RADIANTRa"di*ant, n.
1. (Opt.)
Defn: The luminous point or object from which light emanates; also, a body radiating light brightly.
2. (Geom.)
Defn: A straight line proceeding from a given point, or fixed pole, about which it is conceived to revolve.
3. (Astron.)
Defn: The point in the heavens at which the apparent paths of shooting stars meet, when traced backward, or whence they appear to radiate.
RADIANT ENGINERadiant engine. (Mach.)
Defn: A semiradial engine. See Radial engine, above.
RADIANTLYRa"di*ant*ly, adv.
Defn: In a radiant manner; with glittering splendor.
RADIARYRa"di*a*ry, n. Etym: [Cf. F. radiaire.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A radiate. [Obs.]
RADIATARa`di*a"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. radiatus, p. p. See Radiate.](Zoöl.)
Defn: An extensive artificial group of invertebrates, having all the parts arranged radially around the vertical axis of the body, and the various organs repeated symmetrically in each ray or spheromere.
Note: It includes the coelenterates and the echinoderms. Formerly, the group was supposed to be a natural one, and was considered one of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom.
RADIATERa"di*ate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Radiated; p. pr. & vb. n. Radiating.]Etym: [L. radiatus, p. p. of radiare to furnish with spokes or rays,to radiate, fr. radius. See Radius, Ray a divergent line.]
1. To emit rays; to be radiant; to shine. Virtues shine more clear In them [kings], and radiant like the sun at noon. Howell.
2. To proceed in direct lines from a point or surface; to issue in rays, as light or heat. Light radiates from luminous bodies directly to our eyes. Locke.
RADIATERa"di*ate, v. t.
1. To emit or send out in direct lines from a point or points; as, to radiate heat.
2. To enlighten; to illuminate; to shed light or brightness on; to irradiate. [R.]
RADIATERa"di*ate, a. Etym: [L. radiatus, p. p.]
1. Having rays or parts diverging from a center; radiated; as, a radiate crystal.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: Having in a capitulum large ray florets which are unlike the disk florets, as in the aster, daisy, etc.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Belonging to the Radiata.
RADIATERa"di*ate, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Radiata.
RADIATEDRa"di*a`ted, a.
1. Emitted, or sent forth, in rays or direct lines; as, radiated heat.
2. Formed of, or arranged like, rays or radii; having parts or markings diverging, like radii, from a common center or axis; as, a radiated structure; a radiated group of crystals.
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Belonging to the Radiata.
RADIATELYRa"di*ate*ly, adv.
Defn: In a radiate manner; with radiation or divergence from a center.
RADIATE-VEINEDRa"di*ate-veined`, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Having the principal veins radiating, or diverging, from the apex of the petiole; — said of such leaves as those of the grapevine, most maples, and the castor-oil plant.
RADIATIFORMRa`di*at"i*form, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Having the marginal florets enlarged and radiating but not ligulate, as in the capitula or heads of the cornflower, Gray.
RADIATIONRa`di*a"tion, n. Etym: [L. radiatio: cf. F. radiation.]
1. The act of radiating, or the state of being radiated; emission and diffusion of rays of light; beamy brightness.
2. The shooting forth of anything from a point or surface, like the diverging rays of light; as, the radiation of heat.
RADIATIVERa"di*a*tive, a.
Defn: Capable of radiating; acting by radiation. Tyndall.
RADIATORRa"di*a`tor, n.
Defn: That which radiates or emits rays, whether of light or heat; especially, that part of a heating apparatus from which the heat is radiated or diffused; as, a stream radiator.
RADICAL Rad"i*cal, a. Etym: [F., fr. L. radicalis having roots, fr. radix, - icis, a root. See Radix.]
1. Of or pertaining to the root; proceeding directly from the root.
2. Hence: Of or pertaining to the root or origin; reaching to the center, to the foundation to the ultimate sources to the principles, or the like: original; fundamental; thorough-going; unsparing; extreme; as, radical evils; radical reform; a radical party. The most determined exertions of that authority, against them, only showed their radical independence. Burke.
3. (Bot.) (a) Belonging to, or proceeding from, the root of a plant; as, radical tubers or hairs. (b) Proceeding from a rootlike stem, or one which does not rise above the ground; as, the radical leaves of the dandelion and the sidesaddle flower.
4. (Philol.)
Defn: Relating, or belonging, to the root, or ultimate source of derivation; as, a radical verbal form.
5. (Math.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a radix or root; as, a radical quantity; a radical sign. See below. Radical axis of two circles. (Geom.) See under Axis. — Radical pitch, the pitch or tone with which the utterance of a syllable begins. Rush. — Radical quantity (Alg.), a quantity to which the radical sign is prefixed; specifically, a quantity which is not a perfect power of the degree indicated by the radical sign; a surd. — Radical sign (Math.), the sign sq. root (originally the letter r, the initial of radix, root), placed before any quantity, denoting that its root is to be extracted; thus, sq. roota, or sq. root(a + b). To indicate any other than the square root, a corresponding figure is placed over the sign; thus cube roota, indicates the third or cube root of a. — Radical stress (Elocution), force of utterance falling on the initial part of a syllable or sound. — Radical vessels (Anat.), minute vessels which originate in the substance of the tissues.
Syn. — Primitive; original; natural; underived; fundamental; entire. — Radical, Entire. These words are frequently employed as interchangeable in describing some marked alternation in the condition of things. There is, however, an obvious difference between them. A radical cure, reform, etc., is one which goes to the root of the thing in question; and it is entire, in the sense that, by affecting the root, it affects in a appropriate degree the entire body nourished by the root; but it may not be entire in the sense of making a change complete in its nature, as well as in its extent. Hence, we speak of a radical change; a radical improvement; radical differences of opinion; while an entire change, an entire improvement, an entire difference of opinion, might indicate more than was actually intended. A certain change may be both radical and entire, in every sense.
RADICALRad"i*cal, n.
1. (Philol.) (a) A primitive word; a radix, root, or simple, underived, uncompounded word; an etymon. (b) A primitive letter; a letter that belongs to the radix. The words we at present make use of, and understand only by common agreement, assume a new air and life in the understanding, when you trace them to their radicals, where you find every word strongly stamped with nature; full of energy, meaning, character, painting, and poetry. Cleland.
2. (Politics)
Defn: One who advocates radical changes in government or social institutions, especially such changes as are intended to level class inequalities; — opposed to conservative. In politics they [the Independents] were, to use phrase of their own time. "Root-and-Branch men," or, to use the kindred phrase of our own, Radicals. Macaulay.
3. (Chem.) (a) A characteristic, essential, and fundamental constituent of any compound; hence, sometimes, an atom. As a general rule, the metallic atoms are basic radicals, while the nonmetallic atoms are acid radicals. J. P. Cooke. (b) Specifically, a group of two or more atoms, not completely saturated, which are so linked that their union implies certain properties, and are conveniently regarded as playing the part of a single atom; a residue; — called also a compound radical. Cf. Residue.
4. (Alg.)
Defn: A radical quantity. See under Radical, a.An indicated root of a perfect power of the degree indicated is not aradical but a rational quantity under a radical form. Davies & Peck(Math. Dict. )
5. (Anat.)
Defn: A radical vessel. See under Radical, a.
RADICALISMRad"i*cal*ism, n. Etym: [Cf. F. radicalisme.]
Defn: The quality or state of being radical; specifically, the doctrines or principles of radicals in politics or social reform. Radicalism means root work; the uprooting of all falsehoods and abuses. F. W. Robertson.
RADICALITYRad`i*cal"i*ty, n.
1. Germinal principle; source; origination. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
2. Radicalness; relation to root in essential to a root in essential nature or principle.
RADICALLYRad"i*cal*ly, adv.
1. In a radical manner; at, or from, the origin or root; fundamentally; as, a scheme or system radically wrong or defective.
2. Without derivation; primitively; essentially. [R.] These great orbs thus radically bright. Prior.
RADICALNESSRad"i*cal*ness, n.
Defn: Quality or state of being radical.
RADICANTRad"i*cant, a. Etym: [L. radicans, p. pr.: cf. F. radicant. SeeRadicate, a.] (Bot.)
Defn: Taking root on, or above, the ground; rooting from the stem, as the trumpet creeper and the ivy.
RADICATE Rad"i*cate, a. Etym: [L. radicatus, p. p. of radicari to take root, fr. radix. See Radix.]
Defn: Radicated.
RADICATERad"i*cate, v. i.
Defn: To take root; to become rooted. Evelyn.
RADICATERad"i*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Radicated; p. pr. & vb. n.Radicating.]
Defn: To cause to take root; to plant deeply and firmly; to root. Time should . . . rather confirm and radicate in us the remembrance of God's goodness. Barrow.
RADICATEDRad"i*ca`ted, a.
Defn: Rooted; specifically: (a) (Bot.) Having roots, or possessing a well-developed root. (b) (Zoöl.) Having rootlike organs for attachment.
RADICATIONRad`i*ca"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. radication.]
1. The process of taking root, or state of being rooted; as, the radication of habits.
2. (Bot.)
Defn: The disposition of the roots of a plant.
RADICELRad"i*cel, n. Etym: [Dim. of radix.] (Bot.)
Defn: A small branch of a root; a rootlet.
RADICIFLOROUS Ra*dic`i*flo"rous, a. Etym: [L. radix, -icis, root + flos, floris, a flower.] (Bot.)
Defn: Rhizanthous.
RADICIFORMRa*dic"i*form, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Having the nature or appearance of a radix or root.
RADICLE Rad"i*cle, n. Etym: [L. radicula, dim. of radix, -icis, root: cf. F. radicule. See Radix.] (Bot.) (a) The rudimentary stem of a plant which supports the cotyledons in the seed, and from which the root is developed downward; the stem of the embryo; the caulicle. (b) A rootlet; a radicel.
RADICULARRa*dic"u*lar, a.
Defn: Of or performance to roots, or the root of a plant.
RADICULERad"i*cule, n.
Defn: A radicle.
RADICULOSERa*dic"u*lose`, a. (Bot.)
Defn: Producing numerous radicles, or rootlets.
RADIIRa"di*i, n.,
Defn: pl. of Radius.
RADIO-Ra"di*o-.
Defn: A combining form indicating connection with, or relation to, a radius or ray; specifically (Anat.), with the radius of the forearm; as, radio-ulnar, radiomuscular, radiocarpal.
RADIO-ACTIVERa`di*o-ac"tive, a. [Radio-+ active.] (Physics)
Defn: Capable of luminescence under the action of cathode rays, X rays, or any of the allied forms of radiation. — Ra`di*o- ac*tiv"i*ty, n.
RADIOCONDUCTORRa`di*o*con*duc"tor, n. (Elec.)
Defn: A substance or device that has its conductivity altered in some way by electric waves, as a coherer.
RADIO-FLAGELLATARa`di*o-flag`el*la"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Radiate, andFlagellata.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A group of Protozoa having both flagella and pseudopodia.
RADIOGRAPHRa"di*o*graph, n. Etym: [Radio- + -graph.] (Phys.)
Defn: A picture produced by the Röntgen rays upon a sensitive surface, photographic or fluorescent, especially a picture of opaque objects traversed by the rays.
RADIOGRAPHYRa`di*og"ra*phy, n.
Defn: Art or process of making radiographs. — Ra`di*o*graph"ic (#), *graph"ic*al (#), a. —Ra`di*o*graph"ic*al*ly, adv.
RADIOLARIARa`di*o*la"ri*a, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Radioli.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Order of rhizopods, usually having a siliceous skeleton, or shell, and sometimes radiating spicules. The pseudopodia project from the body like rays. It includes the polycystines. See Polycystina.
RADIOLARIANRa`di*o*la"ri*an, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Radiolaria.— n.
Defn: One of the Radiolaria.
RADIOLI Ra*di"o*li, n. pl.; sing. Radiolus (. Etym: [NL., dim. of L. radius radius: cf. L. radiolus a feeble sunbeam.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The barbs of the radii of a feather; barbules.
RADIOLITERa"di*o*lite, n. Etym: [L. radius ray + -lite: cf. F. radiolithe.](Paleon.)
Defn: A hippurite.
RADIOMETER Ra`di*om"e*ter, n. Etym: [L. radius radius + -meter: cf. F. radiomètre.]
1. (Naut.)
Defn: A forestaff.
2. (Physics)
Defn: An instrument designed for measuring the mechanical effect of radiant energy.
Note: It consists of a number of light discs, blackened on one side, placed at the ends of extended arms, supported on an a pivot in an exhausted glass vessel. When exposed to rays of light or heat, the arms rotate.
RADIOMETRYRa`di*om"e*try, n. (Physics)
Defn: The use of the radiometer, or the measurement of radiation. —Ra`di*o*met"ric (#), a.
RADIOMICROMETERRa`di*o*mi*crom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Radio- + micrometer.] (Physics)
Defn: A very sensitive modification or application of the thermopile, used for indicating minute changes of radiant heat, or temperature.
RADIOPHARERa"di*o*phare, n. [Radio- + phare.]
Defn: A radiotelegraphic station serving solely for determining the position of ships. The radius of operation of such stations was restricted by the International Radiotelegraphic Convention (1912) to 30 nautical miles.
RADIOPHONERa"di*o*phone, Etym: [Radio- + Gr. (Physics)
Defn: An apparatus for the production of sound by the action of luminous or thermal rays. It is essentially the same as the photophone.
RADIOPHONYRa`di*oph"o*ny, n. (Physics)
Defn: The art or practice of using the radiophone.
RADIOPTICONRa`di*op"ti*con, n. [Radio-+ stereopticon.]
Defn: See Projector, above.
RADIOSCOPYRa`di*os"co*py, n. [Radio- + -scopy.]
Defn: Direct observation of objects opaque to light by means of some other form of radiant energy, as the Röntgen rays. — Ra`di*o*scop"ic (#), *scop"ic*al (#), a.
RADIOTELEGRAMRa`di*o*tel"e*gram, n.
Defn: A message transmitted by radiotelegraph.
RADIOTELEGRAPHRa`di*o*tel"e*graph, n. [Radio-+ telegraph.]
Defn: A wireless telegraph.
RADIOTELEGRAPHICRa`di*o*tel`e*graph"ic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to radiotelegraphy; employing, or used or employed in, radiotelegraphy.
RADIOTELEGRAPHYRa`di*o*te*leg"ra*phy, n. [Radio- + telegraphy.]
Defn: Telegraphy using the radiant energy of electrical (Hertzian) waves; wireless telegraphy; — the term adopted for use by the Radiotelegraphic Convention of 1912.
RADIOTELEPHONERa`di*o*tel"e*phone, n.
Defn: A wireless telephone. — Ra`di*o*te*leph"o*ny (#), n.
RADIOTHERAPYRa`di*o*ther"a*py, n. [Radio-+ therapy.] (Med.)
Defn: Treatment of disease by means of Röntgen rays or other forms of radioactivity.
RADIOTHORIUMRa`di*o*tho"ri*um, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A radioactive substance apparently formed as a product from thorium.
RADIOUSRa"di*ous, a. Etym: [L. radiosus.]
1. Consisting of rays, and light. [R.] Berkeley.
2. Radiating; radiant. [Obs.] G. Fletcher.
RADISH Rad"ish, n. Etym: [F. radis; cf. It. radice, Pr. raditz: all fr. L. radix, -icis, a root, an edible root, especially a radish, akin to E. wort. See Wort, and cf. Eradicate, Race a root, Radix.] (Bot.)
Defn: The pungent fleshy root of a well-known cruciferous plant (Paphanus sativus); also, the whole plant. Radish fly (Zoöl.), a small two-winged fly (Anthomyia raphani) whose larvæ burrow in radishes. It resembles the onion fly. — Rat-tailed radish (Bot.), an herb (Raphanus caudatus) having a long, slender pod, which is sometimes eaten. — Wild radish (Bot.), the jointed charlock.
RADIUMRa`di*um, n. [NL., fr. L. radius ray.] (Chem.)
Defn: An intensely radioactive metallic element found (combined) in minute quantities in pitchblende, and various other uranium minerals. Symbol, Ra; atomic weight, 226.4. Radium was discovered by M. and Mme. Curie, of Paris, who in 1902 separated compounds of it by a tedious process from pitchblende. Its compounds color flames carmine and give a characteristic spectrum. It resembles barium chemically. Radium preparations are remarkable for maintaining themselves at a higher temperature than their surroundings, and for their radiations, which are of three kinds: alpha rays, beta rays, and gamma rays (see these terms). By reason of these rays they ionize gases, affect photographic plates, cause sores on the skin, and produce many other striking effects. Their degree of activity depends on the proportion of radium present, but not on its state of chemical combination or on external conditions.The radioactivity of radium is therefore an atomic property, and is explained as result from a disintegration of the atom. This breaking up occurs in at least seven stages; the successive main products have been studied and are called radium emanation or exradio, radium A, radium B, radium C, etc. (The emanation is a heavy gas, the later products are solids.) These products are regarded as unstable elements, each with an atomic weight a little lower than its predecessor. It is possible that lead is the stable end product. At the same time the light gas helium is formed; it probably consists of the expelled alpha particles. The heat effect mentioned above is ascribed to the impacts of these particles. Radium, in turn, is believed to be formed indirectly by an immeasurably slow disintegration of uranium.
RADIUS Ra"di*us, n.; pl. L. Radii; E. Radiuses. Etym: [L., a staff, rod, spoke of a wheel, radius, ray. See Ray a divergent line.]
1. (Geom.)
Defn: A right line drawn or extending from the center of a circle to the periphery; the semidiameter of a circle or sphere.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: The preaxial bone of the forearm, or brachium, corresponding to the tibia of the hind limb. See Illust. of Artiodactyla.
Note: The radius is on the same side of the limb as the thumb, or pollex, and in man it so articulated that its lower end is capable of partial rotation about the ulna.
3. (Bot.)
Defn: A ray, or outer floret, of the capitulum of such plants as the sunflower and the daisy. See Ray, 2.
4. pl. (Zoöl.) (a) The barbs of a perfect. (b) Radiating organs, or color-markings, of the radiates.
5. The movable limb of a sextant or other angular instrument. Knight. Radius bar (Math.), a bar pivoted at one end, about which it swings, and having its other end attached to a piece which it causes to move in a circular arc. — Radius of curvature. See under Curvature.
RADIUS VECTORRa"di*us vec"tor.
1. (Math.)
Defn: A straight line (or the length of such line) connecting any point, as of a curve, with a fixed point, or pole, round which the straight line turns, and to which it serves to refer the successive points of a curve, in a system of polar coördinates. See Coördinate, n.
2. (Astron.)
Defn: An ideal straight line joining the center of an attracting body with that of a body describing an orbit around it, as a line joining the sun and a planet or comet, or a planet and its satellite.
RADIXRa"dix, n.; pl. Radices, E. Radixes. Etym: [L. radix, -icis, root.See Radish.]
1. (Philol.)
Defn: A primitive, from which spring other words; a radical; a root; an etymon.
2. (Math.) (a) A number or quantity which is arbitrarily made the fundamental number of any system; a base. Thus, 10 is the radix, or base, of the common system of logarithms, and also of the decimal system of numeration. (b) (Alg.) A finite expression, from which a series is derived. [R.] Hutton.
3. (Bot.)
Defn: The root of a plant.
RADULA Rad"u*la, n.; pl. Radulæ. Etym: [L., a scraper, fr. radere to scrape.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The chitinous ribbon bearing the teeth of mollusks; — called also lingual ribbon, and tongue. See Odontophore.
RADULIFORMRa*du"li*form, a. Etym: [L. radula a scraper + -form.]
Defn: Rasplike; as, raduliform teeth.
RAFFRaff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Raffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Raffing.] Etym:[OF. raffer, of German origin; cf. G. raffen; akin to E. rap tosnatch. See Rap, and cf. Riffraff, Rip to tear.]
Defn: To sweep, snatch, draw, or huddle together; to take by a promiscuous sweep. [Obs.] Causes and effects which I thus raff up together. Carew.
RAFFRaff, n.
1. A promiscuous heap; a jumble; a large quantity; lumber; refuse. "A raff of errors." Barrow.
2. The sweepings of society; the rabble; the mob; — chiefly used in the compound or duplicate, riffraff.
3. A low fellow; a churl. Raff merchant, a dealer in lumber and odd refuse. [Prov. Eng.]
RAFFAELESQUERaf`fa*el*esque", a.
Defn: Raphaelesque.
RAFFIARaf"fi*a, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A fibrous material used for tying plants, said to come from the leaves of a palm tree of the genus Raphia. J. Smith (Dict. Econ. Plants).
RAFFIA PALM Raf"fi*a palm. (a) A pinnate-leaved palm (Raphia ruffia) native of Madagascar, and of considerable economic importance on account of the strong fiber (raffia) obtained from its leafstalks. (b) The jupati palm.
RAFFINOSERaf"fi*nose`, n. Etym: [F. raffiner to refine.] (Chem.)
Defn: A colorless crystalline slightly sweet substance obtained from the molasses of the sugar beet.
RAFFISHRaff"ish, a.
Defn: Resembling, or having the character of, raff, or a raff;worthless; low.A sad, raffish, disreputable character. Thackeray.
RAFFLE Raf"fle, n. Etym: [F. rafle; faire rafle to sweep stakes, fr. rafter to carry or sweep away, rafler tout to sweep stakes; of German origin; cf. G. raffeln to snatch up, to rake. See Raff, v.]
1. A kind of lottery, in which several persons pay, in shares, the value of something put up as a stake, and then determine by chance (as by casting dice) which one of them shall become the sole possessor.
2. A game of dice in which he who threw three alike won all the stakes. [Obs.] Cotgrave.
RAFFLERaf"fle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Raffled; p. pr. & vb. n. Raffling.]
Defn: To engage in a raffle; as, to raffle for a watch.
RAFFLERaf"fle, v. t.
Defn: To dispose of by means of a raffle; — often followed by off; as, to raffle off a horse.
RAFFLERRaf"fler, n.
Defn: One who raffles.
RAFFLESIARaf*fle"si*a, n. Etym: [NL. Named from its discoverer, Sir S.Raffle.] (Bot.)
Defn: A genus of stemless, leafless plants, living parasitically upon the roots and stems of grapevines in Malaysia. The flowers have a carrionlike odor, and are very large, in one species (Rafflesia Arnoldi) having a diameter of two or three feet.
RAFTRaft, obs.
Defn: imp. & p. p. of Reave. Spenser.
RAFT Raft, n. Etym: [Originally, a rafter, spar, and fr. Icel. raptr a rafter; akin to Dan. raft, Prov. G. raff a rafter, spar; cf. OHG. rafo, ravo, a beam, rafter, Icel. raf roof. Cf. Rafter, n.]
1. A collection of logs, boards, pieces of timber, or the like, fastened, together, either for their own collective conveyance on the water, or to serve as a support in conveying other things; a float.
2. A collection of logs, fallen trees, etc. (such as is formed in some Western rivers of the United States), which obstructs navigation. [U.S.]
3. Etym: [Perhaps akin to raff a heap.]
Defn: A large collection of people or things taken indiscriminately. [Slang, U. S.] "A whole raft of folks." W. D. Howells. Raft bridge. (a) A bridge whose points of support are rafts. (b) A bridge that consists of floating timbers fastened together. — Raft duck. Etym: [The name alludes to its swimming in dense flocks.] (Zoöl.) (a) The bluebill, or greater scaup duck; — called also flock duck. See Scaup. (b) The redhead. — Raft port (Naut.), a large, square port in a vessel's side for loading or unloading timber or other bulky articles; a timber or lumber port.
RAFTRaft, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rafted; p. pr. & vb. n. Rafting.]
Defn: To transport on a raft, or in the form of a raft; to make into a raft; as, to raft timber.
RAFTERaf"te, obs.
Defn: imp. of Reave. Chaucer.
RAFTERRaft"er, n.
Defn: A raftsman.
RAFTERRaft"er, n. Etym: [AS. ræfter; akin to E. raft, n. See Raft.] (Arch.)
Defn: Originally, any rough and somewhat heavy piece of timber. Now, commonly, one of the timbers of a roof which are put on sloping, according to the inclination of the roof. See Illust. of Queen-post. [Courtesy] oft is sooner found in lowly sheds, With smoky rafters, than in tapestry halls. Milton.
RAFTERRaft"er, v. t.
1. To make into rafters, as timber.
2. To furnish with rafters, as a house.
3. (Agric.)
Defn: To plow so as to turn the grass side of each furrow upon an unplowed ridge; to ridge. [Eng.]
RAFTINGRaft"ing, n.
Defn: The business of making or managing rafts.
RAFTSMANRafts"man, n.; pl. Raftsmen (.
Defn: A man engaged in rafting.
RAFTYRaf"ty, a. Etym: [Perhaps akin to G. reif hoarfrost.]
Defn: Damp; musty. [Prov. Eng.]
RAG Rag, v. t. Etym: [Cf. Icel. rægja to calumniate, OHG, ruogen to accuse, G. rügen to censure, AS. wregan, Goth. wrohjan to accuse.]
Defn: To scold or rail at; to rate; to tease; to torment; to banter.[Prov. Eng.] Pegge.
RAG Rag, n. Etym: [OE. ragge, probably of Scand, origin; cf. Icel. rögg rough hair. Cf. Rug, n.]
1. A piece of cloth torn off; a tattered piece of cloth; a shred; a tatter; a fragment. Cowls, hoods, and habits, with their wearers, tossed, And fluttered into rags. Milton. Not having otherwise any rag of legality to cover the shame of their cruelty. Fuller.
2. pl.
Defn: Hence, mean or tattered attire; worn-out dress.And virtue, though in rags, will keep me warm. Dryden.
3. A shabby, beggarly fellow; a ragamuffin. The other zealous rag is the compositor. B. Jonson. Upon the proclamation, they all came in, both tag and rag. Spenser.
4. (Geol.)
Defn: A coarse kind of rock, somewhat cellular in texture.
5. (Metal Working)
Defn: A ragged edge.
6. A sail, or any piece of canvas. [Nautical Slang] Our ship was a clipper with every rag set. Lowell. Rag bolt, an iron pin with barbs on its shank to retain it in place. — Rag carpet, a carpet of which the weft consists of narrow of cloth sewed together, end to end. — Rag dust, fine particles of ground-up rags, used in making papier-maché and wall papers. — Rag wheel. (a) A chain wheel; a sprocket wheel. (b) A polishing wheel made of disks of cloth clamped together on a mandrel. — Rag wool, wool obtained by tearing woolen rags into fine bits, shoddy.
RAGRag, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ragged; p. pr. & vb. n. Ragging.]
Defn: To become tattered. [Obs.]
RAGRag, v. t.
1. To break (ore) into lumps for sorting.
2. To cut or dress roughly, as a grindstone.
RAGABASH; RAGABRASHRag"a*bash`, Rag"a*brash`, n.
Defn: An idle, ragged person. Nares. Grose.
RAGAMUFFIN Rag`a*muf"fin, n. Etym: [Cf. Ragamofin, the name of a demon in some of the old mysteries.]
1. A paltry or disreputable fellow; a mean which. Dryden.
2. A person who wears ragged clothing. [Colloq.]
3. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The long-tailed titmouse. [Prov. Eng.]
RAGE Rage, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. rabies, fr. rabere to rave; cf. Skr. rabh to seize, rabhas violence. Cf. Rabid, Rabies, Rave.]
1. Violent excitement; eager passion; extreme vehemence of desire, emotion, or suffering, mastering the will. "In great rage of pain." Bacon. He appeased the rage of hunger with some scraps of broken meat. Macaulay. Convulsed with a rage of grief. Hawthorne.
2. Especially, anger accompanied with raving; overmastering wrath; violent anger; fury. torment, and loud lament, and furious rage. Milton.
3. A violent or raging wind. [Obs.] Chaucer.
4. The subject of eager desire; that which is sought after, or prosecuted, with unreasonable or excessive passion; as, to be all the rage.
Syn.— Anger; vehemence; excitement; passion; fury. See Anger.
RAGE Rage, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Raged; p. pr. & vb. n. Raging.] Etym: [OF. ragier. See Rage, n.]
1. To be furious with anger; to be exasperated to fury; to be violently agitated with passion. "Whereat he inly raged." Milton. When one so great begins to rage, he a hunted Even to falling. Shak.
2. To be violent and tumultuous; to be violently driven or agitated; to act or move furiously; as, the raging sea or winds. Why do the heathen rage Ps. ii. 1. The madding wheels Of brazen chariots raged; dire was the noise. Milton.
3. To ravage; to prevail without restraint, or with destruction or fatal effect; as, the plague raged in Cairo.
4. To toy or act wantonly; to sport. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Syn.— To storm; fret; chafe; fume.
RAGERage, v. t.
Defn: To enrage. [Obs.] Shak.
RAGEFULRage"ful, a.
Defn: Full of rage; expressing rage. [Obs.] "Rageful eyes." Sir P.Sidney.
RAGERYRa"ger*y, n.
Defn: Wantonness. [Obs.] Chaucer.
RAGGEDRag"ged, a. Etym: [From Rag, n.]
1. Rent or worn into tatters, or till the texture is broken; as, a ragged coat; a ragged sail.
2. Broken with rough edges; having jags; uneven; rough; jagged; as, ragged rocks.
3. Hence, harsh and disagreeable to the ear; dissonant. [R.] "A ragged noise of mirth." Herbert.
4. Wearing tattered clothes; as, a ragged fellow.
5. Rough; shaggy; rugged. What shepherd owns those ragged sheep Dryden. Ragged lady (Bot.), the fennel flower (Nigella Damascena). — Ragged robin (Bot.), a plant of the genus Lychnis (L. Flos- cuculi), cultivated for its handsome flowers, which have the petals cut into narrow lobes. — Ragged sailor (Bot.), prince's feather (Polygonum orientale). — Ragged school, a free school for poor children, where they are taught and in part fed; — a name given at first because they came in their common clothing. [Eng.] — Rag"ged*ly, adv. — Rag"ged*ness, n.
RAGGIE; RAGGYRag"gie, or; Rag"gy, a.
Defn: Ragged; rough. [Obs.] "A stony and raggie hill." Holland.
RAGHUVANSARagh`u*van"sa, n. Etym: [Skr. Raguvamsça.]
Defn: A celebrated Sanskrit poem having for its subject the Raghu dynasty.
RAGINGRa"ging,
Defn: a. & n. from Rage, v. i.— Ra"*ging*ly, adv.
RAGIOUSRa"gious, a.
Defn: Raging; furious; rageful. [Obs.] — Ra"gious*ness, n. [Obs.]
RAGLANRag"lan, n.
Defn: A loose overcoat with large sleeves; — named from Lord Raglan, an English general.
RAGMANRag"man, n.; pl. Ragmen (.
Defn: A man who collects, or deals in, rags.
RAGMANRag"man, n. Etym: [See Ragman's roll.]
Defn: A document having many names or numerous seals, as a papal bull. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.
RAGMAN'S ROLL Rag"man's roll`. Etym: [For ragman roll a long list of names, the devil's roll or list; where ragman is of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. ragmenni a craven person, Sw. raggen the devil. Icel. ragmenni is fr. ragr cowardly (another form of argr, akin to AS. earg cowardly, vile, G. arg bad) + menni (in comp.) man, akin to E. man. See Roll, and cf. Rigmarole.]
Defn: The rolls of deeds on parchment in which the Scottish nobility and gentry subscribed allegiance to Edward I. of England, A. D. 1296. [Also written ragman-roll.]
RAGNAROK; RAGNAROK Rag"na*rok", Rag"na*rök", n. [Icel., fr. regin, rögn, gods + rök reason, origin, history; confused with ragna-rökr the twilight of the gods.] (Norse Myth.)
Defn: The so-called "Twilight of the Gods" (called in German Götterdämmerung), the final destruction of the world in the great conflict between the Æsir (gods) on the one hand, and on the other, the gaints and the powers of Hel under the leadership of Loki (who is escaped from bondage).
RAGOUT Ra*gout", n. Etym: [F. ragoût, fr. ragoûter to restore one's appetite, fr. L. pref. re- re- + ad to + gustare to taste, gustus taste. See Gust relish.]
Defn: A dish made of pieces of meat, stewed, and highly seasoned; as, a ragout of mutton.
RAGPICKERRag"pick`er, n.
Defn: One who gets a living by picking up rags and refuse things in the streets.
RAGTIMERag"time`, n. (Mus.)
Defn: Time characterized by syncopation, as in many negro melodies.[Colloq.]
RAGULED; RAGGULED Ra*guled", Rag*guled", a. Etym: [Cf. F. raguer to chafe, fret, rub, or E. rag.] (Her.)
Defn: Notched in regular diagonal breaks; — said of a line, or a bearing having such an edge.
RAGWEEDRag"weed, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A common American composite weed (Ambrosia artemisiæfolia) with finely divided leaves; hogweed. Great ragweed, a coarse American herb (Ambrosia trifida), with rough three-lobed opposite leaves.
RAGWORKRag"work`, n. (Masonry)
Defn: A kind of rubblework. In the United States, any rubblework of thin and small stones.
RAGWORTRag"wort`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: A name given to several species of the composite genus Senecio.
Note: Senecio aureus is the golden ragwort of the United States: S. elegans is the purple ragwort of South Africa.
RAIARa"ia, n. Etym: [L., a ray. Cf. Ray the fish.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A genus of rays which includes the skates. See Skate.
RAIAERa"iæ, n. pl. Etym: [NL. See Raia.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: The order of elasmobranch fishes which includes the sawfishes, skates, and rays; — called also Rajæ, and Rajii.
RAIDRaid, n. Etym: [Icel. reiedh a riding, raid; akin to E. road. SeeRoad a way.]
1. A hostile or predatory incursion; an inroad or incursion of mounted men; a sudden and rapid invasion by a cavalry force; a foray. Marauding chief! his sole delight. The moonlight raid, the morning fight. Sir W. Scott. There are permanent conquests, temporary occupation, and occasional raids. H. Spenser.
Note: A Scottish word which came into common use in the United States during the Civil War, and was soon extended in its application.
2. An attack or invasion for the purpose of making arrests, seizing property, or plundering; as, a raid of the police upon a gambling house; a raid of contractors on the public treasury. [Colloq. U. S.]
RAIDRaid, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Raided; p. pr. & vb. n. Raiding.]
Defn: To make a raid upon or into; as, two regiments raided the border counties.
RAIDERRaid"er, n.
Defn: One who engages in a raid. [U.S.]
RAIFFEISENRaif"fei`sen, a. (Economics)
Defn: Designating, or pertaining to, a form of coöperative bank founded among the German agrarian population by Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen (1818-88); as, Raiffeisen banks, the Raiffeisen system, etc. The banks are unlimited-liability institutions making small loans at a low rate of interest, for a designated purpose, to worthy members only.
RAILRail, n. Etym: [OE. reil, reýel, AS. hrægel, hrægl a garment; akin toOHG. hregil, OFries. hreil.]
Defn: An outer cloak or covering; a neckerchief for women. Fairholt.
RAILRail, v. i. Etym: [Etymol. uncertain.]
Defn: To flow forth; to roll out; to course. [Obs.]Streams of tears from her fair eyes forth railing. Spenser.
RAIL Rail, n. Etym: [Akin to LG. & Sw. regel bar, bolt, G. riegel a rail, bar, or bolt, OHG, rigil, rigel, bar, bolt, and possibly to E. row a line.]
1. A bar of timber or metal, usually horizontal or nearly so, extending from one post or support to another, as in fences, balustrades, staircases, etc.
2. (Arch.)
Defn: A horizontal piece in a frame or paneling. See Illust. ofStyle.
3. (Railroad)
Defn: A bar of steel or iron, forming part of the track on which the wheels roll. It is usually shaped with reference to vertical strength, and is held in place by chairs, splices, etc.
4. (Naut.) (a) The stout, narrow plank that forms the top of the bulwarks. (b) The light, fencelike structures of wood or metal at the break of the deck, and elsewhere where such protection is needed. Rail fence. See under Fence. — Rail guard. (a) A device attached to the front of a locomotive on each side for clearing the rail obstructions. (b) A guard rail. See under Guard. — Rail joint (Railroad), a splice connecting the adjacent ends of rails, in distinction from a chair, which is merely a seat. The two devices are sometimes united. Among several hundred varieties, the fish joint is standard. See Fish joint, under Fish. — Rail train (Iron & Steel Manuf.), a train of rolls in a rolling mill, for making rails for railroads from blooms or billets.
RAILRail, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Railed; p. pr. & vb. n. Railing.]
1. To inclose with rails or a railing. It ought to be fenced in and railed. Ayliffe.
2. To range in a line. [Obs.] They were brought to London all railed in ropes, like a team of horses in a cart. Bacon.
RAIL Rail, n. Etym: [F. râle, fr. râler to have a rattling in the throat; of German origin, and akin to E. rattle. See Rattle, v.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of limicoline birds of the family Rallidæ, especially those of the genus Rallus, and of closely allied genera. They are prized as game birds.
Note: The common European water rail (Rallus aquaticus) is called also bilcock, skitty coot, and brook runner. The best known American species are the clapper rail, or salt-marsh hen (Rallus lonqirostris, var. crepitans); the king, or red-breasted, rail (R. elegans) (called also fresh-water marshhen); the lesser clapper, or Virginia, rail (R. Virginianus); and the Carolina, or sora, rail (Porzana Carolina). See Sora. Land rail (Zoöl.), the corncrake.
RAIL Rail, v. i. Etym: [F. railler; cf. Sp. rallar to grate, scrape, molest; perhaps fr. (assumed) LL. radiculare, fr. L. radere to scrape, grate. Cf. Rally to banter, Rase.]
Defn: To use insolent and reproachful language; to utter reproaches;to scoff; followed by at or against, formerly by on. Shak.And rail at arts he did not understand. Dryden.Lesbia forever on me rails. Swift.
RAILRail, v. t.
1. To rail at. [Obs.] Feltham.
2. To move or influence by railing. [R.] Rail the seal from off my bond. Shak.
RAILERRail"er, n.
Defn: One who rails; one who scoffs, insults, censures, or reproaches with opprobrious language.
RAILINGRail"ing, a.
Defn: Expressing reproach; insulting. Angels which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them. 2 Pet. ii. 11.
RAILINGRail"ing, n.
1. A barrier made of a rail or of rails.
2. Rails in general; also, material for making rails.
RAILINGLYRail"ing*ly, adv.
Defn: With scoffing or insulting language.
RAILLERYRail"ler*y, n. Etym: [F. raillerie, fr. railler. See Rail to scoff.]
Defn: Pleasantry or slight satire; banter; jesting language;satirical merriment.Let raillery be without malice or heat. B. Jonson.Studies employed on low objects; the very naming of them issufficient to turn them into raillery. Addison.
RAILLEURRail`leur", n. Etym: [F.]
Defn: A banterer; a jester; a mocker. [R.] Wycherley.
RAILROAD; RAILWAYRail"road`, Rail"way`, n.
1. A road or way consisting of one or more parallel series of iron or steel rails, patterned and adjusted to be tracks for the wheels of vehicles, and suitably supported on a bed or substructure.
Note: The modern railroad is a development and adaptation of the older tramway.
2. The road, track, etc., with al the lands, buildings, rolling stock, franchises, etc., pertaining to them and constituting one property; as, certain railroad has been put into the hands of a receiver.
Note: Railway is the commoner word in England; railroad the commoner word in the United States.
Note: In the following and similar phrases railroad and railway are used interchangeably: —Atmospheric railway, Elevated railway, etc. See under Atmospheric, Elevated, etc. — Cable railway. See Cable road, under Cable. — Perry railway, a submerged track on which an elevated platform runs, fro carrying a train of cars across a water course. — Gravity railway, a railway, in a hilly country, on which the cars run by gravity down gentle slopes for long distances after having been hauled up steep inclines to an elevated point by stationary engines. — Railway brake, a brake used in stopping railway cars or locomotives. — Railway car, a large, heavy vehicle with flanged wheels fitted for running on a railway. [U.S.] — Railway carriage, a railway passenger car. [Eng.] — Railway scale, a platform scale bearing a track which forms part of the line of a railway, for weighing loaded cars. — Railway slide. See Transfer table, under Transfer. — Railway spine (Med.), an abnormal condition due to severe concussion of the spinal cord, such as occurs in railroad accidents. It is characterized by ataxia and other disturbances of muscular function, sensory disorders, pain in the back, impairment of general health, and cerebral disturbance, — the symptoms often not developing till some months after the injury. — Underground railroad or railway. (a) A railroad or railway running through a tunnel, as beneath the streets of a city. (b) Formerly, a system of coöperation among certain active antislavery people in the United States, by which fugitive slaves were secretly helped to reach Canada.
Note: [In the latter sense railroad, and not railway, was used.]"Their house was a principal entrepôt of the underground railroad."W. D. Howells.
RAILROADINGRail"road`ing, n.
Defn: The construction of a railroad; the business of managing or operating a railroad. [Colloq. U. S.]
RAIMENTRai"ment, n. Etym: [Abbrev. fr. arraiment. See Array.]
1. Clothing in general; vesture; garments; — usually singular in form, with a collective sense. Living, both food and raiment she supplies. Dryden.
2. An article of dress. [R. or Obs.] Sir P. Sidney.
RAINRain, n. & v.
Defn: Reign. [Obs.] Spenser.
RAIN Rain, n. Etym: [OF. rein, AS. regen; akin to OFries. rein, D. & G. regen, OS. & OHG. regan, Icel., Dan., & Sw. regn, Goth. rign, and prob. to L. rigare to water, to wet; cf. Gr.
Defn: Water falling in drops from the clouds; the descent of water from the clouds in drops. Rain is water by the heat of the sun divided into very small parts ascending in the air, till, encountering the cold, it be condensed into clouds, and descends in drops. Ray. Fair days have oft contracted wind and rain. Milton.
Note: Rain is distinguished from mist by the size of the drops, which are distinctly visible. When water falls in very small drops or particles, it is called mist; and fog is composed of particles so fine as to be not only individually indistinguishable, but to float or be suspended in the air. See Fog, and Mist. Rain band (Meteorol.), a dark band in the yellow portion of the solar spectrum near the sodium line, caused by the presence of watery vapor in the atmosphere, and hence sometimes used in weather predictions. — Rain bird (Zoöl.), the yaffle, or green woodpecker. [Prov. Eng.] The name is also applied to various other birds, as to Saurothera vetula of the West Indies. — Rain fowl (Zoöl.), the channel-bill cuckoo (Scythrops Novæ- Hollandiæ) of Australia. — Rain gauge, an instrument of various forms measuring the quantity of rain that falls at any given place in a given time; a pluviometer; an ombrometer. — Rain goose (Zoöl.), the red-throated diver, or loon. [Prov. Eng.] — Rain prints (Geol.), markings on the surfaces of stratified rocks, presenting an appearance similar to those made by rain on mud and sand, and believed to have been so produced. — Rain quail. (Zoöl.) See Quail, n., 1. — Rain water, water that has fallen from the clouds in rain.
RAINRain, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Rained; p. pr. & vb. n. Raining.] Etym:[AS. regnian, akin to G. regnen, Goth. rignjan. See Rain, n.]
1. To fall in drops from the clouds, as water; used mostly with it for a nominative; as, it rains. The rain it raineth every day. Shak.
2. To fall or drop like water from the clouds; as, tears rained from their eyes.
RAINRain, v. t.
1. To pour or shower down from above, like rain from the clouds. Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. Ex. xvi. 4.
2. To bestow in a profuse or abundant manner; as, to rain favors upon a person.
RAINBOW Rain"bow`, n. Etym: [AS. regenboga, akin to G. regenbogen. See Rain, and Bow anything bent,]
Defn: A bow or arch exhibiting, in concentric bands, the several colors of the spectrum, and formed in the part of the hemisphere opposite to the sun by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays in drops of falling rain.
Note: Besides the ordinary bow, called also primary rainbow, which is formed by two refractions and one reflection, there is also another often seen exterior to it, called the secondary rainbow, concentric with the first, and separated from it by a small interval. It is formed by two refractions and two reflections, is much fainter than the primary bow, and has its colors arranged in the reverse order from those of the latter. Lunar rainbow, a fainter arch or rainbow, formed by the moon. — Marine rainbow, or Sea bow, a similar bow seen in the spray of waves at sea. — Rainbow trout (Zoöl.), a bright-colored trout (Salmoirideus), native of the mountains of California, but now extensively introduced into the Eastern States. Japan, and other countries; — called also brook trout, mountain trout, and golden trout. — Rainbow wrasse. (Zoöl.) See under Wrasse. — Supernumerary rainbow, a smaller bow, usually of red and green colors only, sometimes seen within the primary or without the secondary rainbow, and in contact with them.
RAINBOWEDRain"bowed`, a.
Defn: Formed with or like a rainbow.
RAINDEERRain"deer`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: See Reindeer. [Obs.]
RAINDROPRain"drop`, n.
Defn: A drop of rain.
RAINFALLRain"fall`, n.
Defn: A fall or descent of rain; the water, or amount of water, thatfalls in rain; as, the average annual rainfall of a region.Supplied by the rainfall of the outer ranges of Sinchul andSingaleleh. Hooker.
RAININESSRain"i*ness, n.
Defn: The state of being rainy.
RAINLESSRain"less, a.
Defn: Destitute of rain; as, a rainless region.
RAIN-TIGHTRain"-tight`, a.
Defn: So tight as to exclude rain as, a rain-tight roof.
RAINYRain"y, a. Etym: [AS. regenig.]
Defn: Abounding with rain; wet; showery; as, rainy day or season.
RAIPRaip, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. reip rope. Cf. Rope.]
Defn: A rope; also, a measure equal to a rod. [Scot.]
RAISRais, n.
Defn: Same as 2d Reis.
RAISABLERais"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being raised.
RAISERaise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Raised; p. pr. & vb. n. Raising.] Etym:[OE. reisen, Icel. reisa, causative of risa to rise. See Rise, andcf. Rear to raise.]
1. To cause to rise; to bring from a lower to a higher place; to lift upward; to elevate; to heave; as, to raise a stone or weight. Hence, figuratively: — (a) To bring to a higher condition or situation; to elevate in rank, dignity, and the like; to increase the value or estimation of; to promote; to exalt; to advance; to enhance; as, to raise from a low estate; to raise to office; to raise the price, and the like. This gentleman came to be raised to great titles. Clarendon. The plate pieces of eight were raised three pence in the piece. Sir W. Temple.
(b) To increase the strength, vigor, or vehemence of; to excite; to intensify; to invigorate; to heighten; as, to raise the pulse; to raise the voice; to raise the spirits or the courage; to raise the heat of a furnace. (c) To elevate in degree according to some scale; as, to raise the pitch of the voice; to raise the temperature of a room.
2. To cause to rise up, or assume an erect position or posture; to set up; to make upright; as, to raise a mast or flagstaff. Hence: — (a) To cause to spring up from recumbent position, from a state of quiet, or the like; to awaken; to arouse. They shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. Job xiv. 12.
(b) To rouse to action; to stir up; to incite to tumult, struggle, or war; to excite. He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind. Ps. cvii. 25. Æneas . . . employs his pains, In parts remote, to raise the Tuscan swains. Dryden.
(c) To bring up from the lower world; to call up, as a spirit from the world of spirits; to recall from death; to give life to. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead Acts xxvi. 8.
3. To cause to arise, grow up, or come into being or to appear; to give to; to originate, produce, cause, effect, or the like. Hence, specifically: — (a) To form by the accumulation of materials or constituent parts; to build up; to erect; as, to raise a lofty structure, a wall, a heap of stones. I will raise forts against thee. Isa. xxxix. 3.
(b) To bring together; to collect; to levy; to get together or obtain for use or service; as, to raise money, troops, and the like. "To raise up a rent." Chaucer. (c) To cause to grow; to procure to be produced, bred, or propagated; to grow; as, to raise corn, barley, hops, etc.; toraise cattle. "He raised sheep." "He raised wheat where none grew before." Johnson's Dict.
Note: In some parts of the United States, notably in the SouthernStates, raise in also commonly applied to the rearing or bringing upof children.I was raised, as they say in Virginia, among the mountains of theNorth. Paulding.
(d) To bring into being; to produce; to cause to arise, come forth, or appear; — often with up. I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee. Deut. xviii. 18. God vouchsafes to raise another world From him [Noah], and all his anger to forget. Milton.
(e) To give rise to; to set agoing; to occasion; to start; to originate; as, to raise a smile or a blush. Thou shalt not raise a false report. Ex. xxiii. 1.
(f) To give vent or utterance to; to utter; to strike up. Soon as the prince appears, they raise a cry. Dryden.
(g) To bring to notice; to submit for consideration; as, to raise a point of order; to raise an objection.
4. To cause to rise, as by the effect of leaven; to make light and spongy, as bread. Miss Liddy can dance a jig, and raise paste. Spectator.
5. (Naut.) (a) To cause (the land or any other object) to seem higher by drawing nearer to it; as, to raise Sandy Hook light. (b) To let go; as in the command, Raise tacks and sheets, i. e., Let go tacks and sheets.
6. (Law)
Defn: To create or constitute; as, to raise a use that is, to create it. Burrill. To raise a blockade (Mil.), to remove or break up a blockade, either by withdrawing the ships or forces employed in enforcing it, or by driving them away or dispersing them. — To raise a check, note, bill of exchange, etc., to increase fraudulently its nominal value by changing the writing, figures, or printing in which the sum payable is specified. — To raise a siege, to relinquish an attempt to take a place by besieging it, or to cause the attempt to be relinquished. — To raise steam, to produce steam of a required pressure. — To raise the wind, to procure ready money by some temporary expedient. [Colloq.] — To raise Cain, or To raise the devil, to cause a great disturbance; to make great trouble. [Slang]
Syn. — To lift; exalt; elevate; erect; originate; cause; produce; grow; heighten; aggravate; excite.
RAISEDRaised, a.
1. Lifted up; showing above the surroundings; as, raised or embossed metal work.
2. Leavened; made with leaven, or yeast; — used of bread, cake, etc., as distinguished from that made with cream of tartar, soda, etc. See Raise, v. t., 4. Raised beach. See under Beach, n.
RAISERRais"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, raises (in various senses of the verb).
RAISIN Rai"sin, n. Etym: [F. raisin grape, raisin, L. racemus cluster of grapes or berries; cf. Gr. Raceme.]
1. A grape, or a bunch of grapes. [Obs.] Cotgrave.
2. A grape dried in the sun or by artificial heat. Raisin tree (Bot.), the common red currant, whose fruit resembles the small raisins of Corinth called currants. [Eng.] Dp. Prior.
RAISINGRais"ing, n.
1. The act of lifting, setting up, elevating, exalting, producing, or restoring to life.
2. Specifically, the operation or work of setting up the frame of a building; as, to help at a raising. [U.S.]
3. The operation of embossing sheet metal, or of forming it into cup- shaped or hollow articles, by hammering, stamping, or spinning. Raising bee, a bee for raising the frame of a building. See Bee, n., 2. [U.S.] W. Irving. — Raising hammer, a hammer with a rounded face, used in raising sheet metal. — Raising plate (Carp.), the plate, or longitudinal timber, on which a roof is raised and rests.
RAISONNERai`son`né", a. Etym: [F. raisonné. p. p. of raisonner to reason.]
Defn: Arranged systematically, or according to classes or subjects; as, a catalogue raisonné. See under Catalogue.
RAIVELRai"vel, n. (Weaving)
Defn: A separator. [Scot.]
RAJRaj, n. Etym: [See Rajah.]
Defn: Reign; rule. [India]
RAJARa"ja, n.
Defn: Same as Rajah.
RAJAHRa"jah, n. Etym: [Hind. raja, Skr. rajan, akin to L. rex, regis. SeeRegal, a.]
Defn: A native prince or king; also, a landholder or person of importance in the agricultural districts. [India]
RAJAHSHIPRa"jah*ship, n.
Defn: The office or dignity of a rajah.
RAJPOOT; RAJPUT Raj`poot", Raj`put", n. Etym: [Hind. raj-put, Skr. raja-putra king's son.]