Defn: To confine; to contract; to stringe. [Obs.]
RESTRINGENCYRe*strin"gen*cy, n.
Defn: Quality or state of being restringent; astringency. [Obs.] SirW. Petty.
RESTRINGENTRe*strin"gent, a. Etym: [L. restringens, p. pr.: cf. F. restringent.]
Defn: Restringing; astringent; styptic. [Obs.] — n.
Defn: A restringent medicine. [Obs.] Harvey.
RESTRIVERe*strive", v. i.
Defn: To strive anew.
RESTYRest"y, a.
Defn: Disposed to rest; indisposed toexercton; sluggish; also,restive. [Obs.] Burton.Where the master is too resty or too rich to say his own prayers.Milton.
RESUBJECTIONRe`sub*jec"tion, n.
Defn: A second subjection.
RESUBLIMERe`sub*lime", v. t.
Defn: To sublime again. Newton.— Re*sub`li*ma"tion, n.
RESUDATIONRe`su*da"tion, n. Etym: [L. resudare to sweat again. See Sudation.]
Defn: Act of sweating again.
RESULTRe*sult", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Resulted; p. pr. & vb. n. Resulting.]Etym: [F. résulter, fr. L. resultare, resultarum, to spring or leapback, v. intens. fr. resilire. See Resile.]
1. To leap back; to rebound. [Obs.] The huge round stone, resulting with a bound. Pope.
2. To come out, or have an issue; to terminate; to have consequences; — followed by in; as, this measure will result in good or in evil.
3. To proceed, spring, or rise, as a consequence, from facts, arguments, premises, combination of circumstances, consultation, thought, or endeavor. Pleasure and peace do naturally result from a holy and good life. Tillotson. Resulting trust (Law), a trust raised by implication for the benefit of a party granting an estate. The phrase is also applied to a trust raised by implication for the benefit of a party who advances the purchase money of an estate, etc. Bouvier. — Resulting use (Law), a use which, being limited by the deed, expires or can not vest, and thence returns to him who raised it. Bouvier.
Syn.— To proceed; spring; rise; arise; ensue; terminate.
RESULTRe*sult", n.
1. A flying back; resilience. [Obs.] Sound is produced between the string and the air by the return or the result of the string. Bacon.
2. That which results; the conclusion or end to which any course or condition of things leads, or which is obtained by any process or operation; consequence or effect; as, the result of a course of action; the result of a mathematical operation. If our proposals once again were heard, We should compel them to a quick result. Milton.
3. The decision or determination of a council or deliberative assembly; a resolve; a decree. Then of their session ended they bid cry With trumpet's regal sound the great result. Milton.
Syn.— Effect; consequence; conclusion; inference; issue; event. SeeEffect.
RESULTANCERe*sult"ance, n.
Defn: The act of resulting; that which results; a result. Donne.
RESULTANTRe*sult"ant, a. Etym: [L. resultans, p. pr. : cf. F. résultant.]
Defn: Resulting or issuing from a combination; existing or following as a result or consequence. Resultant force or motion (Mech.), a force which is the result of two or more forces acting conjointly, or a motion which is the result of two or more motions combined. See Composition of forces, under Composition.
RESULTANTRe*sult"ant, n.
Defn: That which results. Specifically: (a) (Mech.) A reultant force or motion. (b) (Math.) An eliminant. The resultant of homogeneous general functions of n variables is that function of their coefficients which, equaled to zero, expresses in the simplest terms the condition of the possibility of their existence. Sylvester.
RESULTATERe*sult"ate, n. Etym: [L. resultatus, p. p. ]
Defn: A result. [Obs.] "The resultate of their counsil." BAcon.
RESULTFULRe*sult"ful, a.
Defn: HAving results or effects.
RESULTIVERe*sult"ive, a.
Defn: Resultant. [Obs.] Fuller.
RESULTLESSRe*sult"less, a.
Defn: Being without result; as, resultless investigations.
RESUMABLERe*sum"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of, or admitting of, being resumed. Sir M. HAle.
RESUMERe`su"mé", n. Etym: [F. See Resume.]
Defn: A summing up; a condensed statement; an abridgment or briefrecapitulation.The exellent little résumé thereof in Dr. Landsborough's book. C.Kingsley.
RESUMERe*sume", v. t. [imp & p. p. Resumed;p. pr. & vb. n. Resuming.] Etym:[L. resumere, resumptum; pref. re- re- + sumere to take: cf. F.résumer. See Assume, Redeem.]
1. To take back. The sun, like this, from which our sight we have, Gazed on too long, resumes the light he gave. Denham. Perhaps God will resume the blessing he has bestowed ere he attains the age of manhood. Sir W. Scott.
2. To enter upon, or take up again. Reason resumed her place, and Passion fled. Dryden.
3. To begin again; to recommence, as something which has been interrupted; as, to resume an argument or discourse.
RESUMMONRe*sum"mon, v. t.
Defn: To summon again.
RESUMMONSRe*sum"mons, n.
Defn: A second summons.
RESUMPTION Re*sump"tion, n. Etym: [cf. F. résumption, L. resumptio restoration, recovery, fr. resumere. See Resume.]
1. The act of resuming; as, the resumption of a grant, of delegated powers, of an argument, of specie payments, etc.
2. (Eng.Law)
Defn: The taking again into the king's hands of such lands or tenements as he had granted to any man on false suggestions or other error.
RESUMPTIVERe*sump"tive, a. Etym: [cf. L. resumptivus restorative.]
Defn: Taking back; resuming, or tending toward resumption; as, resumptive measures.
RESUPINATE Re*su"pi*nate, a. Etym: [L. resupinatus, p. p. of resupinare to bend back. See Resupine.]
Defn: Inverted in position; appearing to be upside down or reversed, as the flowers of the orchis and the leaves of some plants.
RESUPINATEDRe*su"pi*na`ted, a.
Defn: Resupinate.
RESUPINATIONRe*su`pi*na"tion, n.
Defn: The state of luing on the back; the state of being resupinate,or reversed.Our Vitruvius calleth this affection in the eye a resupination of thefigure. Sir H. Wotton.
RESUPINE Re`su*pine", a. Etym: [L. resupinus; pref.re- re- + supinus bent backward, supine.]
Defn: Lying on the back; supine; hence, careless. Sir K. Digby. He spake, and, downward swayed, fell resupine, With his huge neck aslant. Cowper.
RESUPPLYRe`sup*ply", v. t.
Defn: To supply again.
RESURGENCERe*sur"gence, n.
Defn: The act of rising again; resurrection.
RESURGENTRe*sur"gent, a. Etym: [L. resurgens, -entis, p. pr. of resurgere. SeeResurrection.]
Defn: Rising again, as from the dead. Coleridge.
RESURGENTRe*sur"gent, n.
Defn: One who rises again, as from the dead. [R.] Sydney Smith.
RESURRECTRes`ur*rect", v. t. Etym: [See Resurrection.]
1. To take from the grave; to disinter. [Slang]
2. To reanimate; to restore to life; to bring to view (that which was forgotten or lost). [Slang]
RESURRECTION Res`ur*rec"tion, n. Etym: [F. résurrection, L. resurrectio, fr. resurgere, resurrectum, to rise again; pref. re- re- + surgere to rise. See Source.]
1. A rising again; the resumption of vigor.
2. Especially, the rising again from the dead; the resumption of life by the dead; as, the resurrection of Jesus Christ; the general resurrection of all the dead at the Day of Judgment. Nor after resurrection shall he stay Longer on earth. Milton.
3. State of being risen from the dead; future state. In the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage. Matt. xxii. 30.
4. The cause or exemplar of a rising from the dead. I am the resurrection, and the life. John xi. 25. Cross of the resurrection, a slender cross with a pennant floating from the junction of the bars. — Resurrection plant (Bot.), a name given to several species of Selaginella (as S. convoluta and S. lepidophylla), flowerless plants which, when dry, close up so as to resemble a bird's nest, but revive and expand again when moistened. The name is sometimes also given to the rose of Jericho. See under Rose.
RESURRECTIONISTRes`ur*rec"tion*ist, n.
Defn: One who steals bodies from the grave, as for dissection.[Slang]
RESURRECTIONIZERes`ur*rec"tion*ize, v. t.
Defn: To raise from the dead. [R.] Southey.
RESURVEYRe`sur*vey", v. t.
Defn: To survey again or anew; to review. Shak.
RESURVEYRe*sur"vey, n.
Defn: A second or new survey.
RESUSCITABLERe*sus"ci*ta*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of resuscitation; as, resuscitable plants. Boyle.
RESUSCITANTRe*sus"ci*tant, n.
Defn: One who, or that which resuscitates. Also used adjectively.
RESUSCITATE Re*sus"ci*tate, a. Etym: [L. resuscitatus, p. p. of resuscitare; pref. re- re- + suscitare to raise, rouse. See Suscitate.]
Defn: Restored to life. [R.] Bp. Gardiner.
RESUSCITATERe*sus"ci*tate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Resuscitated;p. pr. & vb. n.Resuscitating.]
Defn: To revivify; to revive; especially, to recover or restore from apparent death; as, to resuscitate a drowned person; to resuscitate withered plants.
RESUSCITATERe*sus"ci*tate, v. i.
Defn: To come to life again; to revive.These projects, however often slain, always resuscitate. J. S. Mill.
RESUSCITATIONRe*sus`ci*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. resuscitatio.]
Defn: The act of resuscitating, or state of being resuscitated.The subject of resuscitation by his sorceries. Sir W. Scott.
RESUSCITATIVERe*sus"ci*ta*tive, a.
Defn: Tending to resuscitate; reviving; revivifying.
RESUSCITATORRe*sus"ci*ta`tor, n. Etym: [L.]
Defn: One who, or that which, resuscitates.
RETRet, v. t.
Defn: See Aret. [Obs.] Chaucer.
RETRet, v. t. Etym: [Akin to rot.]
Defn: To prepare for use, as flax, by separating the fibers from the woody part by process of soaking, macerating, and other treatment. Ure.
RETABLERe*ta"ble, n. (Eccl.)
Defn: A shelf behind the altar, for display of lights, vases of wlowers, etc.
RETAIL Re"tail, n. Etym: [F. retaille piece cut off, shred, paring, or OF. retail, from retailler. See Retail, v.]
Defn: The sale of commodities in small quantities or parcels; — opposed to wholesale; sometimes, the sale of commodities at second hand.
RETAILRe"tail, a.
Defn: Done at retail; engaged in retailing commodities; as a retail trade; a retail grocer.
RETAILRe*tail", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retailed;p. pr. & vb. n. Retailing.]Etym: [Cf. F. retailler to cut again; pref. re- re + tailler to cut.See Retail, n., Tailor, and cf. Detail.]
1. To sell in small quantities, as by the single yard, pound, gallon, etc.; to sell directly to the consumer; as, to retail cloth or groceries.
2. To sell at second hand. [Obs. or R.] Pope.
3. To distribute in small portions or at second hand; to tell again or to many (what has been told or done); to report; as, to retail slander. "To whom I will retail my conquest won." Shak. He is wit's peddler, and retails his wares At wakes and wassails. Shak.
RETAILERRe*tail"er, n.
Defn: One who retails anything; as, a retailer of merchandise; a retailer of gossip.
RETAILMENTRe*tail"ment, n.
Defn: The act of retailing.
RETAINRe*tain", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retained; p. pr. & vb. n. Retaining.]Etym: [F. retainir, L. retinere; pref. re- re- + tenere to hold,keep. See Tenable, and cf. Rein of a bridle, Retention, Retinue.]
1. To continue to hold; to keep in possession; not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to retrain from departure, escape, or the like. "Thy shape invisibleretain." Shak. Be obedient, and retain Unalterably firm his love entire. Milton. An executor may retain a debt due to him from the testator. Blackstone.
2. To keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary fee paid; to hire; to engage; as, to retain a counselor. A Benedictine convent has now retained the most learned father of their order to write in its defense. Addison.
3. To restrain; to prevent. [Obs.] Sir W. Temple. Retaining wall (Arch. & Engin.), a wall built to keep any movable backing, or a bank of sand or earth, in its place; — called also retain wall.
Syn.— To keep; hold; retrain. See Keep.
RETAINRe*tain", v. i.
1. To belong; to pertain. [Obs.] A somewhat languid relish, retaining to bitterness. Boyle.
2. To keep; to continue; to remain. [Obs.] Donne.
RETAINABLERe*tain"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being retained.
RETAINALRe*tain"al, n.
Defn: The act of retaining; retention.
RETAINERRe*tain"er, n.
1. One who, or that which, retains.
2. One who is retained or kept in service; an attendant; an adherent; a hanger-on.
3. Hence, a servant, not a domestic, but occasionally attending and wearing his master's livery. Cowell.
4. (Law) (a) The act of a client by which he engages a lawyer or counselor to manage his cause. (b) The act of withholding what one has in his hands by virtue of some right. (c) A fee paid to engage a lawyer or counselor to maintain a cause, or to prevent his being employed by the opposing party in the case; — called also retaining fee. Bouvier. Blackstone.
5. The act of keeping dependents, or the state of being in dependence. Bacon.
RETAINMENTRe*tain"ment, n.
Defn: The act of retaining; retention. Dr. H. More.
RETAKERe*take", v. t.
1. To take or receive again.
2. To take from a captor; to recapture; as, to retake a ship or prisoners.
RETAKERRe*tak"er, n.
Defn: One who takes again what has been taken; a recaptor. Kent.
RETALIATERe*tal"i*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retaliated; p. pr. & vb. n.Retaliating.] Etym: [L. retaliatus, p. p. of retaliare to retaliate;pref. re- re- + a word akin to talio talion, retaliation. Cf.Talion.]
Defn: To return the like for; to repay or requite by an act of the same kind; to return evil for (evil). [Now seldom used except in a bad sense.] One ambassador sent word to the duke's son that his visit should be retaliated. Sir T. Herbert. It is unlucky to be obliged to retaliate the injuries of authors, whose works are so soon forgotten that we are in danger of appearing the first aggressors. Swift.
RETALIATERe*tal"i*ate, v. i.
Defn: To return like for like; specifically, to return evil for evil; as, to retaliate upon an enemy.
RETALIATIONRe*tal`i*a"tion, n.
Defn: The act of retaliating, or of returning like for like; retribution; now, specifically, the return of evil for evil; e.g., an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. God . . . takes what is done to others as done to himself, and by promise obloges himself to full retaliation. Calamy.
Syn.— Requital; reprisal; retribution; punishment.
RETALIATIVERe*tal"i*a*tive, a.
Defn: Same as Retaliatory.
RETALIATORYRe*tal"i*a*to*ry, a.
Defn: Tending to, or involving, retaliation; retaliative; as retaliatory measures.
RETARDRe*tard", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retarded; p. pr. & vb. n. Retarding.]Etym: [L. retardare, retardatum; pref. re- re- + tardare to makeslow, to delay, fr. tardus slow: cf. F. retarder. See Tardy.]
1. To keep delaying; to continue to hinder; to prevent from progress; to render more slow in progress; to impede; to hinder; as, to retard the march of an army; to retard the motion of a ship; — opposed to Ant: accelerate.
2. To put off; to postpone; as, to retard the attacks of old age; to retard a rupture between nations.
Syn. — To impede; hinder; obstruct; detain; delay; procrastinate; postpone; defer.
RETARDRe*tard", v. i.
Defn: To stay back. [Obs.] Sir. T. Browne.
RETARDRe*tard", n.
Defn: Retardation; delay. Retard, or Age, of the tide, the interval between the transit of the moon at which a tide originates and the appearance of the tide itself. It is found, in general, that any particular tide is not principally due to the moon's transit immediatelly proceeding, but to a transit which has occured some time before, and which is said to correspond to it. The retard of the tide is thus distinguished from the lunitidal interval. See under Retardation. rHam. Nav. Encyc.
RETARDATIONRe`tar*da"tion, n. Etym: [L. retardatio: cf. F. retardation.]
1. The act of retarding; hindrance; the act of delaying; as, the retardation of the motion of a ship; — opposed to Ant: acceleration. The retardations of our fluent motion. De Quinsey.
2. That which retards; an obstacle; an obstruction. Hills, sloughs, and other terrestrial retardations. Sir W. Scott.
3. (Mus.)
Defn: The keeping back of an approaching consonant chord by prolonging one or more tones of a previous chord into the intermediate chord which follows; — differing from suspension by resolving upwards instead of downwards.
4. The extent to which anything is retarded; the amount of retarding or delay. Retardation of the tide. (a) The lunitidal interval, or the hour angle of the moon at the time of high tide any port; the interval between the transit of the moon and the time of high tide next following. (b) The age of the tide; the retard of the tide. See under Retard, n.
RETARDATIVERe*tard"a*tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. retardatif.]
Defn: Tending, or serving, to retard.
RETARDERRe*tard"er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, retards.
RETARDMENTRe*tard"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. retardement.]
Defn: The act of retarding; retardation. Cowley.
RETCHRetch, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Retched; p. pr. & vb. n. Retching.] Etym:[AS. hr to clear the throat, hawk, fr. hraca throat; akin to G.rachen, and perhaps to E. rack neck.]
Defn: To make an effort to vomit; to strain, as in vomiting. [Writtenalso reach.]Beloved Julia, hear me still beseeching! (Here he grew inarticulatewith retching.) Byron.
RETCHRetch, v. t. & i. Etym: [See Reck.]
Defn: To care for; to heed; to reck. [Obs.] Chaucer.
RETCHLESSRetch"less, a.
Defn: Careless; reckless. [Obs.] Dryden. —- Retch"less*ly, adv.— Retch"less*ness, n. [Obs.]
RETERe"te, n. Etym: [L., a net.] (Anat.)
Defn: A net or network; a plexus; particularly, a network of blood vessels or nerves, or a part resembling a network.
RETECIOUSRe*te"cious, a. Etym: [L. rete a net.]
Defn: Resembling network; retiform.
RETECTION Re*tec"tion, n. Etym: [L. retegere, retectum, to uncover; pref. re- + tegere to cover.]
Defn: Act of disclosing or uncovering something concealed. [Obs.]Boyle.
RETELLRe*tell, v. t.
Defn: To tell again.
RETENERet"ene, n. Etym: [Gr. (Chem.)
Defn: A white crystalline hydrocarbon, polymeric with benzene. It is extracted from pine tar, and is also found in certain fossil resins.
RETENTRe*tent", n. Etym: [L. retentum, fr. retentus, p. p. See Retain.]
Defn: That which is retained. Hickok.
RETENTIONRe*ten"tion, n. Etym: [L. retentio: cf. F. rétention. See Retain.]
1. The act of retaining, or the state of being ratined.
2. The power of retaining; retentiveness. No woman's heart So big, to hold so much; they lack retention. Shak.
3. That which contains something, as a tablet; a [R.] Shak.
4. The act of withholding; retraint; reserve. Shak.
5. Place of custody or confinement.
6. (Law)
Defn: The right of withholding a debt, or of retaining property until a debt due to the person claiming the right be duly paid; a lien. Erskine. Craig. Retention cyst (Med.), a cyst produced by obstruction of a duct leading from a secreting organ and the consequent retention of the natural secretions.
RETENTIVERe*ten"tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. rétentif.]
Defn: Having power to retain; as, a retentive memory. Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, Can be retentive to the strength of spirit. Shak.
RETENTIVERe*ten"tive, n.
Defn: That which retains or confines; a restraint. [R.] Bp. Hall.
RETENTIVELYRe*ten"tive*ly, adv.
Defn: In a retentive manner.
RETENTIVENESSRe*ten"tive*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being retentive.
RETENTIVITYRe`ten*tiv"i*ty, n.
Defn: The power of retaining; retentive force; as, the retentivity of a magnet.
RETENTORRe*ten"tor, n. Etym: [L., a retainer.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A muscle which serves to retain an organ or part in place, esp. when retracted. See Illust. of Phylactolemata.
RETEPORERe`te*pore, n. Etym: [L. rete a net + porus pore.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of several species of bryozoans of the genus Retepora. They form delicate calcareous corals, usually composed of thin fenestrated fronds.
RETEX Re*tex", v. t. Etym: [L. retexere, lit., to unweave; pref. re- re + texere to weave. ]
Defn: To annual, as orders. [Obs.] Bp. Hacket.
RETEXTURERe*tex"ture, n.
Defn: The act of weaving or forming again. Carlyle.
RETHORReth"or, n. Etym: [Cf. F. rhéteur. See Rhetor.]
Defn: A rhetorician; a careful writer. [Obs.]If a rethor couthe fair endite. Chaucer.
RETHORYKEReth"o*ryke, n.
Defn: Rhetoric. [Obs.] Chaucer.
RETIARIUSRe`ti*a"ri*us, n. Etym: [L., fr. rete a net.] (Rom.Antiq.)
Defn: A gladiator armed with a net for entangling his adversary and a trident for despatching him.
RETIARYRe"ti*a*ry, n. Etym: [See Retiarius.]
1. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any spider which spins webs to catch its prey.
2. A retiarius.
RETIARYRe`ti*a*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. LL. retiarius.]
1. Netlike. This work is in retiary, or hanging textures. Sir T. Browne.
2. Constructing or using a web, or net, to catch prey; — said of certain spiders.
3. Armed with a net; hence, skillful to entangle. Scholastic retiary versatility of logic. Coleridge.
RETICENCERet"i*cence, n. Etym: [L. reticentia: cf. F. réticence.]
1. The quality or state of being reticent, or keeping silence; the state of holding one's tonque; refraining to speak of that which is suggested; uncommunicativeness. Such fine reserve and noble reticence. Tennyson.
2. (Rhet.)
Defn: A figure by which a person really speaks of a thing while he makes a show as if he would say nothingon the subject.
RETICENCYRet"i*cen*cy, n.
Defn: Reticence.
RETICENT Ret"i*cent, a. Etym: [L. reticens, p. pr. of reticere to keep silence; re- + tacere to be silent. See Tacit.]
Defn: Inclined to keep silent; reserved; uncommunicative.
RETICLERet"i*cle, n. Etym: [See Reticule.]
1. A small net.
2. A reticule. See Reticule,2. [R.]
RETICULARRe*tic"u*lar, a. Etym: [Cf. F. réticulaire. See Reticule.]
1. Having the form of a net, or of network; formed with interstices; retiform; as, reticular cartilage; a reticular leaf.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to a reticulum.
RETICULARIARe*tic`u*la"ri*a, n.pl. Etym: [NL. See Reticular.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: An extensive division of rhizopods in which the pseudopodia are more or less slender and coalesce at certain points, forming irregular meshes. It includes the shelled Foraminifera, together with some groups which lack a true shell.
RETICULARIANRe*tic`u*la"ri*an, n. (Zoöl).
Defn: One of the Reticularia.
RETICULARLYRe*tic"u*lar*ly, adv.
Defn: In a reticular manner.
RETICULATE; RETICULATEDRe*tic"u*late, Re*tic"u*la`ted, a. Etym: [L. reticulatus. SeeReticule.]
1. Resembling network; having the form or appearance of a net; netted; as, a reticulated structure.
2. Having veins, fibers, or lines crossing like the threads or fibers of a network; as, a reticulate leaf; a reticulated surface; a reticulated wing of an insect. Reticulated glass, ornamental ware made from glass in which one set of white or colored lines seems to meet and interlace with another set in a different plane. — Reticulated micrometer, a micrometer for an optical instrument, consisting of a reticule in the focus of an eyepiece. — Reticulated work (Masonry), work constructed with diamond-shaped stones, or square stones placed diagonally.
RETICULATIONRe*tic`u*la"tion, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being reticulated, or netlike; that which is reticulated; network; an organization resembling a net. The particular net you occupy in the great reticulation. Carlyle.
RETICULERet"i*cule, n.. Etym: [F. réticule, L. reticulum, dim. of rete a net.Cf.Retina, Reticle.]
1. A little bag, originally of network; a woman's workbag, or a little bag to be carried in the hand. De Quincey.
2. A system of wires or lines in the focus of a telescope or other instrument; a reticle.
RETICULOSARe*tic`u*lo"sa, n.pl. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Same as Reticularia.
RETICULOSERe*tic"u*lose`, a.
Defn: Forming a network; characterized by a reticulated sructure. Reticulose rhizopod (Zoöl.), a rhizopod in which the pseudopodia blend together and form irregular meshes.
RETICULUM Re*tic"u*lum, n.;pl. Reticula. Etym: [L. dim. of rete a net.] (Anat.) (a) The second stomach of ruminants, in which folds of the mucous membrane form hexagonal cells; — also called the honeycomb stomach. (b) The neuroglia.
RETIFORMRet"i*form, a. Etym: [L. rete a net + -form. cf. F. rétiforme.]
Defn: Composed of crossing lines and interstices; reticular; netlike; as, the retiform coat of the eye.
RETINARet"i*na, n. Etym: [NL., from L. rete a net. Cf. Reticule.] (Anat.)
Defn: The delicate membrane by which the back part of the globe of the eye is lined, and in which the fibers of the optic nerve terminate. See Eye.
Note: The fibers of the optic nerve and the retinal blood vessels spread out upon the front surface of the retina, while the sensory layer (called Jacob's membrane), containing the rods and cones, is on the back side, next the choroid coat.
RETINACULUMRet`i*nac"u*lum, n.; pl. Retinacula. Etym: [L., a holdfast, a band.See Retain.]
1. (Anat.) (a) A connecting band; a frænum; as, the retinacula of the ileocæcal and ileocolic valves. (b) One of the annular ligaments which hold the tendons close to the bones at the larger joints, as at the wrist and ankle.
2. (Zoöl)
Defn: One of the retractor muscles of the proboscis of certain worms.
3. (Bot.)
Defn: A small gland or process to which bodies are attached; as, the glandular retinacula to which the pollinia of orchids are attached, or the hooks which support the seeds in many acanthaceous plants.
RETINALRet"i*nal, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the retina. Retinal purple (Physiol.Chem.), the visual purple.
RETINALITERe*tin"a*lite, n. Etym: [Gr. -lite.] (Min.)
Defn: A translucent variety of serpentine, of a honey yellow or greenish yellow color, having a waxy resinlike luster.
RETINASPHALT; RETINASPHALTUMRet`in*as"phalt, Ret`in*as*phal"tum, n. Etym: [Gr. (Min.)
Defn: Retinite.
RETINERVEDRet"i*nerved`, a. Etym: [L. rete a net + E. nerve.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having reticulated veins.
RETINEUMRet`i*ne"um, n.; pl. Retinea. Etym: [NL. See Retina.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: That part of the eye of an invertebrate which corresponds in function with the retina of a vertebrate.
RETINICRe*tin"ic, a. Etym: [Gr. (Min. Chem.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to resin; derived from resin; specifically, designating an acid found in certain fossil resins and hydrocarbons.
RETINITERet"i*nite, n. Etym: [Gr.rétinite.] (Min.)
Defn: An inflammable mineral resin, usually of a yellowish brown color, found in roundish masses, sometimes with coal.
RETINITISRet`i*ni"tis, n. Etym: [NL., fr. NL. & E. retina + -tis.] (Med.)
Defn: Inflammation of the retina.
RETINOIDRet"i*noid, a. Etym: [Gr. -oid.]
Defn: Resinlike, or resinform; resembling a resin without being such.
RETINOLRet"i*nol, n. Etym: [Gr. oleum oil.] (Chem.)
Defn: A hydrocarbon oil obtained by the distillation of resin, — used in printer's ink.
RETINOPHORARet`i*noph"o*ra, n.; pl. Retiniphoræ. Etym: [NL., fr. NL. & E. retina+ Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of group of two to four united cells which occupy the axial part of the ocelli, or ommatidia, of the eyes of invertebrates, and contain the terminal nerve fibrillæ. See Illust. under Ommatidium.
RETINOPHORALRet`i*noph"o*ral, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to retinophoræ.
RETINOSCOPYRet`i*nos"co*py, n. Etym: [Retina + -scopy.] (Physiol.)
Defn: The study of the retina of the eye by means of the ophthalmoscope.
RETINUE Ret"i*nue, n. Etym: [OE. retinue, OF. retinue, fr. retenir to retain, engage, hire. See Retain.]
Defn: The body of retainers who follow a prince or otherdistinguished person; a train of attendants; a suite.Others of your insolent retinue. Shak.What followers, what retinue canst thou gain Milton.To have at one's retinue, to keep or employ as a retainer; to retain.[Obs.] Chaucer.
RETINULARe*tin"u*la, n.; pl. Retinulæ. Etym: [NL., dim. of NL. & E. retina.](Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the group of pigmented cells which surround the retinophoræ of invertebrates. See Illust. under Ommatidium.
RETINULATERe*tin"u*late, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having, or characterized by, retinul
RETIPED Ret`i*ped, n. Etym: [L. rete a net + pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. rétinopède.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A bird having small polygonal scales covering the tarsi.
RETIRACYRe*tir"a*cy, n.
Defn: Retirement; — mostly used in a jocose or burlesque way. [U.S.]Bartlett.What one of our great men used to call dignified retiracy. C. A.Bristed.
RETIRADERet`i*rade", n. Etym: [F.; cf. Sp. retirada retreat. See Retire.](Fort.)
Defn: A kind of retrenchment, as in the body of a bastion, which may be disputed inch by inch after the defenses are dismantled. It usually consists of two faces which make a reëntering angle.
RETIRERe*tire", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retired; p. pr. & vb. n. Retiring.]Etym: [F. retirer; pref. re- re- + tirer to draw. See Tirade.]
1. To withdraw; to take away; — sometimes used reflexively. He . . . retired himself, his wife, and children into a forest. Sir P. Sidney. As when the sun is present all the year, And never doth retire his golden ray. Sir J. Davies.
2. To withdraw from circulation, or from the market; to take up and pay; as, to retire bonds; to retire a note.
3. To cause to retire; specifically, to designate as no longer qualified for active service; to place on the retired list; as, to retire a military or naval officer.
RETIRERe*tire", v. i.
1. To go back or return; to draw back or away; to keep aloof; to withdraw or retreat, as from observation; to go into privacy; as, to retire to his home; to retire from the world, or from notice. To Una back he cast him to retire. Spenser. The mind contracts herself, and shrinketh in, And to herself she gladly doth retire. Sir J. Davies.
2. To retreat from action or danger; to withdraw for safety or pleasure; as, to retire from battle. Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. 2 Sam. xi. 15.
3. To withdraw from a public station, or from business; as, having made a large fortune, he retired. And from Britannia's public posts retire. Addison.
4. To recede; to fall or bend back; as, the shore of the sea retires in bays and gulfs.
5. To go to bed; as, he usually retires early.
Syn.— To withdraw; leave; depart; secede; recede; retreat; retrocede.
RETIRERe*tire", n.
1. The act of retiring, or the state of being retired; also, a place to which one retires. [Obs.] The battle and the retire of the English succors. Bacon. [Eve] discover'd soon the place of her retire. Milton.
2. (Mil.)
Defn: A call sounded on a bugle, announcing to skirmishers that they are to retire, or fall back.
RETIREDRe*tired", a.
1. Private; secluded; quiet; as, a retired life; a person of retired habits. A retired part of the peninsula. Hawthorne.
2. Withdrawn from active duty or business; as, a retired officer; a retired physician. Retired flank (Fort.), a flank bent inward toward the rear of the work. — Retired list (Mil. & Naval), a list of officers, who, by reason of advanced age or other disability, are relieved from active service, but still receive a specified amount of pay from the government. — Re*tired"ly, adv. — Re*tired"ness, n.
RETIREMENTRe*tire"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. retirement.]
1. The act of retiring, or the state of being retired; withdrawal; seclusion; as, the retirement of an officer. O, blest Retirement, friend of life's decline. Goldsmith. Retirement, rural quiet, friendship, books. Thomson.
2. A place of seclusion or privacy; a place to which one withdraws or retreats; a private abode. [Archaic] This coast full of princely retirements for the sumptousness of their buildings and nobleness of the plantations. Evelyn. Caprea had been the retirement of Augustus. Addison.
Syn.— Solitude; withdrawment; departure; retreat; seclusion; privacy.See Solitude.
RETIRERRe*tir"er, n.
Defn: One who retires.
RETIRINGRe*tir"ing, a.
1. Reserved; shy; not forward or obtrusive; as, retiring modesty; retiring manners.
2. Of or pertaining to retirement; causing retirement; suited to, or belonging to, retirement. Retiring board (Mil.), a board of officers who consider and report upon the alleged incapacity of an officer for active service. — Retiring pension, a pension granted to a public officer on his retirement from office or service.
RETISTENERet"i*stene, n. (Chem.)
Defn: A white crystalline hydrocarbon produced indirectly from retene.
RETITELAERet`i*te"læ, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. rete a net + tela a web.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: A group of spiders which spin irregular webs; — called alsoRetitelariæ.
RETOLDRe*told",
Defn: imp. & p. p. of Retell.
RETORSIONRe*tor"sion, n.
Defn: Same as Retortion.
RETORTRe*tort", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retorted; p. pr. & vb. n. Retorting.]Etym: [L. retortus, p. p. of retorquere; pref. re- re- + torquere toturn twist. See Torsion, and cf. Retort, n., 2.]
1. To bend or curve back; as, a retorted line. With retorted head, pruned themselves as they floated. Southey.
2. To throw back; to reverberate; to reflect. As when his virtues, shining upon others, Heat them and they retort that heat again To the first giver. Shak.
3. To return, as an argument, accusation, censure, or incivility; as, to retort the charge of vanity. And with retorted scorn his back he turned. Milton.
RETORTRe*tort", v. i.
Defn: To return an argument or a charge; to make a severe reply.Pope.
RETORTRe*tort", n. Etym: [See Retort, v. t.]
1. The return of, or reply to, an argument, charge, censure, incivility, taunt, or witticism; a quick and witty or severe response. This is called the retort courteous. Shak.
2. Etym: [F. retorte (cf. Sp. retorta), fr. L. retortus, p. p. of retorquere. So named from its bent shape. See Retort, v. t.] (Chem. & the Arts)
Defn: A vessel in which substances are subjected to distillation or decomposition by heat. It is made of different forms and materials for different uses, as a bulb of glass with a curved beak to enter a receiver for general chemical operations, or a cylinder or semicylinder of cast iron for the manufacture of gas in gas works. Tubulated retort (Chem.), a retort having a tubulure for the introduction or removal of the substances which are to be acted upon.
Syn. — Repartee; answer. — Retort, Repartee. A retort is a short and pointed reply, turning back on an assailant the arguments, censure, or derision he had thrown out. A repartee is usually a good-natured return to some witty or sportive remark.
RETORTERRe*tort"er, n.
Defn: One who retorts.
RETORTIONRe*tor"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. rétorsion. See Retort, v. t.]
1. Act of retorting or throwing back; reflection or turning back. [Written also retorsion.] It was, however, necessary to possess some single term expressive of this intellectual retortion. Sir W. Hamilton.
2. (Law)
Defn: Retaliation. Wharton.
RETORTIVERe*tort"ive, a.
Defn: Containing retort.
RETOSSRe*toss", v. t.
Defn: To toss back or again.
RETOUCHRe*touch", v. t. Etym: [Pref. re- + touch: cf. F. retoucher.]
1. To touch again, or rework, in order to improve; to revise; as, to retouch a picture or an essay.
2. (Photog.)
Defn: To correct or change, as a negative, by handwork.
RETOUCHRe*touch", n. (Fine Arts)
Defn: A partial reworking,as of a painting, a sculptor's clay model, or the like.
RETOUCHERRe*touch"er, n.
Defn: One who retouches.
RETRACERe*trace", v. t. Etym: [Pref. re- + trace: cf. F. retracer. Cf.Retract.]
1. To trace back, as a line. Then if the line of Turnus you retrace, He springs from Inachus of Argive race. Driden.
2. To go back, in or over (a previous course); to go over again in a reverse direction; as, to retrace one's steps; to retrace one's proceedings.
3. To trace over again, or renew the outline of, as a drawing; to draw again.
RETRACT Re*tract", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retracted; p. pr. & vb. n. Retracting.] Etym: [F. rétracter, L. retractare, retractatum, to handle again, reconsider, retract, fr. retrahere, retractum, to draw back. See Retreat.]
1. To draw back; to draw up or shorten; as, the cat can retract its claws; to retract a muscle.
2. Ti withdraw; to recall; to disavow; to recant; to take back; as, to retract an accusation or an assertion. I would as freely have retracted this charge of idolatry as I ever made it. Bp. Stillingfleet.
3. To take back,, as a grant or favor previously bestowed; to revoke. [Obs.] Woodward.
Syn. — To recal; withdraw; rescind; revoke; unsay; disavow; recant; abjure; disown.
RETRACTRe*tract", v. i.
1. To draw back; to draw up; as, muscles retract after amputation.
2. To take back what has been said; to withdraw a concession or a declaration. She will, and she will not; she grants, denies, Consents, retracts, advances, and then files. Granville.
RETRACTRe*tract", n. (Far.)
Defn: The pricking of a horse's foot in nailing on a shoe.
RETRACTABLERe*tract"a*ble, a. Etym: [Cf. F. rétractable.]
Defn: Capable of being retracted; retractile.
RETRACTATERe*tract"ate, v. t. Etym: [L. retractatus, p. p. of retractare. SeeRetract.]
Defn: To retract; to recant. [Obs.]
RETRACTATION Re`trac*ta"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. rétractation, L. retractatio a revision, reconsideration. ]
Defn: The act of retracting what has been said; recantation.
RETRACTIBLERe*tract"i*ble, a.
Defn: Retractable.
RETRACTILERe*tract"ile, a. Etym: [Cf. F. -rétractile.] (Physiol.)
Defn: CApable of retraction; capable of being drawn back or up; as, the claws of a cat are retractile.
RETRACTION Re*trac"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. rétraction, L. retractio a drawing back, hesitation.]
1. The act of retracting, or drawing back; the state of being retracted; as, the retraction of a cat's claws.
2. The act of withdrawing something advanced, stated, claimed, or done; declaration of change of opinion; recantation. Other men's insatiable desire of revenge hath wholly beguiled both church and state of the benefit of all my either retractions or Eikon Basilike.
3. (Physiol.) (a) The act of retracting or shortening; as, the retraction of a severed muscle; the retraction of a sinew. (b) The state or condition of a part when drawn back, or towards the center of the body.
RETRACTIVERe*tract"ive, a.
Defn: Serving to retract; of the nature of a retraction.— Re*tract"ive*ly, adv.
RETRACTIVERe*tract"ive, n.
Defn: That which retracts, or withdraws.
RETRACTORRe*tract"or, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, retracts. Specifically: (a) In breech-loading firearms, a device for withdrawing a cartridge shell from the barrel. (b) (Surg.)
Defn: An instrument for holding apart the edges of a wound during amputation. (c) (Surg.) A bandage to protect the soft parts from injury by the saw during amputation. (d) (Anat. & Zoöl.)
Defn: A muscle serving to draw in any organ or part. See Illust. under Phylactolæmata.
RETRAICTRe*traict", n.
Defn: Retreat. [Obs.] Bacon.
RETRAIT Re*trait", n. Etym: [It. ritratto, fr. ritrarre to draw back, draw, fr. L. retrahere. See Retract.]
Defn: A portrait; a likeness. [Obs.]Whose fair retrait I in my shield do bear. Spenser.
RETRANSFORMRe`trans*form", v. t.
Defn: To transform anew or back.— Re`trans*for*ma"tion, n.
RETRANSLATERe`trans*late", v. t.
Defn: To translate anew; especially, to translate back into the original language.
RETRAXITRe*trax"it, n. Etym: [L., (he) has withdrawn. See Retract.] (O. Eng.Law)
Defn: The withdrawing, or open renunciation, of a suit in court by the plaintiff, by which he forever lost his right of action. Blackstone.
RETREADRe*tread", v. t. & i.
Defn: To tread again.
RETREATRe*treat", n. Etym: [F. retraite, fr. retraire to withdraw, L.retrahere; pref. re- re- + trahere to draw. See Trace, and cf.Retract, Retrace.]
1. The act of retiring or withdrawing one's self, especially from what is dangerous or disagreeable. In a retreat he oShak.
2. The place to which anyone retires; a place or privacy or safety; a refuge; an asylum. He built his son a house of pleasure, and spared no cost to make a delicious retreat. L'Estrange. That pleasing shade they sought, a soft retreat From sudden April showers, a shelter from the heat. Dryden.
3. (Mil. & Naval.) (a) The retiring of an army or body of men from the face of an enemy, or from any ground occupied to a greater distance from the enemy, or from an advanced position. (b) The withdrawing of a ship or fleet from an enemy for the purpose of avoiding an engagement or escaping after defeat. (c) A signal given in the army or navy, by the beat of a drum or the sounding of trumpet or bugle, at sunset (when the roll is called), or for retiring from action.
Note: A retreat is properly an orderly march, in which circumstance it differs from a flight.
4. (Eccl.) (a) A special season of solitude and silence to engage in religious exercises. (b) A period of several days of withdrawal from society to a religious house for exclusive occupation in the duties of devotion; as, to appoint or observe a retreat.
Syn. — Retirement; departure; withdrawment; seclusion; solitude; privacy; asylum; shelter; refuge.
RETREATRe*treat", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Retreated; p. pr. & vb. n.Retreating.]
Defn: To make a retreat; to retire from any position or place; to withdraw; as, the defeated army retreated from the field. The rapid currents drive Towards the retreating sea their furious tide. Milton.
RETREATFULRe*treat"ful, a.
Defn: Furnishing or serving as a retreat. [R.] "Our retreatful flood." Chapman.
RETREATMENTRe*treat"ment, n.
Defn: The act of retreating; specifically, the Hegira. [R.] D'Urfey.
RETRENCHRe*trench", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retrenched; p. pr. & vb. n.Retrenching.] Etym: [OF. retrenchier, F. retrancher; pref. re- re- +OF. trenchier, F. trancher, to cut. See Trench.]
1. To cut off; to pare away. Thy exuberant parts retrench. Denham.
2. To lessen; to abridge; to curtail; as, to retrench superfluities or expenses. But this thy glory shall be soon retrenched. Milton.
3. To confine; to limit; to restrict. Addison. These figures, ought they then to receive a retrenched interpretation I. Taylor.
4. (Fort.)
Defn: To furnish with a retrenchment; as, to retrench bastions.
Syn.— To lesen; diminish; curtail; abridge.
RETRENCHRe*trench", v. i.
Defn: To cause or suffer retrenchment; specifically, to cut down living expenses; as, it is more reputable to retrench than to live embarrassed.
RETRENCHMENTRe*trench"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. retrenchment.]
1. The act or process of retrenching; as, the retrenchment of words in a writing. The retrenchment of my expenses will convince you that Walpole.
2. (Fort.)
Defn: A work constructed within another, to prolong the defense of the position when the enemy has gained possession of the outer work; or to protect the defenders till they can retreat or obtain terms for a capitulation.
Syn.— Lessening; curtailment; diminution; reduction; abridgment.
RETRIALRe*tri"al, n.
Defn: A secdond trial, experiment, or test; a second judicial trial, as of an accused person.
RETRIBUTE Re*trib"ute, v. t. Etym: [L. retributus, p. p. ofretribuere to retribute; pref re- + tribuere to bestow, assign, pay. See Tribute.]
Defn: To pay back; to give in return, as payment, reward, or punishment; to requite; as, to retribute one for his kindness; to retribute just punishment to a criminal. [Obs. or R.] Locke.
RETRIBUTERRe*trib"u*ter, n.
Defn: One who makes retribution.
RETRIBUTIONRet`ri*bu"tion, n. Etym: [L. retributio: cf. F. rétribution.]
1. The act of retributing; repayment. In good offices and due retributions, we may not be pinching and niggardly. Bp. Hall.
2. That which is given in repayment or compensation; return suitable to the merits or deserts of, as an action; commonly, condign punishment for evil or wrong. All who have their reward on earth, . . . Naught seeking but the praise of men, here find Fit retribution, empty as their deeds. Milton.
3. Specifically, reward and punishment, as distributed at the general judgment. It is a strong argument for a state of retribution hereafter, that in this world virtuous persons are very often unfortunate, and vicious persons prosperous. Addison.
Syn.— Repayment; requital; recompense; payment; retaliation.
RETRIBUTIVE; RETRIBUTORY Re*trib"u*tive, Re*trib"u*to*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. LL. retributorius worthy of retribution.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to retribution; of the nature of retribution; involving retribution or repayment; as, retributive justice; retributory comforts.
RETRIEVABLERe*triev"a*ble, a. Etym: [From Retrieve.]
Defn: That may be retrieved or recovered; admitting of retrieval.— Re*triev"a*ble*ness, n.— Re*triev"a*bly, adv.
RETRIEVALRe*triev"al, n.
Defn: The act retrieving.
RETRIEVE Re*trieve", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retrieved; p. pr. & vb. n. Retrieving.] Etym: [OE. retreven, OF. retrover to find again, recover (il retroevee finds again), F. retrouver; pref. re- re- + OF. trover to find, F. trouver. See Trover.]
1. To find again; to recover; to regain; to restore from loss or injury; as, to retrieve one's character; to retrieve independence. With late repentance now they would retrieve The bodies they forsook, and wish to live. Dryden
2. To recall; to bring back. To retrieve them from their cold, trivial conceits. Berkeley.
3. To remedy the evil consequence of, to repair, as a loss ordamadge.Accept my sorrow, and retrieve my fall. Prior.There is much to be done . . . and much to be retrieved. Burke.
Syn.— To recover; regain; recruit; repair; restore.
RETRIEVERe*trieve", v. i. (Sport.)
Defn: To discover and bring in game that has been killed or wounded; as, a dog naturally inclined to retrieve. Walsh.
RETRIEVERe*trieve", n.
1. A seeking again; a discovery. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
2. The recovery of game once sprung; — an old sporting term. [Obs.] Nares.
RETRIEVEMENTRe*trieve"ment, n.
Defn: Retrieval.
RETRIEVERRe*triev"er, n.
1. One who retrieves.
2. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A dor, or a breed of dogs, chiefly employed to retrieve, or to find and recover game birds that have been killed or wounded.
RETRIMRe*trim", v. t.
Defn: To trim again.
RETRIMENTRet"ri*ment, n. Etym: [L. retrimentum.]
Defn: Refuse; dregs. [R.]
RETRO-Retro-. Etym: [L. retro, adv., backward, back. Cf. Re-.]
Defn: A prefix or combining form signifying backward, back; as, retroact, to act backward; retrospect, a looking back.
RETROACTRe`tro*act", v. i. Etym: [Pref. retro- + act.]
Defn: To act backward, or in return; to act in opposition; to be retrospective.
RETROACTIONRe`tro*ac"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. rétroaction.]
1. Action returned, or action backward.
2. Operation on something past or preceding.
RETROACTIVERe`tro*act"ive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. rétroactif.]
Defn: Fitted or designed to retroact; operating by returned action; affecting what is past; retrospective. Beddoes. Retroactive law or statute (Law), one which operates to make criminal or punishable, or in any way expressly to affect, acts done prior to the passing of the law.
RETROACTIVELYRe`tro*act"ive*ly, adv.
Defn: In a retroactive manner.
RETROCEDERe"tro*cede, v. t. Etym: [Pref. retro- + cede: cf. F. rétrocéder.]
Defn: To cede or grant back; as, to retrocede a territory to a former proprietor.
RETROCEDE Re"tro*cede, v. i. Etym: [L. retrocedere; retro backward, back + cedere to go. See Cede.]
Defn: To go back.
RETROCEDENTRe`tro*ced"ent, a. Etym: [L. retrocedens, p. pr.]
Defn: Disposed or likely to retrocede; — said of diseases which go from one part of the body to another, as the gout.
RETROCESSIONRe`tro*ces"sion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. rétrocession. See Retrocede.]
1. The act of retroceding.
2. The state of being retroceded, or granted back.
3. (Med.)
Defn: Metastasis of an eruption or a tumor from the surface to the interior of the body.
RETROCHOIRRe"tro*choir, n. Etym: [Pref. retro- + choir.] (Eccl. Arch.)
Defn: Any extension of a church behind the higggggggh altar, as a chapel; also, in an apsidal church, all the space beyond the line of the back or eastern face of the altar.
RETROCOPULANTRe`tro*cop"u*lant, a. Etym: [See Retrocopulation.]
Defn: Copulating backward, or from behind.
RETROCOPULATIONRe`tro*cop`u*la"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. retro- + copulation.]
Defn: Copulation from behind. Sir T. Browne.
RETRODUCTION Re`tro*duc"tion, n. Etym: [L. retroducere, retroductum, to lead or bring back; retro backward + ducere to lead.]