits, to be even with one;Cry quittance, to get even;Double or quits, in gambling, said when a stake due is either to become double or be reduced to nothing, according to the issue of a certain chance;Notice to quit(law), notice to a tenant of real property that he must surrender possession. [O. Fr.quiter(Fr.quitter)—Low L.quietāre, to pay—L.quietāre, to make quiet—quietus, quiet.]
Qui tam, kwī tam, an action on a penal statute, brought partly at the suit of the state and partly at that of an informer—from the first words. [L.qui, who,tam, as well.]
Quitch, kwich,n.couch-grass.—AlsoQuitch′-grass,Quick′ens. [Assibilated form ofquick.]
Quitch, kwich,v.i.(Spens.) to move. [A.S.cweccan, causative ofcwacian, to quake.]
Quite, kwīt (Spens.). Same asQuit.
Quite, kwīt,adv.completely: wholly: entirely.—Quite a little, a good few: considerable;Quite so, a phrase denoting assent in conversation. [Merely an adv. use of the adj.quit.]
Quitter, kwit′ėr,n.a fistulous sore on the quarters or the heel of the coronet of a horse's hoof.—v.i.to suppurate.
Quiver, kwiv′ėr,adj.(Shak.) nimble, active.
Quiver, kwiv′ėr,n.a case for arrows.—adj.Quiv′ered, furnished with a quiver: sheathed, as in a quiver. [O. Fr.cuivre; from Old High Ger.kohhar(Ger.köcher); cog. with A.S.cocer.]
Quiver, kwiv′ėr,v.i.to shake with slight and tremulous motion: to tremble: to shiver.—ns.Quiv′er,Quiv′ering, a tremulous motion, shiver.—adv.Quiv′eringly, with quivering.—adj.Quiv′erish, tremulous. [A.S.cwifer, seen in adv.cwiferlíce, eagerly. Cf.QuickandQuaver.]
Qui vive, kē vēv, Who goes there?—the challenge of French sentries to those who approach their posts.—Be on the qui vive, to be on the alert. [Fr.,—qui, who,vive, 3d pers. sing. pres. subj. ofvivre, to live—L.vivĕre.]
Quixotic, kwiks-ot′ik,adj.like DonQuixote, the knight-errant in the great romance of Cervantes (1547-1616), extravagantly romantic, aiming at an impossible ideal.—adv.Quixot′ically.—ns.Quix′otism,Quix′otry, absurdly romantic, impracticable, and magnanimous notions, schemes, or actions like those of Don Quixote.
Quiz, kwiz,n.a riddle or enigma: one who quizzes another: an odd fellow: a monocular eye-glass, often with a handle: (coll.) an oral examination of a pupil or class by a teacher.—v.t.to puzzle: to banter or make sport of: to examine narrowly and with an air of mockery.—v.i.to practise derisive joking:—pr.p.quiz′zing;pa.t.andpa.p.quizzed.—ns.Quiz′zer;Quiz′zery.—adj.Quiz′zical.—ns.Quizzical′ity;Quizzificā′tion.—v.t.Quiz′zify, to turn into a quiz.—ns.Quiz′ziness, oddness;Quiz′zing, raillery;Quiz′zing-glass, a single eye-glass. [Origin obscure; doubtless framed fromquestion, or direct from L.quæso, I ask.]
Quoad, kwō′ad,prep.as far as, to this extent.—Quoad hoc, as far as this;Quoad omnia, in respect of all things;Quoad sacra, as far as concerns sacred matters, as a parish disjoined for ecclesiastical purposes only. [L.]
Quod, kwod,n.(slang) prison.
Quodlibet, kwod′li-bet,n.a scholastic argument upon a subject chosen at will, almost invariably theological: a humorous fanciful combination of two or more familiar melodies.—n.Quodlibetā′rian, one given to quodlibets.—adjs.Quodlibet′ic,-al. [L., 'what you please'—quod, what,libet, it pleases.]
Quodlin, kwod′lin,n.(Bacon). Same asCodlin.
Quoif, koif,n.a cap or hood.—v.t.to cover or dress with a coif.
Quoin, koin,n.(archit.) a wedge used to support and steady a stone: an external angle, esp. of a building: (gun.) a wedge of wood or iron put under the breech of heavy guns or the muzzle of siege-mortars to raise them to the proper level: (print.) a wedge used to fasten the types in the forms.—v.t.to wedge or steady with quoins. [Coin.]
Quoit, koit,n.a heavy flat ring of iron for throwing as near as possible to onehobor pin from the other—18 to 21 yards apart—the points in the game counted as in bowls or curling: (pl.) the game played with such rings.—v.i.to throw quoits: to throw as with a quoit. [Perh. from O. Fr.coiter, to drive, which may be from L.coactāre—cogĕre, to force.]
Quondam, kwon′dam,adj.that was formerly: former. [L., formerly.]
Quoniam, kwō′ni-am,n.the part of the 'Gloria in Excelsis' beginning 'For Thou only art holy:' the musical setting thereof: (obs.) a kind of drinking-cup. [L., 'since now.']
Quook, kwook (Spens.),pa.t.ofquake.
Quop, kwop,v.i.to move: to throb, as the heart.—AlsoQuab,Quap.
Quorum, kwō′rum,n.a number of the members of any body sufficient to transact business. [The first word of a commission formerly issued to certain justices,of whom(L.quorum) a certain number had always to be present when the commission met.]
Quota, kwō′ta,n.the part or share assigned to each.—n.Quot′ity(Carlyle), the number of individuals in a collection. [It.,—L.quotus, of what number?—quot, how many?]
Quote, kwōt,v.t.to repeat the words of any one: to adduce for authority or illustration: to give the current price of: to enclose within quotation marks: (Shak.) to set down in writing.—v.i.to make a quotation.—adj.Quō′table, that may be quoted.—ns.Quō′tableness,Quōtabil′ity.—adv.Quō′tably.—ns.Quōtā′tion, act of quoting: that which is quoted: the current price of anything;Quōtā′tion-mark, one of the marks used to note the beginning and the end of a quotation—generally consisting of two inverted commas at the beginning, and two apostrophes at the end of a quotation; but a single comma and a single apostrophe are frequently used;Quō′ter. [O. Fr.quoter, to number—Low L.quotāre, to divide into chapters and verses—L.quotus, of what number?—quot, how many?]
Quoth, kwōth,v.t.say, says, or said—used only in the 1st and 3d persons present and past, and always followed by its subject.—interj.Quō′thä, forsooth, indeed. [A.S.cwethan, pa.t.cwæth, to say. Forquoth'a, said he—'abeing a corr. ofhe.]
Quotidian, kwō-tid′i-an,adj.every day: occurring daily.—n.anything returning daily: (med.) a kind of ague that returns daily. [Fr.,—L.quotidianus—quot, as many as,dies, a day.]
Quotient, kwō′shent,n.(math.) the number which shows how often one number is contained in another.—n.Quōtī′ety, the proportionate frequency of an event. [Fr.,—L.quotiens,quoties, how often?—quot, how many?]
Quotum, kwō′tum,n.quota: share: part or proportion. [L., neut. ofquotus; cf.Quota.]
Quo warranto, kwō wo-ran′to,n.(law) the title of a writ by which a person or corporate body is summoned to show by what warrant a particular franchise or office is claimed. [So called from these words in the writ. L.quo, by what (abl. sing. neut. ofquis, who, which, what),warranto, abl. of Low L.warrantum, warrant.]
R
the eighteenth letter in our alphabet, belonging to the class of liquids—the 'dog's letter' (littera canina), from the trilling or vibration of the tip of the tongue: as a medieval numeral=80;R=80,000.—The three R's, a humorous term for reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Ra, rä,n.the supreme sun-god of the Memphite system of ancient Egyptian mythology.
Rabanna, ra-ban′a,n.matting made from the fibre of the raffia, in Madagascar. [Malagasy.]
Rabat, ra-bä′,n.a neck-band with flaps worn by French ecclesiastics: a turned-down collar or ruff—(obs.)Rab′atine,Rabā′to. [Fr.]
Rabate, ra-bāt′,v.t.to beat down.—n.abatement. [Fr.rabattre, to beat down—re-, again,abattre—L.ad, to,batuĕre, to beat.]
Rabbet, rab′et,n.a groove cut in the edge of a plank so that another may fit into it.—v.t.to groove a plank thus.—ns.Rabb′eting-machine′,-plane,-saw, for ploughing and cutting grooves;Rabb′et-joint, a joint formed by fitting together timber with rabbets. [O. Fr.raboter, to plane—rabouter—re-, again,aboter,abouter, to thrust against.]
Rabbi, rab′i, or rab′ī,Rabbin,rab′in,n.Jewish title of a doctor or expounder of the law:—pl.Rabbis(rab′īz),Rabb′ins.—ns.Rabb′an('our master'), a title of greater honour than rabbi;Rabb′inate, the dignity of a rabbi.—adjs.Rabbin′ic,-al, pertaining to the rabbis or to their opinions, learning, and language.—n.Rabbin′ic, the later Hebrew.—adv.Rabbin′ically.—ns.Rabb′inism, the doctrine or teaching of the rabbis: a rabbinical peculiarity of expression: the late Jewish belief which esteemed the oral law equally with the written law of God;Rabb′inist,Rabb′inite, one who adheres to the Talmud and traditions of the rabbis;Rabbō′ni, my great master. [Gr.,—Heb.rabbí—rab, great, master—rābab, to be great. Cf. Ar.rabb, master, the Lord.]
Rabbit, rab′it,n.a small rodent burrowing animal of the hare family: a cony: any member of the hare family.—v.i.to hunt rabbits.—ns.Rabb′it-brush, a North American composite plant;Rabb′it-ear, a long slender oyster;Rabb′iter, one who hunts rabbits;Rabb′it-fish, the 'king of the herrings;'Rabb′it-hutch, a box for the rearing of rabbits;Rabb′it-moth, a moth in United States of a furry appearance;Rabb′it-mouth, harelip;Rabb′it-root, the wild sarsaparilla;Rabb′itry, a rabbit-warren;Rabb′it-squirr′el, a chincha, a South American rodent;Rabb′it-suck′er(Shak.), a sucking rabbit;Rabb′it-warr′en, a place where rabbits are kept and bred.—Snow-shoe rabbit, an American hare found in the Rocky Mountains which turns white in winter;Welsh rabbit, melted cheese with a little ale poured over a slice of hot toast—sometimes written 'Welsh rarebit' by wiseacres. [M. E.rabet, dim. of a form seen in Old Dut.robbe.]
Rabbit, rab′it,v.t.an interjectional expression, likeconfound. [Perh. a corr. ofrabate.]
Rabble, rab′l,n.a disorderly, noisy crowd: a mob: the lowest class of people.—adj.disorderly.—v.i.to utter nonsense.—v.t.(Scot.) to mob.—ns.Rabb′lement, a tumultuous crowd of low people;Rabb′ling(Scot.), the act of assaulting in a disorderly manner, mobbing. [Allied to Old Dut.rabbelen, to gabble, Prov. Ger.rabbeln.]
Rabble, rab′l,n.an iron bar used in puddling.—v.t.to stir with a rabble.—n.Rabb′ler. [O. Fr.roable(Fr.râble)—L.rutabulum, a poker.]
Rabdomancy. Same asRhabdomancy.
Rabelaisian, rab-e-lā′zi-an,n.characteristic ofRabelais(1490-1553), broadly humorous, coarse.
Rabi, rab′i,n.the great grain crop of Hindustan.
Rabid, rab′id,adj.furious: mad: affected withrabies, as a dog: foolishly intense.—adj.Rab′ic, pertaining to rabies.—adv.Rab′idly.—ns.Rab′idness;Rā′bies, the disease (esp. of dogs) from which hydrophobia is communicated: canine madness.—adjs.Rābiet′ic, resembling madness;Rābif′ic, communicating hydrophobia;Rā′bious, raging. [L.rabidus—rabĕre, to rave.]
Rabot, rab′ot,n.a rubber used in polishing marble.
Raca, rā′ka,adj.worthless—a term of contempt used by the Jews of Christ's day; cf. Matt. v. 22. [Chaldeerēkā, worthless; perh. conn. withraq, to spit (Ar.rīq), or withrīqā, empty.]
Raccahout, rak′a-hōōt,n.an Eastern dish made from the edible acorns of the oak. [Fr.,—Ar.rāquat,rāqaout, a nourishing starch.]
Raccoon,Racoon, ra-kōōn′,n.a genus of the bear family of North America, valuable for its fur.—ns.Raccoon′-berr′y, the May apple of the United States;Raccoon′-oys′ter, an oyster growing on the shores of the sea in United States. [Amer. Ind.]
Race, rās,n.the human family: the descendants of a common ancestor: a breed or variety: a tribal or national stock: a line of persons, as of statesmen, or of animals, as the feline race: a herd: peculiar flavour, as of wine, by which its origin may be recognised: (Shak.) intrinsic character, vigour. [Fr.,—Old High Ger.reiza, a line.]
Race, rās,n.rapid motion: trial of speed: progress: course of action: a strong and rapid current: a canal to a water-wheel: a competitive trial of speed in running, walking, &c.: a horse-race, as the Ascot races.—v.i.to run swiftly: to contend in running.—v.t.to cause to race, as steamers, horses, &c.—ns.Race′-card, a card containing information about races;Race′-course,-ground,-track, the course over which races are run;Race′-cup, a piece of plate forming a prize at a race;Race′horse, a horse bred for racing;Race′-meet′ing, a meeting for purposes of horse-racing;Rā′cer, one who races: a racehorse;Race′-way, a mill-race;Rā′cing, the running of races;Rā′cing-bit, a light jointed ring-bit;Consolā′tion-race(seeConsolation);Flat′-race, a horse-race overlevelor clear ground—opp. to aHurdle-raceorSteeplechase, which are called generallyObstacle-races.—Racing calendar, a full list of races to be run. [A.S.rǽs, stream; Ice.rás, rapid course.]
Race, rās,n.(Shak.) a root.—n.Race′-gin′ger, unpulverised ginger. [O. Fr.rais—L.radix, a root.]
Race, rās,v.t.(obs.)=Raze.—adj.Raced.
Raceme, ra-sēm′,n.a cluster: a flower-cluster, as in the currant.—adjs.Racemed′, having racemes;Racem′ic, pertaining to, or obtained from, grapes: an acid obtained from a certain kind of grape;Racemif′erous, bearing racemes;Rac′emōse,Rac′emous, growing in, or resembling, a raceme.—n.Rac′emūle, a small raceme.—adj.Racem′ulōse, bearing small racemes. [Fr.,—L.racemus.]
Rach,Ratch, rach,n.a dog that hunts by scent. [A.S.ræcc, a dog; Ice.rakki.]
Rachianectes, ra-ki-an-ek′tez,n.the gray whale of the North Pacific. [Gr.rhachia, a rocky shore,nēktēs, a swimmer.]
Rachis, rā′kis,n.the spine: (bot.) a branch or axis of inflorescence which proceeds in nearly a straight line from the base to the apex:—pl.Rā′chidēs.—n.Rāchial′gia, pain in the spine.—adjs.Rāchial′gic;Rāchid′ial,Rāchid′ian.—n.Rāchil′la, a secondary rachis in a compound inflorescence.—adj.Rāchit′ic, rickety.—ns.Rāchī′tis, rickets in children (seeRickets): (bot.) a disease which produces abortion in the fruit;Rāch′itome, an anatomical instrument for opening the spinal canal. [Gr.rachis, the spine.]
Racial, rā′si-al,adj.relating to lineage, peculiar to a race.—adv.Rā′cially.
Rack, rak,n.an instrument for racking or extending: an engine for stretching the body in order to extort a confession, hence (fig.) extreme pain, anxiety, or doubt: a framework on which articles are arranged, ashat-rack,plate-rack,letter-rack, &c.: the grating above a manger for hay: (mech.) a straight bar with teeth to work into those of a wheel, pinion, or endless screw, for converting a circular into a rectilinear motion, orvice versâ: (Scot.) the course in curling.—v.t.to stretch forcibly: to strain: to stretch on the rack or wheel: to torture: to exhaust: to worry, agitate: to wrest, overstrain: to practise rapacity: to extort: to place in a rack or frame: (naut.) to seize together with cross-turns, as two ropes.—n.Rack′er, one who tortures.—adj.Rack′ing, tormenting.—ns.Rack′-rail, a railway having cogs which work into similar cogs on a locomotive;Rack′-rent, an annual rent stretched to the utmost value of the thing rented, exorbitant rent.—v.t.to subject to such rents.—ns.Rack′-rent′er, one who exacts or pays rack-rent;Rack′-stick, a stick for stretching a rope;Rack′-tail, a bent arm in a repeating clock connected with the striking mechanism;Rack′work, a strong bar with cogs to correspond with similar cogs on a wheel, which either moves or is moved by the bar.—Live at rack and manger, to live sumptuously and wastefully;On the rack, stretched upon it: tortured by anxiety;Put to the rack, to put to the torture of the rack: to subject to keen suffering. [The radical sense is to stretch, closely allied toreach(q.v.); cf. Ice.rakkr, straight, Ger.rack, a rail,recken, to stretch.]
Rack, rak,n.same asWrack=Wreck—now used only in the phrasesGo to rack,Go to rack and ruin. [Cf. the next word.]
Rack, rak,n.thin or broken clouds drifting across the sky.—v.i.to drift, to drive. [Wrack; cf. Ice.rek.]
Rack, rak,v.t.to strain or draw off from the lees, as wine.—ns.Rack′ing-can, a vessel from which wine can be drawn without disturbing the lees;Rack′ing-cock,-fau′cet, a cock used in drawing off liquour from a cask;Rack′ing-pump, a pump for the transfer of liquor to casks. [O. Fr.raquer,vin raqué; prob. cog. with Sp.rascar, to scrape.]
Rack, rak,n.(prov.) the neck and spine of a fore-quarter of veal or mutton: the neck of mutton or pork.
Rack, rak,n.the gait of a horse between a trot and a gallop.—n.Rack′er, a horse that moves in this gait. [Perh.rack, to drift, orrock.]
Rack, rak,n.same asArrack.—Rack punch, a punch made with arrack.
Rack, rak,n.a young rabbit. [Orig. unknown.]
Rackabones, rak′a-bōnz,n.(Amer.) a very lean person or animal.
Rackarock, rak′a-rok,n.an explosive of potassium chlorate and nitro-benzol.—AlsoRend′rock.
Racket,Racquet, rak′et,n.a bat for playing tennis: a snow-shoe: an organ-stop: a 17th-cent. musical instrument: (pl.) a modern variety of the old game of tennis.—v.t.to strike, as with a racket.—ns.Rack′et-,Racq′uet-court,-ground, a court for playing rackets: a tennis-court;Rack′et-tail, a humming-bird with two feathers like rackets.—adj.Rack′et-tailed. [O. Fr.rachete(Fr.raquette)—Sp.raqueta—Ar.rāhat, the palm of the hand.]
Racket, rak′et,n.a clattering noise: hurly-burly.—v.i.to make a clattering noise: to engage in racket of any kind: to be dissipated.—n.Rack′eter.—adj.Rack′ety.—v.t.andv.i.Rack′le(prov.), to rattle.—n.noisy talk. [Gael.racaid—rac, to cackle.]
Raconteur, ra-kong-tėr′,n.a story-teller. [Fr.]
Racoon. SeeRaccoon.
Racovian, ra-kō′vi-an,n.a 17th-cent. Polish Socinian—their seminary being atRakow.
Racy, rā′si,adj.having a strong flavour imparted by the soil, as wine: exciting to the mind by strongly characteristic thought or language: spirited: pungent, as aracystory: peculiar to the race.—adv.Rā′cily.—n.Rā′ciness. [Race, a family.]
Rad, rad (Spens.),pa.t.ofreadandride.
Rad, rad,adj.(Scot.) afraid.
Rad, rad,n.short forradical.
Raddle, rad′l,v.t.to interweave: to beat.—n.a hedge formed by interweaving the branches of trees: a hurdle: split wood like laths: a wooden bar used in domestic weaving. [Perh. a transposed form ofhurdle; or perh. formed fromwreathe, orwrithe, and confused withhurdle.]
Raddle, rad′l,n.a layer of red pigment—alsoRedd′le.—v.t.to colour coarsely, as with raddle: to do work in a slovenly way. [Ruddle.]
Rade, rād, old form ofrode.
Radial, rā′di-al,adj.shooting out like a ray or radius: pertaining to the radius of the forearm: (bot.) developing uniformly on all sides.—ns.Rādiā′le, the radiocarpal bone:—pl.Rādiā′lia;Rādiā′lis, a radial muscle, artery, or nerve:—pl.Rādiā′les;Rādialisā′tion, arrangement in radiating forms.—v.t.Rā′dialise, to make ray-like: to cause to radiate.—n.Rādial′ity, radial symmetry.—adv.Rā′dially, in the manner of a radius or of rays.—adjs.Rā′diocar′pal, pertaining to the wrist or carpus;Rā′diomus′cular, pertaining to the radius and to muscles;Rā′dio-ul′nar, pertaining to the radius and the ulna.—Radial artery, the smaller of the branches of the branchial artery at the elbow.
Radian, rā′di-an,n.the angle subtended at the centre of a circle by an arc equal to the radius.
Radiant, rā′di-ant,adj.emitting rays of light or heat: issuing in rays: beaming with light: shining: (her.) edged with rays.—n.(opt.) the luminous point from which light emanates: (astron.) the centre point from which meteoric showers proceed: (geom.) a straight line from a point about which it is conceived to revolve.—ns.Rā′diance,Rā′diancy, quality of being radiant: brilliancy: splendour.—adv.Rā′diantly.—adj.Rā′dious(obs.), radiant.—Radiant energy, energy in the form of light or radiant heat;Radiant heat, heat proceeding in rays or direct lines from a centre. [L.radians,-antis, pr.p. ofradiāre,-ātum, to radiate—radius.]
Radiata, rā-di-ā′ta,n.pl.the lowest of Cuvier's four great divisions of the animal kingdom—the organs of sense and motion disposed as rays round a centre.
Radiate, rā′di-āt,v.i.to emit rays of light: to shine: to proceed in direct lines from any point or surface.—v.t.to send out in rays: to furnish with rays.—adjs.Rā′diāte,-d, formed of rays diverging from a centre: (bot.) consisting of a disc in which the florets are tubular: (min.) having crystals diverging from a centre: belonging to theRadiata: in coins, represented with rays proceeding from a centre, as a head or bust.—adv.Rā′diately, in a radiate manner: with radiation from a centre.—adj.Rādiā′tiform, having the appearance of being radiate.—adv.Rā′diatingly.—n.Rādiā′tion, act of radiating: the emission and diffusion of rays of light or heat.—adj.Rā′diative.—n.Rā′diator, a body which radiates or emits rays of light or heat: a part of a heating apparatus for a room.—adj.Rā′diatory.—ns.Rādioflagell′ata, marine animalcules;Rā′diograph, an instrument by which solar radiation is measured.—adj.Rādiolā′rian, pertaining to the ooze at the bottom of the sea, composed of the shells ofRadiolā′rians, a class of marine rhizopodProtozoa, so called from their having thread-like processes of living matter radiating outwards on all sides.—ns.Rādī′olus, one of the barbules of the main shaft of a feather;Rādiom′eter, an instrument consisting of four horizontal arms of very fine glass, carefully poised so as to revolve easily on a point, the whole contained in a glass vessel almost exhausted of air—the arms move round under light or heat, more or less swiftly according to the strength of the rays.—adj.Rādiomet′ric.—ns.Rādiomicrom′eter, an instrument for measuring very small amounts of heat;Rā′diophone, an instrument for producing or transmitting sound by heat-rays.—adj.Rādiophon′ic.—ns.Rādiophon′ics,Rā′diophony, the production of sound by radiant heat;Rā′dium, a rare element whose radiations act upon photographic plates and have properties like the X-rays.
Radical, rad′i-kal,adj.pertaining to the root or origin: original: fundamental: intrinsic: primitive: implanted by nature: not derived: serving to originate: (bot.) proceeding immediately from the root: (politics) ultra-liberal, democratic.—n.a root: a primitive word or letter: one who advocates radical reform, an uncompromising democratic politician: (chem.) the base of a compound.—v.t.Rad′icalise, to make radical.—v.i.to become radical, adopt radical political principles.—n.Rad′icalism, the principles or spirit of a radical or democrat.—adv.Rad′ically.—n.Rad′icalness. [Radix.]
Radicate, rad′i-kāt,adj.deeply rooted: firmly established: (zool.) fixed at the bottom as if rooted: (conch.) adhering like a limpet.—v.t.to root: to plant or fix deeply and firmly:—pr.p.rad′icāting;pa.p.rad′icāted.—adjs.Rad′icant(bot.), sending out roots from the stem above the ground;Radicā′rian, relating to roots;Rad′icated, rooted.—ns.Radicā′tion, the act or process of radicating or taking root deeply: (bot.) the disposition of the root with respect to the ascending or descending stem;Rad′icel, a rootlet.—adjs.Radicic′olous,Radic′olous, living on roots, pertaining to the root-form of the phylloxera;Radiciflō′rous, flowering from the root;Radic′iform, like a root.—n.Rad′icle, a little root: the part of a seed which in growing becomes the root.—adjs.Rad′icōse, having a large root;Radic′ūlar, pertaining to a radicle.—n.Rad′icūle(bot.), that end of the embryo which is opposite to the cotyledons.—adj.Radic′ūlōse(bot.), covered with rootlets: radicose, having a large root. [L.radicāri,-ātus, to take root—radix, a root.]
Radish, rad′ish,n.an annual whose succulent pungent root is eaten raw as a salad.—ns.Rad′ish-fly, an American insect;Sea′side-rad′ish, the wild radish. [Fr.radis—Prov.raditz—L.radix,radicis, a root.]
Radius, rā′di-us,n.(geom.) a straight line from the centre to the circumference of a circle: anything like a radius, as the spoke of a wheel: a ray: (anat.) the exterior bone of the arm: (bot.) the ray of a flower: the movable arm of a sextant: one of the radiating lines of a geometrical spider's web:—pl.Rā′dii(ī).—ns.Rā′dius-bar,-rod, in a steam-engine, a rod pivoted at one end and connected at the other with a concentrically moving part at a fixed distance.—Radius vector(pl.Radii vectores), the distance from a fixed origin to any point of a curve. [L., a rod.]
Radix, rā′diks,n.a root: primitive source: a primitive word from which other words are formed: the base of a system of logarithms:—pl.Radices(rā-dī′sēz).[L.radix,radic-is.]
Radoub, ra-dōōb′,n.the refitting of a ship. [Fr.,radouber, to mend. Cf.Redub.]
Radula, rad′ū-la,n.the tongue or lingual ribbon of a mollusc.—adjs.Rad′ūlar;Rad′ūlāte;Radūlif′erous, bearing a radula;Rad′ūliform, rasp-like: like a file. [L.,—radĕre, to scrape.]
Raff, raf,n.the sweepings of society, the rabble: the riff-raff: rubbish: a low worthless fellow, a rowdy.—v.t.(obs.) to snatch, to sweep off.—adj.Raff′ish, worthless. [O. Fr.raffer, to catch; cog. with Ger.raffen, to snatch; cf.Riff-raff.]
Raff,Raffe, raf,n.(naut.) a three-cornered sail set on a schooner when before the wind.—AlsoRaff′ie.
Raffia. Same asRaphia.
Raffle, raf′l,n.a kind of sale by chance or lottery in which the price is subscribed equally by all who hope to win.—v.i.to try a raffle.—n.Raff′ler. [Fr.rafle, a certain game of dice—rafler, to sweep away—Ger.raffeln, freq. ofraffen(A.S.reafian), to seize.]
Raffle, raf′l,n.lumber, rubbish. [Cf.Raff(1).]
Raffled, raf′ld,adj.having the edge finely notched.
Rafflesia, raf-lē′zi-a,n.a remarkable genus of apetalous parasitic plants, named after Sir T. StamfordRaffles(1781-1826), British governor in Sumatra (1818).
Raft, raft,n.(U.S.) a miscellaneous or promiscuous lot. [A variant ofRaff(1).]
Raft, raft,n.a collection of pieces of timber fastened together for a support on the water: planks conveyed by water.—v.t.to transport on a raft: to form into a raft.—v.i.to manage a raft, travel by raft.—ns.Raft′-bridge, a bridge supported on rafts;Raft′-dog, an iron bar fitted for securing logs in a raft;Raft′-duck, the black-head duck of the United States;Raft′-port, a square hole in some ships for convenience in loading and unloading timber;Raft′-rope, a rope used in whaling-vessels for stringing blubber;Rafts′man, one who guides a raft. [Ice.raptr(pron.raftr), a rafter—ráf,ræfr, a roof; cf. Old High Ger.rāfo, a spar.]
Rafter, raft′ėr,n.an inclined beam supporting the roof of a house.—v.t.to furnish with rafters.—n.Raft′er-bird, the spotted fly-catcher.—Principal rafter, a main timber in supporting the weight of a roof. [A.S.ræfter, a beam; Ice.raptr(raftr), a beam; Dan.raft, a pole.]
Rag, rag,n.a fragment of cloth: a rock having a rough irregular surface: a remnant, scrap: a beggarly person: anything rent or worn out.—adj.made of rags.—v.t.to make ragged.—v.i.to become ragged, to fray: (U.S. slang) to dress (out).—ns.Rag′abash, a low fellow;Rag′amuffin, a low, disreputable person.—adj.Rag′amuffinly.—ns.Rag′-bush, in some heathen countries, a bush dedicated to some deity and decorated with rags torn from the clothes of pilgrims;Rag′-dust, the refuse of rags used by dyers;Rag′-fair, a fair or market for rags, old clothes, &c.;Rag′gery, rags collectively;Rag′ging, the first rough separation of the ore from dross;Rag′-man, a man who collects or deals in rags;Rag′-mon′ey(slang), paper money;Rag′-pick′er, one who collects rags, &c., from ash-heaps, dung-hills, &c.: a machine for tearing old rags, &c., to pieces;Rag′-shop, a shop where rag-pickers dispose of their finds;Rag′-sort′er, one who sorts out rags for paper-making;Rag′-stone,Ragg, an impure limestone, consisting chiefly of lime and silica;Rag′-tag, the rabble;Rag′weed, any plant of the composite genusAmbrosia;Rag′wheel, a wheel with teeth or cogs on the rim, which fit into the links of a chain or into rackwork: a cutlass polishing-wheel;Rag′-wool, shoddy;Rag′work, mason-work built of small stones about the size of bricks: a manufacture from strips of rag.—Rag-tag and bobtail, a rabble. [Ice.rögg, shagginess.]
Rag, rag,v.t.to banter, torment.—Alson.[Perh. from the previous word; others refer to Ice.rægja, to calumniate; cog. with A.S.wrégan, to accuse.]
Ragbolt, rag′bōlt,n.an iron pin with barbed shank.
Rage, rāj,n.violent excitement: enthusiasm: rapture: furious anger: intensity: any object much sought after, the fashion.—v.i.to be furious with anger: to exercise fury: to prevail fatally, as a disease: to be violently agitated, as the waves.—v.t.to enrage.—adjs.Rage′ful, full of rage, furious;Rā′ging, acting with rage, violence, or fury.—adv.Rā′gingly.—All the rage (coll.), quite the fashion. [Fr.,—L.rabies—rabĕre, to rave.]
Ragg, rag,n.(geol.)=Ragstone. See underRag(1).
Ragged, rag′ed,adj.torn or worn into rags: having a rough edge: ruggedly uneven, jagged: wearing ragged clothes: shabby.—adv.Ragg′edly.—ns.Ragg′edness;Ragg′ed-rob′in, the cuckoo flower;Ragg′ed-sail′or, the prince's feather-plant;Ragg′ed-school, a school for the destitute;Ragg′ed-staff(her.), a knotted stick with short stumps of branches on each side. [Cf.Rag.]
Raggee, rag′ē,n.a species of millet, grown in Southern India. [Hind.]
Raggle, rag′l,v.t.to notch irregularly.—n.a ragged piece. [Freq. ofrag.]
Raglan, rag′lan,n.a loose, wide-sleeved overcoat. [From LordRaglan(1788-1855), commander of the English forces in the Crimea.]
Ragman-roll, rag′man-rōl,n.a parchment roll with pendent seals, any important document, esp. the collection of instruments by which the Scotch nobles subscribed allegiance to Edward I. of England, 1291-2-6, and at the parliament of Berwick: a vague story (cf.Rigmarole). [Prob. Ice.ragmenni, a craven—ragr, cowardly (A.S.earg),madhr, man.]
Ragnarök, rag′na-rōōk′,n.the end of the world when the gods (Odin, Thor, &c.) shall be overcome by their enemies and the world burnt up. [Ice.ragna rökr, twilight of the gods—rögn,régin, the gods,rökr, darkness; but orig.ragna rök, the history of the gods—rök, reason, judgment.]
Ragout, ra-gōō′,n.a stew of meat with kitchen herbs, the French equivalent of Irish stew: any spicy mixture or combination, even of persons. [Fr.,—ragoûter, to restore the appetite—L.re, again, Fr.à(=ad), to,goût—L.gustus, taste.]
Raguly, rag′ū-li,adj.(her.) ragged or notched at the edges.—AlsoRag′uled.
Ragwort, rag′wurt,n.any one of several herbs of genusSenecio: a large coarse weed with a yellow flower.—Golden ragwort, a North American plant;Woolly ragwort, a plant from one to three feet high, found in the United States, and covered with hoary wool. [Rag, and A.S.wyrt, a plant.]
Rahu, rä′hōō,n.in Hindu mythology, the demon who causes eclipses of sun and moon.
Raible, rā′bl,v.t.andv.i.a Scotch form ofrabble.
Raid, rād,n.a hostile or predatory invasion: a sudden onset: an irruption, as if for assault or seizure.—v.t.to make a sudden attack.—n.Raid′er, one who makes a raid.—Raid the market, to derange prices by a panic. [A.S.rád, a riding; Ice.reidh.]
Rail, rāl,n.a bar of timber or metal extending from one support to another, as in fences, staircases, &c.: one of those steel bars used on the permanent way of a railway, generally of that form known as the T-rail: a barrier: the railway as a means of travel or transport: (archit.) the horizontal part of a frame and panel: (naut.) the forecastle-rail, poop-rail, and top-rail are bars across the forecastle, &c.—v.t.to enclose with rails: to furnish with rails.—ns.Rail′-bend′er, a screw-press for straightening rails;Rail′-bor′er, a hand-drill for rails;Rail′-chair, an iron block by which the rails are secured to the sleepers;Rail′-clamp, a wedge for clamping a rail firmly;Rail′-coup′ling, a bar by which the opposite rails of a railway are connected at curves, switches, &c.;Rail′-guard, a guard-rail before a front wheel;Rail′ing, a fence of posts and rails: material for rails;Rail′-punch, a machine for punching holes in the webs of rails;Rail′road,Rail′way, a road or way laid with iron rails on which carriages run.—v.t.Rail′road(U.S.), to push forward fast.—ns.Rail′roader, one employed about a railway;Rail′road-worm, the apple maggot;Rail′-saw, a portable machine for sawing off metal rails;Rail′-split′ter(U.S.), one who splits logs into rails for a fence;Rail′way-car, a vehicle for the transportation of passengers and goods;Rail′way-carr′iage, a carriage for the conveyance of passengers;Rail′way-cross′ing, an intersection of railway-lines: an intersection of an ordinary road with a railroad;Rail′way-slide, a turn-table;Rail′way-stitch, a loose and rapid stitch in knitting or crochet-work;Rail′way-train(seeTrain).—Railway company, a stock company formed for the construction and working of a railway, usually organised by a legislative enactment.—Elevated railway, an elevated bridge-like structure used for railway purposes, to avoid obstruction of surface roadways;Military railway, a railway equipped for military service, the locomotives being armoured, and the carriages armour-plated and provided with portholes for rifles;Portable railway, a light railway made in detachable sections, and so suited for carrying easily from place to place. [Low Ger.regel, prob. through O. Fr.reille; cf. Ger.riegel, a bar. Some refer to L.regulathrough O. Fr.reille.]
Rail, rāl,v.i.to brawl: to use insolent language.—v.t.to scoff at, affect by railing.—n.Rail′er, one who rails: one who insults or defames by opprobrious language.—adj.Rail′ing, reproachful, insulting.—n.reproachful and insulting language.—adv.Rail′ingly, in a railing manner: scoffingly: insultingly.—n.Raillery(rāl′ėr-i,orral′-),railing or mockery: banter: good-humoured irony. [Fr.railler—L.rallum, a hoe—radĕre, to scrape.]
Rail, rāl,n.a genus of wading-birds with a harsh cry.—n.Rail′-bird, the Carolina rail.—Golden rail, a rail snipe. [O. Fr.rasle(Fr.râle)—Old Dut.ratelen, to rattle.]
Rail, rāl,v.i.(Spens.) to flow or pour down.
Rail, rāl,n.a robe—now only inNight-rail.
Raiment, rā′ment,n.that in which one is dressed: clothing in general. [Forarraiment. Cf.Array.]
Rain, rān,n.water from the clouds in drops: a shower: a fall of any substance through the atmosphere in the manner of rain.—v.i.to fall from the clouds: to drop like rain.—v.t.to pour like rain.—ns.Rain′band, a dark band in the solar spectrum;Rain′-bird, a bird, like theRain′-crow, supposed to foretell rain by its cries and actions;Rain′bow, the brilliant-coloured bow or arch seen when rain is falling opposite the sun, calledlunar rainbowwhen formed by the moon;Rain′bow-dart′er, the soldier-fish.—adjs.Rain′bowed, formed with, or like, a rainbow;Rain′bow-tint′ed, having tints like those of a rainbow: iridescent.—ns.Rain′bow-trout, a variety of the Californian salmon;Rain′-cham′ber, an attachment to a furnace in which the fumes of any metal are condensed;Rain′-chart,-map, a chart giving information as to the distribution of rain in any part of the world;Rain′-cloud, a cloud in meteorology called nimbus;Rain′drop, a drop of rain;Rain′fall, a fall of rain: the amount of water that falls in a given time in the form of rain;Rain′-gauge, an instrument for measuring the quantity of rain that falls;Rain′iness, the state of being rainy.—adj.Rain′less, without rain.—ns.Rain′-mak′er,-doc′tor, a sorcerer, as those of Africa, professing to bring rain;Rain′-pour, a heavy rainfall;Rain′-print, one of the small pits seen on the surfaces of some argillaceous rocks, and believed to be the impressions of raindrops.—adjs.Rain′-proof,-tight, impervious to rain.—ns.Rain′storm;Rain′-tree, the genisaro of South America;Rain′-wa′ter, water which falls in rain from the clouds.—adj.Rain′y, abounding with rain: showery.—Rain cats and dogs(seeCat).—A rainy day(fig.), a time of need or hardship: future want or need;The former and the latter rain, Palestine, the rain in spring and in autumn: rain in its season. [A.S.regn,rén, rain; Dut. and Ger.regen, Ice.regn.]
Raindeer. Same asReindeer.
Raise, rāz,v.t.to cause to rise: to lift up: to hoist: to set upright: to originate or produce: to bring together: to cause to grow or breed: to produce: to give rise to: to exalt: to increase the strength of: to excite: to collect: muster: (Scot.) to rouse, inflame: to recall from death: to cause to swell, as dough: to extol: to bring up: to remove, take off, as a blockade: to collect, as to raise a company: to give rise to, as to raise a laugh.—n.an ascent, a cairn: (coll.) an enlargement, increase.—adj.Rais′able, capable of being raised.—ns.Rais′er, one who, or that which, raises a building, &c.: (archit.) the upright board on the front of a step in a flight of steps;Rais′ing, the act of lifting: the embossing of sheet-metal by hammering or stamping: the process of deepening colours in dyeing: that with which bread is raised;Rais′ing-bee, a gathering of neighbours to help in raising the frame of a house, &c.;Rais′ing-board, a ribbed board by which to raise the grain of leather;Rais′ing-gig, a machine for raising a nap on cloth;Rais′ing-piece, a piece of timber laid on a brick wall, or on a frame, to carry a beam or beams;Rais′ing-plate, a horizontal timber supporting the heels of rafters.—Raise a siege, to relinquish a siege, or cause this to be done;Raise bread, to make it light, as by yeast or leaven;Raise Cain,the devil,hell,the mischief, &c., to create confusion or riot;Raised beach(geol.), a terrace of gravel, &c., marking the margin of an ancient sea;Raised embroidery, that in which the pattern is raised in relief from the ground;Raised work, in lace-making, work having the edge or some other part of the pattern raised in relief;Raise money on, to get money by pawning something;Raise one's dander(seeDander);Raise the market upon(coll.), to charge more than the regular price;Raise the wind, to obtain money by any shift. [M. E.reisen—Ice.reisa, causal ofrísa, to rise. Cf.Rise.]