Chapter 406

Defn: The expense chargeable on a bill of exchange or draft which has been dishonored in a foreign country, and returned to the country in which it was made or indorsed, and then taken up. Bouvier. The rate of reëxchange is regulated with respect to the drawer, at the course of exchange between the place where the bill of exchange was payable, and the place where it was drawn. Reëxchange can not be cumulated. Walsh.

REEXHIBITRe`ëx*hib"it (r`gz*b"t or -ks*hb"t) v. t.

Defn: To exhibit again.

REEXPELRe`ëx*pel" (r`ks*pl"), v. t.

Defn: To expel again.

REEXPERIENCERe`ëx*pe"ri*ence (-p`r-ens), n.

Defn: A renewed or repeated experience.

REEXPORTRe`ëx*port" (-prt"), v. t.

Defn: To export again, as what has been imported.

REEXPORTRe*ëx"port (r*ks"prt), n/

Defn: Any commodity reëxported; — chiefly in the ptural.

REEXPORTATIONRe*ëx`por*ta"tion (-pr*t"shn), n.

Defn: The act of reëxporting, or of exporting an import. A. Smith.

REEXPULSIONRe`ëx*pul"sion (r`ks*pl"shn), n.

Defn: Renewed or repeated expulsion. Fuller.

REEXPULSIONRe`ëx*pul"sion (r`ks*pl"shn), n.

Defn: Renewed or repeated expulsion. Fuller.

REEZEDReezed (rzd), a.

Defn: Grown rank; rancid; rusty. [Obs.] "Reezed bacon." Marston.

REFACTIONRe*fac"tion (r*fk"shn), n. Etym: [See Refection.]

Defn: Recompense; atonemet; retribution. [Obs.] Howell.

REFAITRe*fait", n. [F.] (Card Playing)

Defn: A drawn game; specif. (Trente et quarante),

Defn: a state of the game in which the aggregate pip value of cards dealt to red equals that of those dealt to black. All bets are then off; unless the value is 31, in which case the banker wins half the stakes.

REFARRe*far" (r*fr"), v. t. Etym: [Cf. F. refaire to do over again.]

Defn: To go over again; to repeat. [Obs.]To him therefore this wonder done refar. Fairfax.

REFASHIONRe*fash"ion (r*fsh"n), v. t.

Defn: To fashion anew; to form or mold into shape a second time.MacKnight.

REFASHIONMENTRe*fash"ion*ment (-ment), n.

Defn: The act of refashioning, or the state of being refashioned.[R.] Leigh Hunt.

REFASTENRe*fas"ten (r*fs"'n), v. t.

Defn: To fasten again.

REFECT Re*fect" (r*fkt), v. t. Etym: [L. refectus, p. p. of reficere; pref. re- re- + facere to make.]

Defn: To restore after hunger or fatique; to refresh. [Archaic] SirT. Browne.

REFECTIONRe*fec"tion (r*fk"shn), n. Etym: [L. refectio: cf. F. réfection. SeeRefect, Fact.]

Defn: Refreshment after hunger or fatique; a repast; a lunch.[His] feeble spirit inly felt refection. Spenser.Those Attic nights, and those refections of the gods. Curran.

REFECTIVERe*fec"tive (r*fk"tv), a.

Defn: Refreshing; restoring.

REFECTIVERe*fec"tive, n.

Defn: That which refreshes.

REFECTORY Re*fec"to*ry (-t*r), n.; pl.; Refectories (-r. Etym: [LL. refectorium: cf. F. réfectoire. See Refection.]

Defn: A room for refreshment; originally, a dining hall in monasteries or convents.

Note: Sometimes pronounced r, especially when signifying the eating room in monasteries.

REFEL Re*fel" (r*fl"), v. t. Etym: [L. refellere; pref. re- re- + fallere to deceive.]

Defn: To refute; to disprove; as, to refel the tricks of a sophister.[Obs.]How he refelled me, and how I replied. Shak.

REFERRe*fer" (r*fr"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Referred (-frd); p. pr. & vb. n.Referring.] Etym: [F. référer, L. referre; pref. re- re- + ferre tobear. See Bear to carry.]

1. To carry or send back. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. Hence: To send or direct away; to send or direct elsewhere, as for treatment, aid, infirmation, decision, etc.; to make over, or pass over, to another; as, to refer a student to an author; to refer a beggar to an officer; to refer a bill to a committee; a court refers a matter of fact to a commissioner for investigation, or refers a question of law to a superior tribunal.

3. To place in or under by a mental or rational process; to assign to, as a class, a cause, source, a motive, reason, or ground of explanation; as, he referred the phenomena to electrical disturbances. To refer one's self, to have recourse; to betake one's self; to make application; to appeal. [Obs.] I'll refer me to all things sense. Shak.

REFERRe*fer", v. i.

1. To have recourse; to apply; to appeal; to betake one's self; as, to refer to a dictionary. In suits . . . it is to refer to some friend of trust. Bacon.

2. To have relation or reference; to relate; to point; as, the figure refers to a footnote. Of those places that refer to the shutting and opening the abyss, I take notice of that in Job. Bp. Burnet.

3. To carry the mind or throught; to direct attention; as, the preacher referrd to the late election.

4. To direct inquiry for information or a quarantes of any kind, as in respect to one's integrity, capacity, pecuniary ability, and the like; as, I referred to his employer for the truth of his story.

Syn. — To allude; advert; suggest; appeal. Refer, Allude, Advert. We refer to a thing by specifically and distinctly introducing it into our discourse. We allude to it by introducing it indirectly or indefinitely, as by something collaterally allied to it. We advert to it by turning off somewhat abruptly to consider it more at large. Thus, Macaulay refers to the early condition of England at the opening of his history; he alludes to these statements from time to time; and adverts, in the progress of his work, to various circumstances of pecullar interest, on which for a time he dwells. "But to do good is . . . that that Solomon chiefly refers to in the text." Sharp. "This, I doubt not, was that artificial structure here alluded to." T. Burnet. Now to the universal whole advert: The earth regard as of that whole a part. Blackmore.

REFERABLERef"er*a*ble (rf"r**b'l), a.

Defn: Capable of being referred, or considered in relation to something else; assignable; ascribable. [Written also referrible.] It is a question among philosophers, whether all the attractions which obtain between bodies are referable to one general cause. W. Nicholson.

REFEREERef`er*ee" (-, n.

Defn: One to whom a thing is referred; a person to whom a matter in dispute has been referred, in order that he may settle it.

Syn.— Judge; arbitrator; umpire. See Judge.

REFERENCERef"er*ence (rf"r-ens), n. Etym: [See Refer.]

1. The act of referring, or the state of being referred; as, reference to a chart for quidance.

2. That which refers to something; a specific direction of the attention; as, a reference in a text-book.

3. Relation; regard; respect. Something that hath a reference to my state. Shak.

4. One who, or that which, is referred to. Specifically; (a) One of whom inquires can be made as to the integrity, capacity, and the like, of another. (b) A work, or a passage in a work, to which one is referred.

5. (Law) (a) The act of submitting a matter in dispute to the judgment of one or more persons for decision. (b) (Equity)

Defn: The process of sending any matter, for inquiry in a cause, to a master or other officer, in order that he may ascertain facts and report to the court.

6. Appeal. [R.] "Make your full reference." Shak. Reference Bible, a Bible in which brief explanations, and references to parallel passages, are printed in the margin of the text.

REFERENDARYRef`er*en"da*ry (rf`r*n"d*r), n. Etym: [LL. referendarius, fr. L.referendus to be referred, gerundive of referre: cf. F. référendaire.See Refer.]

1. One to whose decision a cause is referred; a referee. [Obs.] Bacon.

2. An officer who delivered the royal answer to petitions. "Referendaries, or masters of request." Harmar.

3. Formerly, an officer of state charged with the duty of procuring and dispatching diplomas and decrees.

REFERENDUMRef`er*en"dum (rf`r*n"dm), n. Etym: [Gerundive fr. L. referre. SeeRefer.]

1. A diplomatic agent's note asking for instructions from his government concerning a particular matter or point.

2. The right to approve or reject by popular vote a meassure passed upon by a legislature.

REFERENTIALRef`er*en"tial (-shal), a.

Defn: Containing a reference; pointing to something out of itself; as, notes for referential use. — Ref`er*en"tial*ly, adv.

REFERMENTRe*fer"ment (r*fr"ment), n.

Defn: The act of referring; reference. Laud.

REFERMENTRe`*fer*ment" (r, v. t. & i.

Defn: To ferment, or cause to ferment, again. Blackmore.

RE-FERMENTRe`-fer*ment" (r`fr*mnt"), v. t. & i.

Defn: To ferment, or cause to ferment, again. Blackmore.

REFERRERRe*fer"rer (r*fr"rr), n.

Defn: One who refers.

REFERRIBLERe*fer"ri*ble (-r*b'l), a.

Defn: Referable. Hallam.

REFIGURERe*fig"ure (r*fg"r), v. t.

Defn: To figure again. Shak.

REFILLRe*fill" (r*fl"), v. t. & i.

Defn: To fill, or become full, again.

REFINDRe*find" (r*fnd), v. t.

Defn: To find again; to get or experience again. Sandys.

REFINE Re*fine" (r*fn"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Refined (-find"); p. pr. & vb. n. Refining.] Etym: [Pref. re- + fine to make fine: cf. F. raffiner.]

1. To reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; to free from impurities; to free from dross or alloy; to separate from extraneous matter; to purify; to defecate; as, to refine gold or silver; to refine iron; to refine wine or sugar. I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined. Zech. xiii. 9.

2. To purify from what is gross, coarse, vulgar, inelegant, low, and the like; to make elegant or exellent; to polish; as, to refine the manners, the language, the style, the taste, the intellect, or the moral feelings. Love refines The thoughts, and heart enlarges. Milton.

Syn.— To purify; clarify; polish; ennoble.

REFINERe*fine", v. i.

1. To become pure; to be cleared of feculent matter. So the pure, limpid stream, when foul with stains, Works itself clear, and, as it runs, refines. Addison.

2. To improve in accuracy, delicacy, or excellence. Chaucer refined on Boccace, and mended his stories. Dryden. But let a lord once own the happy lines, How the wit brightens! How the style refines! Pope.

3. To affect nicety or subtilty in thought or language. "He makes another paragraph about our refining in controversy." Atterbury.

REFINEDRe*fined" (-fnd"), a.

Defn: Freed from impurities or alloy; purifed; polished; cultured;delicate; as; refined gold; refined language; refined sentiments.Refined wits who honored poesy with their pens. Peacham.— Re*fin"ed*ly (r, adv.— Re*fin"ed*ness, n.

REFINEMENTRe*fine"ment (r*fn"ment), n. Etym: [Cf. F. raffinement.]

1. The act of refining, or the state of being refined; as, the refinement or metals; refinement of ideas. The more bodies are of kin to spirit in subtilty and refinement, the more diffusive are they. Norris. From the civil war to this time, I doubt whether the corruptions in our language have not equaled its refinements. Swift.

2. That which is refined, elaborated, or polished to excess; an affected subtilty; as, refinements of logic. "The refinements of irregular cunning." Rogers.

Syn. — Purification; polish; politeness; gentility; elegance; cultivation; civilization.

REFINERRe*fin"er (-fn"r), n.

Defn: One who, or that which, refines.

REFINERYRe*fin"er*y (-), n.; pl. Refineries (-. Etym: [Cf. F. raffinerie.]

1. The building and apparatus for refining or purifying, esp. metals and sugar.

2. A furnace in which cast iron is refined by the action of a blast on the molten metal.

REFITRe*fit" (r*ft"), v. t.

1. To fit or prepare for use again; to repair; to restore after damage or decay; as, to refit a garment; to refit ships of war. Macaulay.

2. To fit out or supply a second time.

REFITRe*fit", v. i.

Defn: To obtain repairs or supplies; as, the fleet returned to refit.

REFITMENTRe*fit"ment (-ment), n.

Defn: The act of refitting, or the state of being refitted.

REFIXRe*fix" (r*fks"), v. t.

Defn: To fix again or anew; to establish anew. Fuller.

REFLAMERe*flame" (r*flm"), v. i.

Defn: To kindle again into flame.

REFLECTRe*flect" (r*flkt"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reflected; p. pr. & vb. n.Reflecting.] Etym: [L. reflectere, reflexum; pref. re- re- + flectereto bend or turn. See Flexible, and cf. Reflex, v.]

1. To bend back; to give a backwaas, a mirror reflects rays of light; polished metals reflect heat. Let me mind the reader to reflect his eye on our quotations. Fuller. Bodies close together reflect their own color. Dryden.

2. To give back an image or likeness of; to mirror. Nature is the glass reflecting God, As by the sea reflected is the sun. Young.

REFLECTRe*flect" v. i.

1. To throw back light, heat, or the like; to return rays or beams.

2. To be sent back; to rebound as from a surface; to revert; to return. Whose virtues will, I hope, Reflect on Rome, as Titan's rays on earth. Shak.

3. To throw or turn back the thoughts upon anything; to contemplate. Specifically: To attend earnestly to what passes within the mind; to attend to the facts or phenomena of consciousness; to use attention or earnest thought; to meditate; especially, to think in relation to moral truth or rules. We can not be said to reflect upon any external object, except so far as that object has been previously perceived, and its image become part and parcel of our intellectual furniture. Sir W. Hamilton. All men are concious of the operations of their own minds, at all times, while they are awake, but there few who reflect upon them, or make them objects of thought. Reid. As I much reflected, much I mourned. Prior.

4. To cast reproach; to cause censure or dishonor. Errors of wives reflect on husbands still. Dryden. Neither do I reflect in the least upon the memory of his late majesty. Swift.

Syn. — To consider; think; cogitate; mediate; contemplate; ponder; muse; ruminate.

REFLECTEDRe*flect"ed, a.

1. Thrown back after striking a surface; as, reflected light, heat, sound, etc.

2. Hence: Not one's own; received from another; as, his glory was reflected glory.

3. Bent backward or outward; reflexed.

REFLECTENT Re*flect"ent (r*flkt"ent), a. Etym: [L. reflectens, p. pr. of reflectere. See Reflect.]

1. Bending or flying back; reflected. "The ray descendent, and the ray reflectent flying with so great a speed." Sir K. Digby.

2. Reflecting; as, a reflectent body. Sir K. Digby.

REFLECTIBLERe*flect"i*ble (-*b'l), a.

Defn: Capable of being reflected, or thrown back; reflexible.

REFLECTINGRe*flect"ing, a.

1. Throwing back light, heat, etc., as a mirror or other surface.

2. Given to reflection or serious consideration; reflective; contemplative; as, a reflecting mind. Reflecting circle, an astronomical instrument for measuring angless, like the sextant or Hadley's quadrant, by the reflection of light from two plane mirrors which it carries, and differing from the sextant chiefly in having an entire circle. — Reflecting galvanometer, a galvanometer in which the deflections of the needle are read by means of a mirror attached to it, which reflects a ray of light or the image of a scale; — called also mirror galvanometer. — Reflecting goniometer. See under Goniometer. — Reflecting telescope. See under Telescope.

REFLECTINGLYRe*flect"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: With reflection; also, with censure; reproachfully. Swift.

REFLECTIONRe*flec"tion (r*flk"shn), n. Etym: [L. reflexio: cf. F. réflexion.See Riflect.] [Written also reflexion.]

1. The act of reflecting, or turning or sending back, or the state of being reflected. Specifically: (a) The return of rays, beams, sound, or the like, from a surface. See Angle of reflection, below. The eye sees not itself, But by reflection, by some other things. Shak.

(b) The reverting of the mind to that which has already occupied it; continued consideration; meditation; contemplation; hence, also, that operation or power of the mind by which it is conscious of its own acts or states; the capacity for judging rationally, especially in view of a moral rule or standard. By reflection, . . . I would be understood to mean, that notice which the mind takes of its own operations, and the manner of them, by reason whereof there come to be ideas of these operations in the understanding. Locke. This delight grows and improves under thought and reflection. South.

2. Shining; brightness, as of the sun. [Obs.] Shak.

3. That which is produced by reflection. Specifically: (a) An image given back from a reflecting surface; a reflected counterpart. As the sun water we can bear, Yet not the sun, but his reflection, there. Dryden.

(b) A part reflected, or turned back, at an angle; as, the reflection of a membrane. (c) Result of meditation; thought or opinion after attentive consideration or contemplation; especially, thoughts suggested by truth. Job's reflections on his once flourishing estate did at the same time afflict and encourage him. Atterbury.

4. Censure; reproach cast. He died; and oh! may no reflection shed Its poisonous venom on the royal dead. Prior.

5. (Physiol.)

Defn: The transference of an excitement from one nerve fiber to another by means of the nerve cells, as in reflex action. See Reflex action, under Reflex. Angle of reflection, the angle which anything, as a ray of light, on leaving a reflecting surface, makes with the perpendicular to the surface. — Angle of total reflection. (Opt.) Same as Critical angle, under Critical.

Syn. — Meditation; contemplation; rumination; cogitation; consideration; musing; thinking.

REFLECTIVERe*flect"ive (r*flkt"v), a. Etym: [Cf. F. réflectif. Cf. Reflexive.]

1. Throwing back images; as, a reflective mirror. In the reflective stream the sighing bride, viewing her charms. Prior.

2. Capable of exercising thought or judgment; as, reflective reason. Prior. His perceptive and reflective faculties . . . thus acquired a precocious and extraordinary development. Motley.

3. Addicted to introspective or meditative habits; as, a reflective person.

4. (Gram.)

Defn: Reflexive; reciprocal.— Re*flect"ive*ly, adv.— Re*flect"ive*ness, n. "Reflectiveness of manner." J. C. Shairp.

REFLECTORRe*flect"or (-er), n. Etym: [Cf. F. réflecteur.]

1. One who, or that which, reflects. Boyle.

2. (Physics) (a) Something having a polished surface for reflecting light or heat, as a mirror, a speculum, etc. (b) A reflecting telescope. (c) A device for reflecting sound.

REFLETRe*flet" (re*fle"), n. [F., reflection. See Reflect.]

Defn: Luster; special brilliancy of surface; — used esp. in ceramics to denote the peculiar metallic brilliancy seen in lustered pottery such as majolica; as, silver reflet; gold reflet.

REFLEX Re"flex (r"flks), a. Etym: [L. reflexus, p. p. of reflectere: cf. F. réflexe. See Reflect.]

1. Directed back; attended by reflection; retroactive; introspective. The reflex act of the soul, or the turning of the intellectual eye inward upon its own actions. Sir M. Hale.

2. Produced in reaction, in resistance, or in return.

3. (Physiol.)

Defn: Of, pertaining to, or produced by, stimulus or excitation without the necessary intervention of consciousness. Reflex action (Physiol.), any action performed involuntarily in consequence of an impulse or impression transmitted along afferent nerves to a nerve center, from which it is reflected to an efferent nerve, and so calls into action certain muscles, organs, or cells. — Reflex nerve (Physiol.), an excito-motory nerve. See Exito- motory.

REFLEX Re"flex (r"flks; formerly r*flks"), n. Etym: [L. reflexus a bending back. See Reflect.]

1. Reflection; the light reflected from an illuminated surface to onein shade.Yon gray is not the morning's eye, 'Tis but the pale reflex ofCynthia's brow. Shak.On the depths of death there swims The reflex of a human face.Tennyson.

2. (Physiol.)

Defn: An involuntary movement produced by reflex action. Patellar reflex. See Knee jerk, under Knee.

REFLEXRe*flex" (r*flks"), v. t. Etym: [L. reflexus, p. p. of reflectere.See Reflect.]

1. To reflect. [Obs.] Shak.

2. To bend back; to turn back. J. Gregory.

REFLEXEDRe*flexed" (r*flkst"), a.

Defn: Bent backward or outward.

REFLEXIBILITYRe*flex`i*bil"i*ty (r*flks`*bl"*t), n. Etym: [Cf. F. réflexibilité.]

Defn: The quality or capability of being reflexible; as, the reflexibility of the rays of light. Sir I. Newton.

REFLEXIBLERe*flex"i*ble (r*flks"*b'l), a. Etym: [CF. F. réflexible.]

Defn: Capable of being reflected, or thrown back. The light of the sun consists of rays differently refrangible and reflexible. Cheyne.

REFLEXIONRe*flex"ion (-flk"shn), n.

Defn: See Reflection. Chaucer.

REFLEXITYRe*flex"i*ty (r*flks"*t), n.

Defn: The state or condition of being reflected. [R.]

REFLEXIVERe*flex"ive (-v), a.

1. Etym: [Cf. F. réflexif.]

Defn: Bending or turned backward; reflective; having respect tosomething past.Assurance reflexive can not be a divine faith. Hammond.

2. Implying censure. [Obs.] "What man does not resent an ugly reflexive word" South.

3. (Gram.)

Defn: Having for its direct object a pronoun which refers to the agent or subject as its antecedent; — said of certain verbs; as, the witness perjured himself; I bethought myself. Applied also to pronouns of this class; reciprocal; reflective. — Re*flex"ive*ly, adv. — Re*flex"ive*ness, n.

REFLEXIVERe*flex"ive, adv.

Defn: In a reflex manner; reflectively.

REFLEXLYRe*flex"ly, adv.

Defn: In a reflex manner; reflectively.

REFLOATRe"float (r"flt), n.

Defn: Reflux; ebb. [Obs.] Bacon.

REFLORESCENCERe`flo*res"cence (r`fl*rs"sens), n. (Bot.)

Defn: A blossoming anew of a plant after it has apparently ceased blossoming for the season.

REFLOURISHRe*flour"ish (r*flr"sh), v. t. & i.

Defn: To flourish again.

REFLOWRe*flow" (r*fl"), v. i.

Defn: To flow back; to ebb.

REFLOWERRe*flow"er (re*flou"er), v. i. & t.

Defn: To flower, or cause to flower, again. Sylvester.

REFLUCTUATIONRe*fluc`tu*a"tion (r*flk`t*"shn; 135), n.

Defn: A flowing back; refluence.

REFLUENCE; REFLUENCYRef"lu*ence, Ref"lu*en*cy, n.

Defn: The quality of being refluent; a flowing back.

REFLUENT Ref"lu*ent (-ent), a. Etym: [L. refluens, p. pr. of refluere to flow back; pref. re- re- + fluere to flow. See Flurent.]

Defn: Flowing back; returning; ebbing. Cowper.And refluent through the pass of fear The battle's tide was poured.Sir W. Scott.

REFLUEUSRef"lu*eus (-s), a. Etym: [L. refluus.]

Defn: Refluent. [Obs.]

REFLUXRe"flux` (r"flks`), a.

Defn: Returning, or flowing back; reflex; as, reflux action.

REFLUXRe"flux`, n. Etym: [F. reflux. See Refluent, Flux.]

Defn: A flowing back, as the return of a fluid; ebb; reaction; as, the flux and reflux of the tides. All from me Shall with a fierce reflux on me redound. Milton.

REFOCILLATE Re*foc"il*late (r*fs"l*lt), v. t. Etym: [L. refocillatus, p. p. of refocillare; pref. re- re- + focillare to revive by warmth.]

Defn: To refresh; to revive. [Obs.] Aubrey.

REFOCILLATIONRe*foc`il*la"tion (-l"shn), n.

Defn: Restoration of strength by refreshment. [Obs.] Middleton.

REFOLDRe*fold" (r*fld"), v. t.

Defn: To fold again.

REFOMENTRe`fo*ment" (r`f*mnt"), v. t.

Defn: To foment anew.

REFORESTRe*for"est, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reforested; p. pr. & vb. n.Reforesting.]

Defn: To replant with trees; to reafforest; to reforestize.

REFORESTIZATIONRe*for`est*i*za`tion (r*fr`st**z"shn), n.

Defn: The act or process of reforestizing.

REFORESTIZERe*for"est*ize (r*fr"st*z), v. t.

Defn: To convert again into a forest; to plant again with trees.

REFORGERe*forge" (r*frj"), v. t. Etym: [Pref. re- + forge: cf. F. reforger.]

Defn: To forge again or anew; hence, to fashion or fabricate anew; to make over. Udall.

REFORGERRe*for"ger (r*fr"jr), n.

Defn: One who reforges.

REFORM Re*form" (r*frm"), v. t. Etym: [F. réformer, L. reformare; pref. re- re- + formare to form, from forma form. See Form.]

Defn: To put into a new and improved form or condition; to restore to a former good state, or bring from bad to good; to change from worse to better; to amend; to correct; as, to reform a profligate man; to reform corrupt manners or morals. The example alone of a vicious prince will corrupt an age; but that of a good one will not reform it. Swift.

Syn. — To amend; correct; emend; rectify; mend; repair; better; improve; restore; reclaim.

REFORMRe*form", v. i.

Defn: To return to a good state; to amend or correct one's own character or habits; as, a man of settled habits of vice will seldom reform.

REFORMRe*form", n. Etym: [F. réforme.]

Defn: Amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved; reformation; as, reform of elections; reform of government. Civil service reform. See under Civil. — Reform acts (Eng. Politics), acts of Parliament passed in 1832, 1867, 1884, 1885, extending and equalizing popular representation in Parliament. — Reform school, a school established by a state or city government, for the confinement, instruction, and reformation of juvenile offenders, and of young persons of idle, vicious, and vagrant habits. [U. S.]

Syn.— Reformation; amendment; rectification; correction. SeeReformation.

RE-FORM Re-form" (r*frm"), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Re-formed (-frmd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Re-forming.]

Defn: To give a new form to; to form anew; to take form again, or to take a new form; as, to re-form the line after a charge.

REFORMABLERe*form"a*ble (r*frm"*b'l), a.

Defn: Capable of being reformed. Foxe.

REFORMADERef`or*made" (rf`r*md"), n.

Defn: A reformado. [Obs.]

REFORMADORef`or*ma"do (-m"d), n. Etym: [Sp., fr. reformar, L. reformare. SEeReform, v. t.]

1. A monk of a reformed order. [Obs.] Weever.

2. An officer who, in disgrace, is deprived of his command, but retains his rank, and sometimes his pay. [Obs.]

REFORMALIZERe*form"al*ize (r*frm"al*z), v. i.

Defn: To affect reformation; to pretend to correctness. [R.]

REFORMATION Ref`or*ma"tion (rf`r*m"shn), n. Etym: [F. réformation, L. reformatio.]

1. The act of reforming, or the state of being reformed; change from worse to better; correction or amendment of life, manners, or of anything vicious or corrupt; as, the reformation of manners; reformation of the age; reformation of abuses. Satire lashes vice into reformation. Dryden.

2. Specifically (Eccl. Hist.), the important religious movement commenced by Luther early in the sixteenth century, which resulted in the formation of the various Protestant churches.

Syn. — Reform; amendment; correction; rectification. — Reformation, Reform. Reformation is a more thorough and comprehensive change than reform. It is applied to subjects that are more important, and results in changes which are more lasting. A reformation involves, and is followed by, many particular reforms. "The pagan converts mention this great reformation of those who had been the greatest sinners, with that sudden and surprising change which the Christian religion made in the lives of the most profligate." Addison. "A variety of schemes, founded in visionary and impracticable ideas of reform, were suddenly produced." Pitt.

RE-FORMATIONRe`-for*ma"tion (r`fr*m"shn), n.

Defn: The act of forming anew; a second forming in order; as, the reformation of a column of troops into a hollow square.

REFORMATIVERe*form"a*tive (r*frm"*tv), a.

Defn: Forming again; having the quality of renewing form; reformatory. Good.

REFORMATORYRe*form"a*to*ry (-t*r), a.

Defn: Tending to produce reformation; reformative.

REFORMATORYRe*form"a*to*ry, n.; pl. -ries (-r.

Defn: An institution for promoting the reformation of offenders. Magistrates may send juvenile offenders to reformatories instead of to prisons. Eng. Cyc.

REFORMEDRe*formed" (r*frmd"), a.

1. Corrected; amended; restored to purity or excellence; said, specifically, of the whole body of Protestant churches originating in the Reformation. Also, in a more restricted sense, of those who separated from Luther on the doctrine of consubstantiation, etc., and carried the Reformation, as they claimed, to a higher point. The Protestant churches founded by them in Switzerland, France, Holland, and part of Germany, were called the Reformed churches. The town was one of the strongholds of the Reformed faith. Macaulay.

2. Amended in character and life; as, a reformed gambler or drunkard.

3. (Mil.)

Defn: Retained in service on half or full pay after the disbandment of the company or troop; — said of an officer. [Eng.]

REFORMERRe*form"er (r*frm"r), n.

1. One who effects a reformation or amendment; one who labors for, or urges, reform; as, a reformer of manners, or of abuses.

2. (Eccl.Hist.)

Defn: One of those who commenced the reformation of religion in the sixteenth century, as Luther, Melanchthon, Zwingli, and Calvin.

REFORMISTRe*form"ist, n. Etym: [Cf. F. réformiste.]

Defn: A reformer.

REFORMLYRe*form"ly, adv.

Defn: In the manner of a reform; for the purpose of reform. [Obs.]Milton.

REFORTIFICATIONRe*for`ti*fi*ca"tion (r*fr`t*f*k"shn), n.

Defn: A fortifying anew, or a second time. Mitford.

REFORTIFYRe*for"ti*fy (r*fr"t*f), v. t.

Defn: To fortify anew.

REFOSSION Re*fos"sion (r*fsh"n), n. Etym: [L. refodere, refossum, to dig up again. See Fosse.]

Defn: The act of digging up again. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

REFOUND Re*found" (r*found"), v. t. Etym: [Pref. re- + found to cast; cf. F. refondare. Cf. Refund.]

1. To found or cast anew. "Ancient bells refounded." T. Warton.

2. To found or establish again; to re

REFOUNDRe*found",

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Refind, v. t.

REFOUNDERRe*found"er (-r), n.

Defn: One who refounds.

REFRACT Re*fract" (r*fr$kt"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Refracted; p. pr. & vb. n. Refracting.] Etym: [L. refractus, p. p. of refringere; pref. re- re- + frangere to break: cf. F. réfracter. SEe FRacture, and cf. Refrain, n.]

1. To bend sharply and abruptly back; to break off.

2. To break the natural course of, as rays of light orr heat, when passing from one transparent medium to another of different density; to cause to deviate from a direct course by an action distinct from reflection; as, a dense medium refrcts the rays of light as they pass into it from a rare medium.

REFRACTABLERe*fract"a*ble (-*b'l), a.

Defn: Capable of being refracted.

REFRACTEDRe*fract"ed, a.

1. (Bot. & Zoöl.)

Defn: Bent backward angularly, as if half-broken; as, a refracted stem or leaf.

2. Turned from a direct course by refraction; as, refracted rays of light.

REFRACTINGRe*fract"ing, a.

Defn: Serving or tending to refract; as, a refracting medium. Refracting angle of a prism (Opt.), the angle of a triangular prism included between the two sides through which the refracted beam passes in the decomposition of light. — Refracting telescope. (Opt.) See under Telescope.

REFRACTIONRe*frac"tion (r*frk"shn), n. Etym: [F. réfraction.]

1. The act of refracting, or the state of being refracted.

2. The change in the direction of ray of light, heat, or the like, when it enters obliquely a medium of a different density from that through which it has previously moved. Refraction out of the rarer medium into the denser, is made towards the perpendicular. Sir I. Newton.

3. (Astron.) (a) The change in the direction of a ray of light, and, consequently, in the apparent position of a heavenly body from which it emanates, arising from its passage through the earth's atmosphere; — hence distinguished as atmospheric refraction, or astronomical refraction. (b) The correction which is to be deducted from the apparent altitude of a heavenly body on account of atmospheric refraction, in order to obtain the true altitude. Angle of refraction (Opt.), the angle which a refracted ray makes with the perpendicular to the surface separating the two media traversed by the ray. — Conical refraction (Opt.), the refraction of a ray of light into an infinite number of rays, forming a hollow cone. This occurs when a ray of light is passed through crystals of some substances, under certain circumstances. Conical refraction is of two kinds; external conical refraction, in which the ray issues from the crystal in the form of a cone, the vertex of which is at the point of emergence; and internal conical refraction, in which the ray is changed into the form of a cone on entering the crystal, from which it issues in the form of a hollow cylinder. This singular phenomenon was first discovered by Sir W. R. Hamilton by mathematical reasoning alone, unaided by experiment. — Differential refraction (Astron.), the change of the apparent place of one object relative to a second object near it, due to refraction; also, the correction required to be made to the observed relative places of the two bodies. — Double refraction (Opt.), the refraction of light in two directions, which produces two distinct images. The power of double refraction is possessed by all crystals except those of the isometric system. A uniaxial crystal is said to be optically positive (like quartz), or optically negative (like calcite), or to have positive, or negative, double refraction, according as the optic axis is the axis of least or greatest elasticity for light; a biaxial crystal is similarly designated when the same relation holds for the acute bisectrix. — Index of refraction. See under Index. — Refraction circle (Opt.), an instrument provided with a graduated circle for the measurement of refraction. — Refraction of latitude, longitude, declination, right ascension, etc., the change in the apparent latitude, longitude, etc., of a heavenly body, due to the effect of atmospheric refraction. — Terrestrial refraction, the change in the apparent altitude of a distant point on or near the earth's surface, as the top of a mountain, arising from the passage of light from it to the eye through atmospheric strata of varying density.

REFRACTIVERe*fract"ive (r*frkt"v), a. Etym: [Cf. F. réfractif. See Refract.]

Defn: Serving or having power to refract, or turn from a direct course; pertaining to refraction; as, refractive surfaces; refractive powers. Refractive index. (Opt.) See Index of refraction, under Index. — Absolute refractive index (Opt.), the index of refraction of a substances when the ray passes into it from a vacuum. — Relative refractive index (of two media) (Opt.), the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction for a ray passing out of one of the media into the other.

REFRACTIVENESSRe*fract"ive*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or condition of being refractive.

REFRACTOMETERRe`frac*tom"e*ter (r`frk*tm"*tr), n. Etym: [Refraction + -meter.](Opt.)

Defn: A contrivance for exhibiting and measuring the refraction of light.

REFRACTORRe*fract"or (r, n.

Defn: Anything that refracts; specifically: (Opt.)

Defn: A refracting telescope, in which the image to be viewed is formed by the refraction of light in passing through a convex lens.

REFRACTORILYRe*frac"to*ri*ly (r*frk"t*r*l), adv.

Defn: In a refractory manner; perversely; obstinately.

REFRACTORINESSRe*frac"to*ri*ness, n.

Defn: The quality or condition of being refractory.

REFRACTORY Re*frac"to*ry (-r), a. Etym: [L. refractorius, fr. refringere: cf. F. refractaire. See Refract.]

1. Obstinate in disobedience; contumacious; stubborn; unmanageable; as, a refractory child; a refractory beast. Raging appetites that are Most disobedient and refractory. Shak.

2. Resisting ordinary treatment; difficult of fusion, reduction, or the like; — said especially of metals and the like, which do not readily yield to heat, or to the hammer; as, a refractory ore.

Syn. — Perverse; contumacious; unruly; stubborn; obstinate; unyielding; ungovernable; unmanageable.

REFRACTORYRe*frac"to*ry, n.

1. A refractory person. Bp. Hall.

2. Refractoriness. [Obs.] Jer. TAylor.

3. OPottery) A piece of ware covered with a vaporable flux and placed in a kiln, to communicate a glaze to the other articles. Knight.

REFRACTURERe*frac"ture (r*frk"tr;135), n. (Surg.)

Defn: A second breaking (as of a badly set bone) by the surgeon.

REFRACTURERe*frac"ture, v. t. (Surg.)

Defn: To break again, as a bone.

REFRAGABLE Ref"ra*ga*ble (rf"r*g*b'l), a. Etym: [LL. refragabilis, fr. L. refragari to oppose.]

Defn: Capable of being refuted; refutable. [R.] —Ref"ra*ga*ble*ness, n. [R.] — Ref`*ra*ga*bil"i*ty (-b, n. [R.]

REFRAGATERef"ra*gate (-gt), v. i. Etym: [L. refragatus, p. p. of refragor.]

Defn: To oppose. [R.] Glanvill.

REFRAIN Re*frain" (r*frn"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Refrained (-frnd"); p. pr. & vb/ n. Refraining.] Etym: [OE. refreinen, OF. refrener, F. refr, fr. L. refrenare; influenced by OF. refraindre to restrain, moderate, fr. LL. refrangere, for L. refringere to break up, break (see Refract). L. refrenare is fr. pref. re- back + frenum bridle; cf. Skr. dh to hold.]

1. To hold back; to restrain; to keep within prescribed bounds; tocurb; to govern.His reson refraineth not his foul delight or talent. Chaucer.Refrain thy foot from their path. Prov. i. 15.

2. To abstain from [Obs.] Who, requiring a remedy for his gout, received no other counsel than to refrain cold drink. Sir T. Browne.

REFRAINRe*frain", v. i.

Defn: To keep one's self from action or interference; to hold aloof;to forbear; to abstain.Refrain from these men, and let them alone. Acts v. 38.They refrained therefrom [eating flesh] some time after. Sir T.Browne.

Syn.— To hold back; forbear; abstain; withhold.

REFRAIN Re*frain", n. Etym: [F. refrain, fr. OF. refraindre; cf. Pr. refranhs a refrain, refranher to repeat. See Refract,Refrain, v.]

Defn: The burden of a song; a phrase or verse which recurs at the end of each of the separate stanzas or divisions of a poetic composition. We hear the wild refrain. Whittier.

REFRAINERRe*frain"er (r*frn"r), n.

Defn: One who refrains.

REFRAINMENTRe*frain"ment (-ment), n.

Defn: Act of refraining. [R.]

REFRAMERe*frame" (r*frm), v. t.

Defn: To frame again or anew.

REFRANGIBILITY Re*fran`gi*bil"i*ty (r*frn`j*bl"*t), n. Etym: [Cf. F. réfrangibilité.]

Defn: The quality of being refrangible.

REFRANGIBLERe*fran"gi*ble (-frn"j*b'l), a. Etym: [Cf. F. réfrangible. SeeRefract.]

Defn: Capable of being refracted, or turned out of a direct course, in passing from one medium to another, as rays of light. — Re*fran"gi*ble*ness, n.

REFRENATION Ref`re*na"tion (rf`r*n"shn), n. Etym: [L. refrenatio. See Refrain, v. t.]

Defn: The act of refraining. [Obs.]

REFRESH Re*fresh" (r*frsh"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Refreshed (-frsht"); p. pr. & vb. n. Refreshing.] Etym: [OE. refreshen, refreschen, OF. refreschir (cf. OF. rafraischir, rafreschir, F. rafra); pref. re- re- + fres fresh. F. frais. See Fresh, a.]

1. To make fresh again; to restore strength, spirit, animation, or the like, to; to relieve from fatigue or depression; to reinvigorate; to enliven anew; to reanimate; as, sleep refreshes the body and the mind. Chaucer. Foer they have refreshed my spirit and yours. 1 Cor. xvi. 18. And labor shall refresh itself with hope. Shak.

2. To make as if new; to repair; to restore. The rest refresh the scaly snakes that folDryden. To refresh the memory, to quicken or strengthen it, as by a reference, review, memorandum, or suggestion.

Syn. — To cool; refrigerate; invigorate; revive; reanimate; renovate; renew; restore; recreate; enliven; cheer.

REFRESHRe*fresh", n.

Defn: The act of refreshing. [Obs.] Daniel.

REFRESHERRe*fresh"er (-r), n.

1. One who, or that which, refreshes.

2. (Law)

Defn: An extra fee paid to counsel in a case that has been adjourned from one term to another, or that is unusually protracted. Ten guineas a day is the highest refresher which a counsel can charge. London Truth.

REFRESHFULRe*fresh"ful (-fl), a.

Defn: Full of power to refresh; refreshing.— Re*fresh"ful*ly, adv.

REFRESHINGRe*fresh"ing, a.

Defn: Reviving; reanimating.— Re*fresh"ing*ly, adv.— Re*fresh"ing*ness, n.

REFRESHMENT Re*fresh"ment (-ment), n. Etym: [CF. OF. refreschissement, F. rafraîchissement.]

1. The act of refreshing, or the state of being refreshed; restoration of strength, spirit, vigor, or liveliness; relief after suffering; new life or animation after depression.

2. That which refreshes; means of restoration or reanimation; especially, an article of food or drink.

REFRETRe*fret" (r*frt"), n. Etym: [OF. refret, L. refractus, p. p. SeeRefrain, n., Refract.]

Defn: Refrain. [Obs.] Bailey.

REFREYDRe*freyd" (r*frd"), v. t. Etym: [OF. refreidier.]

Defn: To chill; to cool. [Obs.]Refreyded by sickness . . . or by cold drinks. Chaucer.

REFRICATIONRef`ri*ca"tion (rf`r*k"shn), n. Etym: [L. refricare to rub again.]

Defn: A rubbing up afresh; a brightening. [Obs.]A continual refrication of the memory. Bp. Hall.

REFRIGERANT Re*frig"er*ant (r*frj"r-ant), a. Etym: [L. refrigerans, p. pr. of refrigerare: cf. F. réfrigérant. See Refrigerate.]

Defn: Cooling; allaying heat or fever. Bacon.

REFRIGERANTRe*frig"er*ant, n.

Defn: That which makes to be cool or cold; specifically, a medicine or an application for allaying fever, or the symptoms of fever; — used also figuratively. Holland. "A refrigerant to passion." Blair.

REFRIGERATE Re*frig"er*ate (-t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Refrigerated (-`td); p. pr. & vb. n. Refrigerating.] Etym: [L. refrigeratus, p. p. cf. refrigerare; pref. re- re- + grigerare to make cool, fr. fragus, frigoris, coolness. See Frigid.]

Defn: To cause to become cool; to make or keep cold or cool.

REFRIGERATION Re*frig`er*a"tion (-"shn), n. Etym: [Cf. F. réfrigération, L. refrigeratio.]

Defn: The act or process of refrigerating or cooling, or the state of being cooled.

REFRIGERATIVERe*frig"er*a*tive (r*frj"r**tv), a. Etym: [Cf. F. réfrigératif.]

Defn: Cooling; allaying heat.— n.

Defn: A refrigerant.Crazed brains should come under a refrigerative treatment. I. Taylor.

REFRIGERATORRe*frig"er*a`tor (-`tr), n.

Defn: That which refrigerates or makes cold; that which keeps cool. Specifically: (a) A box or room for keeping food or other articles cool, usually by means of ice. (b) An apparatus for rapidly cooling heated liquids or vapors, connected with a still, etc. Refrigerator car (Railroad), a freight car constructed as a refrigerator, for the transportation of fresh meats, fish, etc., in a temperature kept cool by ice.

REFRIGERATORYRe*frig"er*a*to*ry (-*t*r), a. Etym: [L. refrigeratorius.]

Defn: Mitigating heat; cooling.

REFRIGERATORY Re*frig"er*a*to*ry, n.; pl. -ries (-fr. Etym: [CF. F. réfrigératoire.]

Defn: That which refrigerates or cools. Specifically: (a) In distillation, a vessel filled with cold water, surrounding the worm, the vapor in which is thereby condensed. (b) The chamber, or tank, in which ice is formed, in an ice machine.

REFRIGERIUMRef`ri*ge"ri*um (rf`r*j"r*m), n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: Cooling refreshment; refrigeration. [Obs.] South.

REFRINGENCYRe*frin"gen*cy (r*frn"jen*s), n.

Defn: The power possessed by a substance to refract a ray; as, different substances have different refringencies. Nichol.

REFRINGENTRe*frin"gent (-jent), a. Etym: [L. refringens, p. pr. of refringere.See Refract.]

Defn: Pertaining to, or possessing, refringency; refractive; refracting; as, a refringent prism of spar. Nichol.

REFTReft (rft), imp. & p. p. of Reave.

Defn: Bereft.Reft of thy sons, amid thy foes forlorn. Heber.

REFTReft, n.

Defn: A chink; a rift. See Rift. Rom. of R.

REFUGE Ref"uge (rf"j), n. Etym: [F. réfuge, L. refugium, fr. refugere to flee back; pref. re- + figere. SEe Fugitive.]

1. Shelter or protection from danger or distress. Rocks, dens, and caves! But I in none of these Find place or refuge. Milton. We might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. Heb. vi. 18.

2. That which shelters or protects from danger, or from distress or calamity; a stronghold which protects by its strength, or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness; a place inaccessible to an enemy. The high hills are a refuger the wild goats. Ps. civ. 18. The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed. Ps. ix. 9.

3. An expedient to secure protection or defense; a device or contrivance. Their latest refuge Was to send him. Shak. Light must be supplied, among gracefulrefuges, by terracing Sir H. Wotton. Cities of refuge (Jewish Antiq.), certain cities appointed as places of safe refuge for persons who had committed homicide without design. Of these there were three on each side of Jordan. Josh. xx. — House of refuge, a charitable institution for giving shelter and protection to the homeless, destitute, or tempted.

Syn.— Shelter; asylum; retreat; covert.

REFUGERef"uge (rf"j), v. t.

Defn: To shelter; to protect. [Obs.]

REFUGEE Ref`u*gee" (rf`*j"), n. Etym: [F. réfugié, fr. se réfugier to take refuge. See Refuge, n.]

1. One who flees to a shelter, or place of safety.

2. Especially, one who, in times of persecution or political commotion, flees to a foreign power or country for safety; as, the French refugees who left France after the revocation of the edict of Nantes.

REFULGENCE; REFULGENCYRe*ful"gence, Re*ful"gen*cy, n. Etym: [L. refulgentia. SeeRefulgent.]

Defn: The quality of being refulgent; brilliancy; splender; radiance.

REFULGENTRe*ful"gent (r*fl"jent), a. Etym: [L. refulgens, p. pr. of refulgereto flash back, to shine bright; pref. re- re- + fulgere to shine. SeeFulgent.]

Defn: Casting a bright light; radiant; brilliant; resplendent;shining; splendid; as, refulgent beams.— Re*ful"gent*ly, adv.So conspicuous and refulgent a truth. Boyle.

REFUNDRe*fund" (r*fnd"), v. t. Etym: [Pref. re- + fund.]

Defn: To fund again or anew; to replace (a fund or loan) by a new fund; as, to refund a railroad loan.

REFUND Re*fund" (r*fnd"), v. t. Etym: [L. refundere; pref. re- re- + fundere to pour: cf. F. refondre, refonder. See Fuse to melt, and cf. Refound to cast again, 1st Refuse.]

1. To pour back. [R. & Obs.] Were the humors of the eye tinctured with any color, they would refund that color upon the object. Ray.

2. To give back; to repay; to restore. A governor, that had pillaged the people, was . . . sentenced to refund what he had wrongfully taken. L'Estrange.

3. To supply again with funds; to reimburse. [Obs.]

REFUNDERRe*fund"er (-r), n.

Defn: One who refunds.

REFUNDMENTRe*fund"ment (-ment), n.

Defn: The act of refunding; also, that which is refunded. [R.] Lamb.

REFURBISHRe*fur"bish (r*fr"bsh), v. t.

Defn: To furbish anew.

REFURNISHRe*fur"nish (-nsh), v. t.

Defn: To furnish again.

REFURNISHMENTRe*fur"nish*ment (-ment), n.

Defn: The act of refurnishing, or state of being refurnished.The refurnishment was in a style richer than before. L. Wallace.

REFUSABLERe*fus"a*ble (r*fz"*b'l), a. Etym: [Cf. F. refusable. See Refuse.]

Defn: Capable of being refused; admitting of refusal.

REFUSALRe*fus"al (-al), n.

1. The act of refusing; denial of anything demanded, solicited, or offered for acceptance. Do they not seek occasion of new quarrels, On my refusal, to distress me more Milton.

2. The right of taking in preference to others; the choice of taking or refusing; option; as, to give one the refusal of a farm; to have the refusal of an employment.

REFUSE Re*fuse" (r*fz"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Refused (-fzd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Refusing.] Etym: [F. refuser, either from (assumed) LL. refusare to refuse, v. freq. of L. refundere to pour back, give back, restore (see Refund to repay), or. fr. L. recusare to decline, refuse cf. Accuse, Ruse), influenced by L. refutare to drive back, repel, refute. Cf. Refute.]

1. To deny, as a request, demand, invitation, or command; to decline to do or grant. That never yet refused your hest. Chaucer.

2. (Mil.)

Defn: To throw back, or cause to keep back (as the center, a wing, or a flank), out of the regular aligment when troops aras, to refuse the right wing while the left wing attacks.

3. To decline to accept; to reject; to deny the request or petition of; as, to refuse a suitor. The cunning workman never doth refuse The meanest tool that he may chance to use. Herbert.

4. To disown. [Obs.] "Refuse thy name." Shak.

REFUSERe*fuse", v. i.

Defn: To deny compliance; not to comply.Too proud to ask, too humble to refuse. Garth.If ye refuse . . . ye shall be devoured with the sword. Isa. i. 20.

REFUSERe*fuse", n.

Defn: Refusal. [Obs.] Fairfax.

REFUSE Ref`use (rf"s;277), n. Etym: [F. refus refusal, also, that which is refused. See Refuse to deny.]

Defn: That which is refused or rejected as useless; waste or worthless matter.

Syn.— Dregs; sediment; scum; recrement; dross.

REFUSERef"use, a.

Defn: Refused; rejected; hence; left as unworthy of acceptance; of novalue; worthless.Everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. 1.Sam. xv. 9.

REFUSERRe*fus"er (r*fz"r), n.

Defn: One who refuses or rejects.

REFUSIONRe*fu"sion (r*f"zhn), n. Etym: [Pref. re-+ fusion.]

1. New or repeated melting, as of metals.

2. Restoration. "This doctrine of the refusion of the soul." Bp. Warbuton.

REFUTRef"ut (rf"t), n. Etym: [OF. refuite.]

Defn: Refuge. "Thou haven of refut." [Obs.] Chaucer.

REFUTABILITYRe*fut`a*bil"i*ty (r*ft`*bl"*t), n.

Defn: The quality of being refutable.

REFUTABLERe*fut"a*ble (r*ft"*b'l;277), a. Etym: [Cf. F. réfutable.]

Defn: Admitting of being refuted or disproved; capable of being proved false or erroneous.

REFUTALRe*fut"al (r*ft"al), n.

Defn: Act of refuting; refutation.

REFUTATION Ref`u*ta"tion (rf`*t"shn), n. Etym: [L. refutatio: cf. F. réfutation.]

Defn: The act or process of refuting or disproving, or the state of being refuted; proof of falsehood or error; the overthrowing of an argument, opinion, testimony, doctrine, or theory, by argument or countervailing proof. Same of his blunders seem rather to deserve a flogging than a refutation. Macaulay.

REFUTATORY Re*fut"a*to*ry (r*ft"*t*r), a. Etym: [L. refutatorius: cf. F. réfutatoire.]

Defn: Tending tu refute; refuting.

REFUTERe*fute" (r*F3t"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Refuted; p. pr. & vb. n.Refuting.] Etym: [F. réfuter, L. refuteare to repel, refute. Cf.Confute, Refuse to deny.]

Defn: To disprove and overthrow by argument, evidence, or countervailing proof; to prove to be false or erroneous; to confute; as, to refute arguments; to refute testimony; to refute opinions or theories; to refute a disputant. There were so many witnesses in these two miracles that it is impossible to refute such multitudes. Addison.

Syn.— To confute; disprove. See Confute.

REFUTERRe*fut"er (-ft"r), n.

Defn: One who, or that which, refutes.

REGAINRe*gain" (r*gn"), v. t. Etym: [Pref. re- + gain: cf. F. regagner.]

Defn: To gain anew; to get again; to recover, as what has escaped or been lost; to reach again.

Syn.— To recover; reobtain; repossess; retrieve.

REGALRe"gal (r"gal), a. Etym: [L. regalis, fr. rex, regis, a king. SeeRoyal, and cf. Rajah, Realm, Regalia.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to a king; kingly; royal; as, regal authority, pomp, or sway. "The regal title." Shak. He made a scorn of his regal oath. Milton.


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