r ['är] -n

  1. the 18th letter of the English alphabet
  2. a graphic representation of this letter
  3. a speech counterpart of orthographic r
  4. a graphic device for reproducing the letter r
  5. one designated resp. as the 18th in order or class
  6. something shaped like the letter R
  7. radius
  8. rain
  9. range
  10. rare
  11. real
  12. recto
  13. red
  14. repeat
  15. rerun
  16. resistance
  17. right
  18. roentgen
  19. rook
  20. rough
  21. run

R -abbr

  1. rabbi
  2. radial
  3. radical used esp. of a monovalent hydrocarbon radical
  4. Rankine
  5. Reaumur
  6. recipe
  7. registered trademark often enclosed in a circle
  8. regular
  9. Republican
  10. river
  11. R-value
  12. used to certify that a motion picture is of such a nature that admission is restricted to persons over a specified age (as 17) unless accompanied by a parent or guardian

ra -abbr

  1. range

Ra ['rä] -n

  1. the Egyptian sun god and chief deity
  2. radium

RA -abbr

  1. regular army
  2. right ascension
  3. Royal Academician; Royal Academy
  4. residence assistant; resident assistant
  5. research assistant

RAAF -abbr

  1. Royal Australian Air Force

rab·bet ['ra-bət] -n

  1. a channel, groove, or recess cut out of the edge or face of a surface
  2. one intended to receive another member (as a panel)

rabbet -vt

  1. to unite the edges of in a rabbet joint
  2. to cut a rabbet in
  3. to become joined by a rabbet

rabbet joint -n

  1. a joint formed by fitting together rabbeted boards or timbers

rab·bi ['ra-,bī] -n

  1. master, teacher used by Jews as a term of address
  2. a Jew qualified to expound and apply the halacha and other Jewish law
  3. a Jew trained and ordained for professional religious leadership
  4. the official leader of a Jewish congregation

rab·bin ['ra-bən] -n

  1. rabbi

rab·bin·ate ['ra-bə-nət, -,nāt] -n

  1. the office or tenure of a rabbi
  2. the whole body of rabbis

rab·bin·ic [rə-'bi-nik, ra-] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to rabbis or their writings
  2. of or preparing for the rabbinate
  3. comprising or belonging to any of several sets of Hebrew characters simpler than the square Hebrew letters

Rabbinic Hebrew -n

  1. the Hebrew used esp. by medieval rabbis

rab·bin·ism ['ra-bə-,ni-zəm] -n

  1. rabbinic teachings and traditions

rab·bit ['ra-bət] -n, adj

  1. : any of a family (Leporidae) of long-eared short-tailed lagomorph mammals with long hind legs:
  2. any of various lagomorphs that are born furless, blind, and helpless, that are sometimes gregarious, and that include esp. the cottontails of the New World and a small Old World mammal ( Oryctolagus cuniculus) that is the source of various domestic breeds
  3. hare
  4. the pelt of a rabbit
  5. welsh rabbit
  6. a figure of a rabbit sped mechanically along the edge of a dog track as an object of pursuit
  7. a runner in a long-distance race who sets a fast pace for the field in the first part of the race

rabbit -vi, n

  1. to hunt rabbits

rab·bit·brush ['ra-bət-,brəsh] -n

  1. any of several low branching composite shrubs (genus Chrysothamnusand esp. C. nauseosus) of the alkali plains of western No. America that are characterized by linear entire leaves and clusters of golden-yellow or white flowers

rabbiteared bandicoot -n

  1. bilby

rabbit ears -n pl

  1. an indoor dipole television antenna consisting of two usu. extensible rods connected to a base to form a V shape

rabbit fever -n

  1. tularemia

rabbit hole -n

  1. a bizarre or difficult state or situation usu. used in the phrase down the rabbit hole

rabbit punch -n, vt

  1. a short chopping blow delivered to the back of the neck or the base of the skull

rab·bit·ry ['ra-bə-trē] -n

  1. a place where domestic rabbits are kept
  2. a rabbit-raising enterprise

rabbit warren -n

  1. warren
  2. warren

rab·ble ['ra-bəl] -n

  1. a disorganized or confused collection of things
  2. a disorganized or disorderly crowd of people : mob
  3. the lowest class of people

rabble [-b(ə-)liŋ] -vt

  1. to insult or assault by or as a mob

rab·ble·ment ['ra-bəl-mənt] -n

  1. rabble
  2. disturbance

rab·blerous·er ['ra-bəl-,rau̇-zər] -n, n or adj

  1. one that stirs up (as to hatred or violence) the masses of the people : demagogue

Ra·be·lai·sian [,ra-bə-'lā-zhən, -zē-ən] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Rabelais or his works
  2. marked by gross robust humor, extravagance of caricature, or bold naturalism

Ra·bi ['rə-bē] -n

  1. : either of two months of the Islamic year:
  2. rabi al-awwal
  3. rabi al-thani

Ra·bi alAw·wal ['rə-bē-äl-ə-'wäl] -n

  1. the third month of the Islamic year

Ra·bi alTha·ni [-äl-tä-'nē] -n

  1. the fourth month of the Islamic year

ra·bic ['rā-bik] -adj

  1. of or relating to rabies

ra·bid ['ra-bəd also 'rā-] -adj, n, adv

  1. extremely violent : furious
  2. going to extreme lengths in expressing or pursuing a feeling, interest, or opinion
    • rabid editorials
    • a rabid supporter
  3. affected with rabies

ra·bies ['rā-bēz] -n

  1. an acute virus disease of the nervous system of mammals that is caused by a rhabdovirus (species Rabies virusof the genus Lyssavirus) usu. transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal and that is characterized typically by increased salivation, abnormal behavior, and eventual paralysis and death when untreated

rac·coon [ra-'kün also rə-] -n

  1. a small nocturnal carnivore ( Procyon lotor) of No. America that is chiefly gray, has a black mask and bushy ringed tail, lives chiefly in trees, and has a varied diet including small animals, fruits, and nuts
  2. the pelt of this animal
  3. any of several animals resembling or related to the raccoon

raccoon dog -n

  1. a small omnivorous canid ( Nyctereutes procyonoides) of eastern Asia having a long yellowish-brown coat and facial markings resembling that of a raccoon called also tanuki

race ['rās] -n

  1. the act of running
  2. a strong or rapid current of water flowing through a narrow channel
  3. a watercourse used industrially
  4. the current flowing in such a course
  5. a set course or duration of time
  6. the course of life
  7. a contest of speed
  8. a meeting in which several races (as for horses) are run
  9. a contest or rivalry involving progress toward a goal
    • pennant race
  10. a track or channel in which something rolls or slides
  11. a groove (as for the balls) in a bearing
  12. to compete in a race
  13. to go, move, or function at top speed or out of control
    • people racing for safety
    • struggled to sleep as his mind raced
  14. to revolve too fast under a diminished load
  15. to engage in a race with
  16. to enter in a race
  17. to drive or ride at high speed
  18. to transport or propel at maximum speed
  19. to speed (as an engine) without a working load or with the transmission disengaged
  20. a breeding stock of animals
  21. a family, tribe, people, or nation belonging to the same stock
  22. a class or kind of people unified by shared interests, habits, or characteristics
  23. an actually or potentially interbreeding group within a species
  24. a taxonomic category (as a subspecies) representing such a group
  25. breed
  26. a category of humankind that shares certain distinctive physical traits
  27. inherited temperament or disposition
  28. distinctive flavor, taste, or strength

racebait·ing ['rās-,bā-tiŋ] -n

  1. the making of verbal attacks against members of a racial group

race·course ['rās-,kȯrs] -n

  1. a course for racing
  2. raceway

race·horse [-,hȯrs] -n

  1. a horse bred or kept for racing

ra·ce·mate [rā-'sē-,māt, rə-; 'ra-sə-] -n

  1. a racemic compound or mixture

ra·ceme [rā-'sēm, rə-] -n

  1. a simple inflorescence (as in the lily of the valley) in which the flowers are borne on short stalks of about equal length at equal distances along an elongated axis and open in succession toward the apex

ra·ce·mic [-'sē-mik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a compound or mixture that is composed of equal amounts of dextrorotatory and levorotatory forms of the same compound and is not optically active

ra·ce·mi·za·tion [rā-,sē-mə-'zā-shən, rə-; ,ra-sə-mə-] -n, vb

  1. the action or process of changing from an optically active compound into a racemic compound or mixture

ra·ce·mose ['ra-sə-,mōs; rā-'sē-, rə-] -adj

  1. having or growing in the form of a raceme

rac·er ['rā-sər] -n

  1. one that races or is used for racing
  2. : any of various active American colubrid snakes (genus Coluberand Mastigophis): as
  3. black racer
  4. blue racer

race riot -n

  1. a riot caused by racial dissensions or hatreds

race runner -n

  1. a swift No. American lizard ( Cnemidophorus sexlineatus) that has six narrow stripes down the back

race·track ['rās-,trak] -n

  1. a usu. oval course for racing

race·track·er [-,tra-kər] -n

  1. one who frequents a racetrack

race·walk·ing [-,wȯ-kiŋ] -n, vi

  1. the competitive sport of racing at a fast walk while maintaining continuous foot contact with the ground and keeping the supporting leg straight

race·way [-,wā] -n

  1. a canal for a current of water
  2. a channel for loosely holding electrical wires in buildings
  3. race
  4. a course for racing

Ra·chel ['rā-chəl] -n

  1. a wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin

rachet ['ra-chət] -n

(variant of ratchet)

  1. a mechanism that consists of a bar or wheel having inclined teeth into which a pawl drops so that motion can be imparted to the wheel or bar, governed, or prevented and that is used in a hand tool (as a wrench or screwdriver) to allow effective motion in one direction only
  2. a pawl or detent for holding or propelling a toothed wheel

ra·chis ['rā-kəs, 'ra-] -n

  1. : an axial structure: as
  2. the elongated axis of an inflorescence
  3. an extension of the petiole of a compound leaf that bears the leaflets
  4. the distal part of the shaft of a feather that bears the web
  5. spinal column

ra·chit·ic [rə-'ki-tik] -adj

  1. rickety

ra·cial ['rā-shəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or based on a race
    • a racial minority
  2. existing or occurring between races
    • racial equality

ra·cial·ism ['rā-shə-,li-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj

  1. a theory that race determines human traits and capacities
  2. racism

ra·cial·ize ['rā-shə-,līz] -vt

  1. to give a racial character to

racing -n

  1. the sport or profession of engaging in or holding races

racing form -n

  1. an information sheet giving details of past performance (as for racehorses) for use by bettors

ra·ci·no [rə-'sē-(,)nō] -n

  1. a racetrack at which slot machines are available for gamblers

rac·ism ['rā-,si-zəm also -,shi-] -n, n or adj

  1. a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
  2. racial prejudice or discrimination

rack ['rak] -n

  1. a wind-driven mass of high often broken clouds
  2. to fly or scud in high wind
  3. a framework for holding fodder for livestock
  4. an instrument of torture on which a body is stretched
  5. a cause of anguish or pain
  6. acute suffering
  7. the action of straining or wrenching
  8. a framework, stand, or grating on or in which articles are placed
  9. a bar with teeth on one face for gearing with a pinion or worm gear to transform rotary motion to linear motion or vice versa (as in an automobile steering mechanism)
  10. a notched bar used as a ratchet to engage with a pawl, click, or detent
  11. a pair of antlers
  12. a triangular frame used to set up the balls in a pool game
  13. the balls as set up
  14. bed, sack
  15. to torture on the rack
  16. to cause to suffer torture, pain, anguish, or ruin
  17. to stretch or strain violently
  18. to raise (rents) oppressively
  19. to harass or oppress with high rents or extortions
  20. to work or treat (material) on a rack
  21. to work by a rack and pinion or worm so as to extend or contract
    • rack a camera
  22. to seize (as parallel ropes of a tackle) together
  23. to place (as pool balls) in a rack
  24. to become forced out of shape or out of plumb
  25. to draw off (as wine) from the lees
  26. to go at a rack
  27. : either of two gaits of a horse:
  28. pace
  29. a fast showy 4-beat gait
  30. the neck and spine of a forequarter of veal, pork, or esp. mutton
  31. the rib section of a lamb's forequarters used for chops or as a roast
  32. destruction
    • rack and ruin

rack·et ['ra-kət] -n

  1. a lightweight implement that consists of a netting (as of nylon) stretched in a usu. oval open frame with a handle attached and that is used for striking the ball or shuttlecock in various games (as tennis, racquets, or badminton)
  2. a game for two or four players with ball and racket on a 4-walled court

racket -n

  1. confused clattering noise : clamor
  2. social whirl or excitement
  3. the strain of exciting or trying experiences
  4. a fraudulent scheme, enterprise, or activity
  5. a usu. illegitimate enterprise made workable by bribery or intimidation
  6. an easy and lucrative means of livelihood
  7. occupation, business
  8. to engage in active social life
  9. to move with or make a racket

rack·e·teer [,ra-kə-'tir] -n

  1. one who obtains money by an illegal enterprise usu. involving intimidation

racketeer -vi

  1. to carry on a racket
  2. to extort money from

rack·ety ['ra-kə-tē] -adj

  1. noisy
  2. rowdy
  3. rickety

rack·le ['ra-kəl] -adj

  1. impetuous

rack railway -n

  1. a railway having between its rails a rack that meshes with a gear wheel or pinion of the locomotive for traction on steep grades

rackrent -vt

  1. to subject to rack rent

rack rent -n

  1. an excessive or unreasonably high rent
  2. the highest rent that can be earned on a property

rackrent·er ['rak-,ren-tər] -n

  1. one that pays or exacts rack rent

rack up -vt

  1. achieve, gain
    • racked up their 10th victory

ra·clette [ra-'klet, rä-] -n

  1. a Swiss dish consisting of cheese melted over a fire and then scraped onto bread or boiled potatoes
  2. the cheese used in this dish

ra·con ['rā-,kän] -n

  1. radar beacon

ra·con·teur [,ra-,kän-'tər, -kən-] -n

  1. a person who excels in telling anecdotes

racoon [ra-'kün also rə-] -n

(variant of raccoon)

  1. a small nocturnal carnivore ( Procyon lotor) of No. America that is chiefly gray, has a black mask and bushy ringed tail, lives chiefly in trees, and has a varied diet including small animals, fruits, and nuts
  2. the pelt of this animal
  3. any of several animals resembling or related to the raccoon

rac·quet·ball ['ra-kət-,bȯl] -n

  1. a game similar to handball that is played on a 4-walled court with a short-handled racket and a larger ball
  2. the ball used in this game

racy ['rā-sē] -adj, adv, n

  1. full of zest or vigor
  2. having a strongly marked quality : piquant
    • a racy flavor
  3. risque, suggestive
    • racy jokes
  4. having the distinctive quality of something in its original or most characteristic form
  5. having a body fitted for racing : long-bodied and lean
    • a racy dog

rad ['rad] -n

  1. a unit of absorbed dose of ionizing radiation equal to an energy of 100 ergs per gram of irradiated material
  2. cool , radical
  3. radian
  4. radius
  5. radix

ra·dar ['rā-,där] -n

  1. a device or system consisting usu. of a synchronized radio transmitter and receiver that emits radio waves and processes their reflections for display and is used esp. for detecting and locating objects (as aircraft) or surface features (as of a planet)
  2. range of notice
    • fell off the radar after losing their first three games

radar astronomy -n

  1. astronomy in which celestial bodies in the solar system are studied by analyzing the return of radio waves directed at them

radar beacon -n

  1. a radar transmitter that upon receiving a radar signal emits a signal which reinforces the normal reflected signal or which introduces a code into the reflected signal esp. for identification purposes

radar gun -n

  1. a handheld device that uses radar to measure the speed of a moving object

ra·dar·scope ['rā-,där-,skōp] -n

  1. the oscilloscope or screen serving as the visual indicator in a radar receiver

rad·dle ['ra-dᵊl] -n

  1. red ocher

raddle ['rad-liŋ, 'ra-dᵊl-iŋ] -vt

  1. to mark or paint with raddle
  2. to twist together : interweave

raddled -adj

  1. being in a state of confusion : lacking composure
  2. broken-down, worn

radi- -comb form

  1. radiant energy : radiation
    • radio active
    • radi opaque
  2. radioactive
    • radio element
  3. radium : X-rays
    • radio therapy
  4. radioactive isotopes esp. as produced artificially
    • radio carbon
  5. radio
    • radio telegraphy
  6. radius bone
    • radio- ulna

ra·di·al ['rā-dē-əl] -adj, adv

  1. arranged or having parts arranged like rays
  2. relating to, placed like, or moving along a radius
  3. characterized by divergence from a center
  4. of, relating to, or adjacent to a bodily radius
  5. developing uniformly around a central axis

radial -n

  1. a radial part
  2. ray
  3. a body part (as an artery) lying near or following the course of the radius
  4. a pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at approximately 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread called also radial-ply tire radial tire

radial cleavage -n

  1. holoblastic cleavage that is typical of deuterostomes and that is characterized by arrangement of the blastomeres of each upper tier directly over those of the next lower tier resulting in radial symmetry around the pole to pole axis of the embryo

radial engine -n

  1. a usu. internal combustion engine with cylinders arranged radially like the spokes of a wheel

radial ker·a·tot·o·my [-,ker-ə-'tä-tə-mē] -n

  1. a surgical operation on the cornea for the correction of myopia that involves flattening it by making a series of incisions in a radial pattern resembling the spokes of a wheel

radial symmetry -n, adj

  1. the condition of having similar parts regularly arranged around a central axis

ra·di·an ['rā-dē-ən] -n

  1. a unit of plane angular measurement that is equal to the angle at the center of a circle subtended by an arc whose length equals the radius or approximately 57.3 degrees

ra·di·ance ['rā-dē-ən(t)s] -n

  1. the quality or state of being radiant
  2. a deep pink
  3. the flux density of radiant energy per unit solid angle and per unit projected area of radiating surface

ra·di·an·cy [-ən(t)-sē] -n

  1. radiance

ra·di·ant ['rā-dē-ənt] -adj, adv

  1. radiating rays or reflecting beams of light
  2. vividly bright and shining : glowing
  3. marked by or expressive of love, confidence, or happiness
    • a radiant smile
  4. emitted or transmitted by radiation
  5. emitting or relating to radiant heat

radiant -n

  1. : something that radiates: as
  2. a point in the heavens at which the visible paths of meteors appear to meet when traced backward
  3. the part of a gas or electric heater that becomes incandescent

radiant energy -n

  1. energy traveling as electromagnetic waves

radiant flux -n

  1. the rate of emission or transmission of radiant energy

radiant heat -n

  1. heat transmitted by radiation as contrasted with that transmitted by conduction or convection

ra·di·ate ['rā-dē-,āt] -vb

  1. to proceed in a direct line from or toward a center
  2. to send out rays : shine brightly
  3. to issue in or as if in rays
  4. to evolve by adaptive radiation
  5. to send out in or as if in rays
  6. irradiate, illuminate
  7. to spread abroad or around as if from a center
  8. : having rays or radial parts: as
  9. having ray flowers
  10. characterized by radial symmetry : radially symmetrical

ra·di·a·tion [,rā-dē-'ā-shən] -n, adj

  1. the action or process of radiating
  2. the process of emitting radiant energy in the form of waves or particles
  3. the combined processes of emission, transmission, and absorption of radiant energy
  4. the transfer of heat by radiation
  5. something that is radiated
  6. energy radiated in the form of waves or particles
  7. radial arrangement
  8. adaptive radiation
  9. radiator

radiation sickness -n

  1. sickness that results from exposure to radiation and is commonly marked by fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of teeth and hair, and in more severe cases by damage to blood-forming tissue with decrease in red and white blood cells and with bleeding

radiation therapy -n

  1. radiotherapy

ra·di·a·tor ['rā-dē-,ā-tər, dial 'ra-] -n

  1. : one that radiates: as
  2. any of various devices (as a series of pipes or tubes) for transferring heat from a fluid within to an area or object outside
  3. a transmitting antenna

rad·i·cal ['ra-di-kəl] -adj, n

  1. : of, relating to, or proceeding from a root: as
  2. of or growing from the root of a plant
    • radical tubers
  3. growing from the base of a stem, from a rootlike stem, or from a stem that does not rise above the ground
    • radical leaves
  4. of, relating to, or constituting a linguistic root
  5. of or relating to a mathematical root
  6. designed to remove the root of a disease or all diseased and potentially diseased tissue
    • radical surgery
    • radical mastectomy
  7. of or relating to the origin : fundamental
  8. marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional : extreme
  9. tending or disposed to make extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions
  10. of, relating to, or constituting a political group associated with views, practices, and policies of extreme change
  11. advocating extreme measures to retain or restore a political state of affairs
    • the radical right
  12. excellent, cool

radical -n

  1. a root part
  2. a basic principle : foundation
  3. root
  4. a sound or letter belonging to a radical
  5. one who is radical
  6. free radical
  7. a group of atoms bonded together that is considered an entity in various kinds of reactions or as a subunit of a larger molecule
  8. a mathematical expression indicating a root by means of a radical sign
  9. radical sign

radical chic -n

  1. a fashionable practice among socially prominent people of associating with radicals or members of minority groups

rad·i·cal·ise [-kə-,līz] -vt, n

(variant of radicalize)

  1. to make radical esp. in politics

rad·i·cal·ism ['ra-di-kə-,li-zəm] -n

  1. the quality or state of being radical
  2. the doctrines or principles of radicals

rad·i·cal·ize [-kə-,līz] -vt, n

  1. to make radical esp. in politics

rad·i·cal·ly ['ra-di-k(ə-)lē] -adv

  1. in origin or essence
  2. in a radical or extreme manner

radical sign -n

  1. the sign or placed before an expression to denote that the square root is to be extracted or that the root marked by an index (as in or for the cube root) is to be extracted

rad·i·cand [,ra-də-'kand] -n

  1. the quantity under a radical sign

ra·dic·chio [ra-'di-kē-ō] -n

  1. a chicory of a red variety with variegated leaves that is used as a salad green

radices ['rā-diks] -n

(variant of radix)

  1. the base of a number system or of logarithms
  2. the primary source

rad·i·cle ['ra-di-kəl] -n

  1. : the lower part of the axis of a plant embryo or seedling:
  2. the embryonic root of a seedling
  3. hypocotyl
  4. the hypocotyl and the root together
  5. radical

ra·dic·u·lar [rə-'di-kyə-lər, ra-] -adj

  1. of or relating to a plant radicle
  2. of, relating to, or involving a nerve root
    • radicular pain

radii ['rā-dē-əs] -n

(variant of radius)

  1. a line segment extending from the center of a circle or sphere to the circumference or bounding surface
  2. the bone on the thumb side of the human forearm
  3. a corresponding part of vertebrates above fishes
  4. the third and usu. largest vein of an insect's wing
  5. the length of a radius
    • a truck with a short turning radius
  6. the circular area defined by a stated radius
  7. a bounded or circumscribed area
  8. a radial part
  9. the distance from a center line or point to an axis of rotation

ra·dio ['rā-dē-,ō] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or operated by radiant energy
  2. of or relating to electric currents or phenomena (as electromagnetic radiation) of frequencies between about 3000 hertz and 300 gigahertz
  3. of, relating to, or used in radio or a radio set
  4. specializing in radio or associated with the radio industry
  5. transmitted by radio
  6. making or participating in radio broadcasts
  7. controlled or directed by radio

radio -n

  1. the wireless transmission and reception of electric impulses or signals by means of electromagnetic waves
  2. the use of these waves for the wireless transmission of electric impulses into which sound is converted
  3. a radio message
  4. a radio receiving set
  5. a radio transmitting station
  6. a radio broadcasting organization
  7. the radio broadcasting industry
  8. communication by radio
  9. to send or communicate by radio
  10. to send a radio message to
  11. to send or communicate something by radio

ra·dio·ac·tive [,rā-dē-ō-'ak-tiv] -adj, adv

  1. of, caused by, or exhibiting radioactivity

ra·dio·ac·tiv·i·ty [-ak-'ti-və-tē] -n

  1. the property possessed by some elements (as uranium) or isotopes (as carbon 14) of spontaneously emitting energetic particles (as electrons or alpha particles) by the disintegration of their atomic nuclei
  2. the rays emitted

ra·dio·al·ler·go·sor·bent [,rā-dē-ō-ə-,lər-gō-'sȯr-bənt] -adj

  1. relating to or being a blood analysis that tests for allergen-specific antibodies of the immunoglobulin class IgE and is used to detect allergic reactions

radio astronomy -n, adj

  1. astronomy dealing with radio waves received from outside the earth's atmosphere

ra·dio·au·to·graph [,rā-dē-ō-'ȯ-tə-,graf] -n, adj

  1. autoradiograph

radio beacon -n

  1. a radio transmitting station that transmits special radio signals for use (as on a landing field) in determining the direction or position of those receiving them

ra·dio·bi·ol·o·gy [,rā-dē-ō-bī-'ä-lə-jē] -n, adj, adv

  1. a branch of biology dealing with the effects of radiation or radioactive materials on biological systems

radio car -n

  1. an automobile equipped with radio communication

ra·dio·car·bon [,rā-dē-ō-'kär-bən] -n

  1. radioactive carbon
  2. carbon 14

radiocarbon dating [-'dāt] -n, vt

  1. carbon dating

ra·dio·chem·is·try [,rā-dē-ō-'ke-mə-strē] -n, adj, adv

  1. a branch of chemistry dealing with radioactive substances and phenomena including tracer studies

ra·dio·chro·mato·gram [-krō-'ma-tə-,gram, -krə-] -n

  1. a chromatogram revealing one or more radioactive substances

radio collar -n, vt

  1. a collar with an attached radio transmitter that is put on an animal so that its movements in its natural habitat can be remotely monitored

radio compass -n

  1. a direction finder used in navigation

ra·dio·ecol·o·gy [,rā-dē-ō-i-'kä-lə-jē] -n

  1. the study of the effects of radiation and radioactive substances on ecological communities

ra·dio·el·e·ment [-'e-lə-mənt] -n

  1. a radioactive element

radio frequency -n

  1. any of the electromagnetic wave frequencies that lie in the range extending from below 3 kilohertz to about 300 gigahertz and that include the frequencies used for communications signals (as for radio and television broadcasting and cell-phone and satellite transmissions) or radar signals

radio galaxy -n

  1. a galaxy that is a powerful source of radio waves

ra·dio·gen·ic [,rā-dē-ō-'je-nik] -adj

  1. produced by or determined from radioactivity
    • radiogenic isotopes
    • radiogenic tumors

ra·dio·gram ['rā-dē-ō-,gram] -n

  1. radiograph
  2. a message transmitted by radiotelegraphy
  3. a combined radio receiver and record player

ra·dio·graph [-,graf] -n, adj, adv

  1. a picture produced on a sensitive surface by a form of radiation other than visible light
  2. an X-ray or gamma ray photograph

radiograph [,rā-dē-'ä-grə-fər] -vt, n

  1. to make a radiograph of

ra·di·og·ra·phy [,rā-dē-'ä-grə-fē] -n

  1. the art, act, or process of making radiographs

ra·dio·im·mu·no·as·say [,rā-dē-,ō-i-myə-nō-'a-,sā, -i-,myü-, -a-'sā] -n, adj

  1. immunoassay of a substance that has been radioactively labeled

ra·dio·iso·tope [,rā-dē-ō-'ī-sə-,tōp] -n, adj, adv

  1. a radioactive isotope

ra·dio·la·bel [-'lā-bəl] -vt

  1. to label with a radioactive atom or substance

ra·di·o·lar·ia [,rā-dē-ō-'ler-ē-ə] -n pl

  1. protozoans that are radiolarians

ra·di·o·lar·i·an [,rā-dē-ō-'ler-ē-ən] -n, adj

  1. any of three classes (Acantharia, Polycystina, and Phaeodaria) of usu. spherical chiefly planktonic marine protozoans having radiating threadlike pseudopodia and often a siliceous skeleton of spicules

ra·dio·log·i·cal [,rā-dē-ə-'lä-ji-kəl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to radiology
  2. of or relating to nuclear radiation

ra·di·ol·o·gist [,rā-dē-'ä-lə-jist] -n

  1. a physician specializing in medical radiology

ra·di·ol·o·gy [-jē] -n

  1. a branch of medicine concerned with the use of radiant energy (as X-rays) or radioactive material in the diagnosis and treatment of disease
  2. the science of radioactive substances and high-energy radiations

ra·dio·lu·cent [,rā-dē-ō-'lü-sᵊnt] -adj, n

  1. partly or wholly permeable to radiation
    • radiolucent tissues

ra·di·ol·y·sis [,rā-dē-'ä-lə-səs] -n, adj

  1. chemical decomposition by the action of radiation

ra·dio·man ['rā-dē-ō-,man] -n

  1. a radio operator or technician

ra·di·om·e·ter [,rā-dē-'ä-mə-tər] -n

  1. an instrument for detecting and usu. for measuring the intensity of radiant energy

ra·dio·met·ric [,rā-dē-ō-'me-trik] -adj, adv

  1. relating to, using, or measured by a radiometer
  2. of or relating to the measurement of geologic time by means of the rate of disintegration of radioactive elements

ra·dio·mi·met·ic [-mə-'me-tik, -mī-] -adj

  1. producing effects similar to those of radiation
    • a radiomimetic antibiotic

ra·dio·nu·clide [,rā-dē-ō-'nü-,klīd, -'nyü-] -n

  1. a radioactive nuclide

ra·di·opaque [,rā-dē-ō-'pāk] -adj

  1. being opaque to various forms of radiation (as X-rays)

ra·dio·phar·ma·ceu·ti·cal [,rā-dē-ō-,fär-mə-'sü-ti-kəl] -n, adj

  1. a radioactive drug used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes

ra·dio·phone ['rā-dē-ə-,fōn] -n

  1. radiotelephone

ra·dio·pho·to [,rā-dē-ō-'fō-(,)tō] -n

  1. a picture transmitted by radio

ra·dio·pro·tec·tive [-prə-'tek-tiv] -adj, n

  1. serving to protect or aiding in protecting against the injurious effect of radiations
    • radioprotective drugs

radio range -n

  1. a radio facility for aircraft navigation

ra·dio·sen·si·tive [,rā-dē-ō-'sen(t)-sə-tiv, -'sen(t)-stiv] -adj, n

  1. sensitive to the effects of radiant energy
    • radiosensitive cancer cells

ra·dio·sonde ['rā-dē-ō-,sänd] -n

  1. a miniature radio transmitter that is carried aloft (as by an unmanned balloon) with instruments for sensing and broadcasting atmospheric conditions

radio spectrum -n

  1. the region of the electromagnetic spectrum spanning the radio frequency range

radio star -n

  1. a cosmic radio source
  2. a point source of radio emissions

ra·dio·sur·gery [,rā-dē-ō-'sərj-rē, -'sər-jə-rē] -n

  1. surgery using precisely targeted radiation to destroy tissue without cutting

ra·diotag ['rā-dē-ō-,tag] -vt

  1. to attach a radio transmitter to (an animal)
    • tracked the movements of a radio-tagged owl

ra·dio·tele·graph [,rā-dē-ō-'te-lə-,graf] -n

  1. wireless telegraphy

ra·dio·te·lem·e·try [-tə-'le-mə-trē] -n, adj

  1. telemetry
  2. biotelemetry

ra·dio·tele·phone [-'te-lə-,fōn] -n

  1. an apparatus for carrying on wireless telephony by radio waves

radio telescope -n

  1. a radio receiver-antenna combination used for observation in radio astronomy

ra·dio·ther·a·py [,rā-dē-ō-'ther-ə-pē] -n

  1. the treatment of disease with radiation (as X-rays)

ra·dio·tho·ri·um [-'thȯr-ē-əm] -n

  1. a radioactive isotope of thorium with the mass number 228

ra·dio·trac·er ['rā-dē-ō-,trā-sər] -n

  1. a radioactive tracer

ra·dioul·na [,rā-dē-ō-'əl-nə] -n

  1. a single bone in the forelimb of an amphibian (as a frog) that represents fusion of the separate radius and ulna of higher vertebrate forms

radio wave -n

  1. an electromagnetic wave with radio frequency

rad·ish ['ra-dish also 're-] -n

  1. the pungent usu. crisp root of a widely cultivated Eurasian plant ( Raphanus sativus) of the mustard family usu. eaten raw
  2. a plant that produces radishes

ra·di·um ['rā-dē-əm] -n

  1. an intensely radioactive brilliant white metallic element that resembles barium chemically, occurs in combination in minute quantities in minerals (as pitchblende or carnotite), emits alpha particles and gamma rays to form radon, and is used chiefly in luminous materials and in the treatment of cancer

radium therapy -n

  1. radiotherapy

ra·di·us ['rā-dē-əs] -n

  1. a line segment extending from the center of a circle or sphere to the circumference or bounding surface
  2. the bone on the thumb side of the human forearm
  3. a corresponding part of vertebrates above fishes
  4. the third and usu. largest vein of an insect's wing
  5. the length of a radius
    • a truck with a short turning radius
  6. the circular area defined by a stated radius
  7. a bounded or circumscribed area
  8. a radial part
  9. the distance from a center line or point to an axis of rotation

radius of curvature

  1. the reciprocal of the curvature of a curve

radius vector -n

  1. the line segment or its length from a fixed point to a variable point
  2. the linear polar coordinate of a variable point
  3. a straight line joining the center of an attracting body (as the sun) with that of a body (as a planet) in orbit around it

ra·dix ['rā-diks] -n

  1. the base of a number system or of logarithms
  2. the primary source

RADM -abbr

  1. rear admiral

ra·dome ['rā-,dōm] -n

  1. a plastic housing sheltering the antenna assembly of a radar set esp. on an airplane

ra·don ['rā-,dän] -n

  1. a heavy radioactive gaseous element formed by the decay of radium

rad·u·la ['ra-jə-lə] -n, adj

  1. a horny band or ribbon in mollusks other than bivalves that bears minute chitinous teeth on its dorsal surface and scrapes or tears off food and draws it into the mouth

rad·waste ['rad-,wāst] -n

  1. radioactive waste

RAF -abbr

  1. Royal Air Force

raff ['raf] -n

  1. riffraff

raf·fia ['ra-fē-ə] -n

  1. the fiber of the raffia palm used esp. as cord for tying and weaving

raffia palm -n

  1. a large pinnate-leaved palm ( Raphia fariniferasyn. R. ruffia) of Madagascar and tropical Africa valued for the fiber obtained from its petiole

raf·fi·nose ['ra-fə-,nōs, -,nōz] -n

  1. a crystalline slightly sweet sugar C 18H 32O 16obtained commercially from cottonseed meal and present in many plant products

raff·ish ['ra-fish] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by or suggestive of flashy vulgarity or crudeness
  2. marked by a careless unconventionality : rakish

raf·fle ['ra-fəl] -vb

  1. to engage in a raffle
  2. to dispose of by means of a raffle
    • raffle off a turkey

raffle -n

  1. a lottery in which the prize is won by one of numerous persons buying chances
  2. rubbish
  3. a jumble or tangle of nautical equipment

raf·fle·sia [rə-'flē-zh(ē-)ə, ra-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Rafflesiaof the family Rafflesiaceae) of Malaysian dicotyledonous plants that are parasitic in other plants and have fleshy usu. foul-smelling apetalous flowers emerging from the host, imbricated scales in place of leaves, and no stems

raft ['raft] -n

  1. a collection of logs or timber fastened together for conveyance by water
  2. a flat structure for support or transportation on water
  3. a floating cohesive mass
  4. an aggregation of animals (as waterfowl) resting on the water
  5. to transport in the form of or by means of a raft
  6. to convey (as pebbles) in floating ice or masses of organic material
  7. to make into a raft
  8. to travel by raft
  9. a large collection or number

raf·ter ['raf-tər] -n, adj

  1. any of the parallel beams that support a roof

raft·er ['raf-tər] -n

  1. one who maneuvers logs into position and binds them into rafts
  2. one who travels by raft

rafts·man ['raf(t)s-mən] -n

  1. a man engaged in rafting

rag ['rag] -n

  1. a waste piece of cloth
  2. clothes usu. in poor or ragged condition
  3. clothing
    • the rag trade
  4. something resembling a rag
  5. newspaper
  6. a sleazy newspaper
  7. any of various hard rocks
  8. a large roofing slate that is rough on one side
  9. to rail at : scold
  10. torment, tease
  11. an outburst of boisterous fun
  12. prank
  13. a composition in ragtime

ra·ga ['rä-gə] -n

  1. one of the ancient traditional melodic patterns or modes in Indian music
  2. an improvisation based on a traditional raga

rag·a·muf·fin ['ra-gə-,mə-fən] -n

  1. a ragged often disreputable person
  2. a poorly clothed often dirty child

rag·bag ['rag-,bag] -n

  1. a bag for scraps
  2. a miscellaneous collection

rag doll -n

  1. a stuffed usu. painted cloth doll

rage ['rāj] -n

  1. violent and uncontrolled anger
  2. a fit of violent wrath
  3. insanity
  4. violent action (as of wind or sea)
  5. an intense feeling : passion
  6. a fad pursued with intense enthusiasm
    • was all the rage
  7. to be in a rage
  8. to be in tumult
  9. to prevail uncontrollably

rag·ged ['ra-gəd] -adj, adv, n

  1. roughly unkempt
  2. having an irregular edge or outline
  3. torn or worn to tatters
  4. worn-out from stress and strain
    • ran herself ragged
  5. wearing tattered clothes
  6. straggly
  7. executed in an irregular or uneven manner
  8. harsh, dissonant

ragged robin -n

  1. a perennial herb ( Lychnis flos-cuculi) of the pink family cultivated for its pink flowers with narrow-lobed petals

rag·gedy ['ra-gə-dē] -adj

  1. ragged

rag·gletag·gle ['ra-gəl-,ta-gəl] -adj

  1. motley

ra·gi ['ra-gē, 'rä-] -n

  1. an Old World cereal grass ( Eleusine coracana) yielding a staple food crop esp. in India and Africa
  2. the seeds of ragi used for food

raging -adj

  1. causing great pain or distress
  2. violent, wild
    • a raging fire
  3. extraordinary, tremendous
    • a raging success

rag·lan ['ra-glən] -n

  1. a loose overcoat with raglan sleeves

raglan sleeve -n

  1. a sleeve that extends to the neckline with slanted seams from the underarm to the neck

rag·man ['rag-,man] -n

  1. a man who collects or deals in rags

Rag·na·rok ['rag-nə-,räk, -rək] -n

  1. the final destruction of the world in the conflict between the Aesir and the powers of Hel led by Loki called also Twilight of the Gods

ra·gout [ra-'gü] -n

  1. well-seasoned meat and vegetables cooked in a thick sauce
  2. mixture, melange

rag·pick·er ['rag-,pi-kər] -n

  1. one who collects rags and refuse for a livelihood

rag·tag ['rag-,tag] -adj

  1. ragged, unkempt
  2. motley
    • a ragtag bunch of misfits

ragtag and bobtail -n

  1. rabble

rag·time ['rag-,tīm] -n

  1. rhythm characterized by strong syncopation in the melody with a regularly accented accompaniment in stride-piano style
  2. music having ragtime rhythm

rag·top [-,täp] -n

  1. a convertible automobile

rag·weed [-,wēd] -n

  1. any of various chiefly No. American weedy composite herbs (genus Ambrosia) that produce highly allergenic pollen

rag·wort [-,wərt, -,wȯrt] -n

  1. any of several senecios
  2. tansy ragwort

rah ['rä, 'rȯ] -interj

  1. hooray used esp. to cheer on a team

rahrah ['rä-(,)rä, 'rȯ-(,)rȯ] -adj

  1. marked by the enthusiastic expression of college spirit
    • rahrah cheerleaders

raid ['rād] -n

  1. a hostile or predatory incursion
  2. a surprise attack by a small force
  3. a brief foray outside one's usual sphere
  4. a sudden invasion by officers of the law
  5. a daring operation against a competitor
  6. the recruiting of personnel (as faculty, executives, or athletes) from competing organizations
  7. the act of mulcting public money
  8. an attempt by professional operators to depress stock prices by concerted selling
  9. to conduct or take part in a raid
  10. to make a raid on

raid·er ['rā-dər] -n

  1. : one that raids: as
  2. a fast lightly armed ship operating against merchant shipping
  3. a soldier specially trained for close-range fighting
  4. one that attempts a usu. hostile takeover of a business corporation
    • corporate raider s

rail ['rāl] -n

  1. a bar extending from one post or support to another and serving as a guard or barrier
  2. a structural member or support
  3. railing
  4. a light structure serving as a guard at the outer edge of a ship's deck
  5. a fence bounding a racetrack
  6. a bar of rolled steel forming a track for wheeled vehicles
  7. track
  8. railroad
  9. to provide with a railing : fence
  10. any of numerous wading birds (family Rallidae, the rail family) that are of small or medium size and have short rounded wings, a short tail, and usu. very long toes which enable them to run on the soft mud of marshes
  11. to revile or scold in harsh, insolent, or abusive language

rail·bird ['rāl-,bərd] -n

  1. a racing enthusiast who sits on or near the track rail to watch a race or workout

rail·bus [-,bəs] -n

  1. a passenger car with an automotive engine for operation on rails

rail·car [-,kär] -n

  1. a railroad car
  2. a self-propelled railroad car

rail·head ['rāl-,hed] -n

  1. a point on a railroad at which traffic may originate or terminate

rail·ing ['rā-liŋ] -n

  1. a barrier consisting of a rail and supports
  2. rails
  3. material for making rails

rail·lery ['rā-lə-rē] -n

  1. good-natured ridicule : banter
  2. jest

rail·road ['rāl-,rōd, 'rel-; 're-,rōd] -n

  1. a permanent road having a line of rails fixed to ties and laid on a roadbed and providing a track for cars or equipment drawn by locomotives or propelled by self-contained motors
  2. such a road and its assets constituting a single property

railroad -vt, n

  1. to convict with undue haste and by means of false charges or insufficient evidence
  2. to push through hastily or without due consideration
  3. to transport by railroad
  4. to work for a railroad company

railroad flat -n

  1. an apartment having a series of narrow rooms arranged in line

rail·road·ing ['rāl-,rō-diŋ] -n

  1. construction or operation of a railroad

railroad worm -n

  1. apple maggot
  2. the larva or wingless female of any of several So. American beetles (genus Phrixothrixof the family Cantharidae)

railsplit·ter ['rāl-,spli-tər] -n

  1. one that makes logs into fence rails

rail·way [-,wā] -n

  1. railroad
  2. a railroad operating with light equipment or within a small area

rai·ment ['rā-mənt] -n

  1. clothing, garments

rain ['rān] -n

  1. water falling in drops condensed from vapor in the atmosphere
  2. the descent of this water
  3. water that has fallen as rain : rainwater
  4. a fall of rain : rainstorm
  5. the rainy season
  6. rainy weather
  7. a heavy fall
    • a rain of arrows
  8. to send down rain
  9. to fall as water in drops from the clouds
  10. to fall like rain
    • soot and ash rain ed down
  11. to pour down
  12. to give or administer abundantly
    • rain ed blows on his head

rain·bird ['rān-,bərd] -n

  1. any of various birds (esp. of the family Cuculidae) whose cries are popularly believed to forecast rain

rain·bow [-,bō] -n, adj

  1. an arc or circle that exhibits in concentric bands the colors of the spectrum and that is formed opposite the sun by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays in raindrops, spray, or mist
  2. a multicolored array
  3. a wide assortment or range
    • a rainbow of flavors
  4. an illusory goal or hope
  5. rainbow trout

rainbow -adj

  1. having many colors
  2. of, relating to, or being people of different races or cultural backgrounds
    • a rainbow coalition

rainbow fish -n

  1. any of numerous brilliantly colored fishes (as a wrasse, parrot fish, or guppy)

rainbow runner -n

  1. a large brilliantly colored carangid food and sport fish ( Elagatis bipinnulata) that is common in warm seas and is blue or dark green above and yellowish white below

rainbow trout -n

  1. a large stout-bodied salmonid fish ( Oncorhynchus mykisssyn. Salmo gairdneri) of western No. America that is related to the Pacific salmon and is typically greenish above and white on the belly with a pink, red, or lavender stripe along each side of the body and with profuse black dots

rain check -n

  1. a ticket stub good for a later performance when the scheduled one is rained out
  2. an assurance of a deferred extension of an offer
  3. a document assuring that a customer can take advantage of a sale later if the item or service offered is not available (as by being sold out)

rain·coat ['rān-,kōt] -n

  1. a waterproof or water-resistant coat

rain date -n

  1. an alternative date set aside for use if a scheduled event must be postponed due to rain

rain·drop [-,dräp] -n

  1. a drop of rain

rain·fall [-,fȯl] -n

  1. the amount of precipitation usu. measured by the depth in inches
  2. rain

rain forest -n

  1. a tropical woodland with an annual rainfall of at least 100 inches (254 centimeters) and marked by lofty broad-leaved evergreen trees forming a continuous canopy called also tropical rain forest
  2. temperate rain forest

rain gauge -n

  1. an instrument for measuring the quantity of precipitation

rain·mak·er ['rān-,mā-kər] -n

  1. a person who produces or attempts to produce rain by artificial means
  2. a person (as a partner in a law firm) who brings in new business
  3. a person whose influence can initiate progress or ensure success

rain out ['rān-,au̇t] -vt, n

  1. to interrupt or prevent (as a sports event) by rain

rain·proof ['rān-,prüf] -adj

  1. impervious to rain

rain shadow -n

  1. a region of reduced rainfall on the lee side of high mountains

rain·spout [-,spau̇t] -n

  1. gutter
  2. downspout

rain·squall [-,skwȯl] -n

  1. a squall accompanied by rain

rain·storm [-,stȯrm] -n

  1. a storm of or with rain

rain tree -n

  1. monkeypod

rain·wash ['rān-,wȯsh, -,wäsh] -n

  1. the washing away of material by rain
  2. the material so washed away

rain·wa·ter [-,wȯ-tər, -,wä-] -n

  1. water fallen as rain that has not collected soluble matter from the soil and is therefore soft

rain·wear [-,wer] -n

  1. waterproof or water-resistant clothing called also rain gear

rainy ['rā-nē] -adj

  1. marked by, abounding with, or bringing rain
    • rainy weather

rainy day -n, adj

  1. a period of want or need
    • saving for a rainy day

raise ['rāz] -vb, n

  1. to cause or help to rise to a standing position
  2. awaken, arouse
  3. to stir up : incite
    • raise a rebellion
  4. to flush (game) from cover
  5. to recall from or as if from death
  6. to set upright by lifting or building
    • raise a monument
  7. to lift up
    • raise your hand
    • raise sunken treasure
  8. to place higher in rank or dignity : elevate
  9. heighten, invigorate
    • raise the spirits
  10. to end or suspend the operation or validity of
    • raise a siege
  11. to get together for a purpose : collect
    • raise funds
  12. grow, cultivate
    • raise cotton
  13. to bring to maturity : rear
    • raise a child
  14. to breed and bring (an animal) to maturity
  15. to give rise to : provoke
    • raise a commotion
  16. to give voice to
    • raise a cheer
  17. to bring up for consideration or debate
    • raise an issue
  18. to increase the strength, intensity, or pitch of
    • don't raise your voice
  19. to increase the degree of
  20. to cause to rise in level or amount
    • raise the rent
  21. to increase the amount of (a poker bet)
  22. to bet more than (a previous bettor)
  23. to make a higher bridge bid in (a partner's suit)
  24. to increase the bid of (one's partner)
  25. to make light and porous
    • raise dough
  26. to cause to ascend
    • raise the dust
  27. to multiply (a quantity) by itself a specified number of times
    • raise two to the fourth power
  28. to bring in sight on the horizon by approaching
    • raise land
  29. to bring up the nap of (cloth)
  30. to cause (as a blister) to form on the skin
  31. to increase the nominal value of fraudulently
    • raise a check
  32. to articulate (a sound) with the tongue in a higher position
  33. to establish radio communication with
  34. rise
  35. to increase a bet or bid
  36. an act of raising or lifting
  37. a rising stretch of road : an upward grade : rise
  38. : an increase in amount: as
  39. an increase of a bet or bid
  40. an increase in wages or salary
  41. a vertical or inclined opening or passageway connecting one mine working area with another at a higher level

raised -adj

  1. done in relief
  2. having a nap
  3. leavened with yeast rather than with baking powder or baking soda

raised ranch -n

  1. bi-level

rai·sin ['rā-zᵊn] -n

  1. a grape of any of several varieties that has been dried in the sun or by artificial heat

rai·son d'etre [,rā-,zōⁿ-'detrᵊ] -n

  1. reason or justification for existence

raj ['räj] -n

  1. rule
  2. the former British rule of the Indian subcontinent
  3. the period of British rule in India

ra·ja ['rä-jə, -(,)jä, -zhə, -(,)zhä] -n

  1. an Indian or Malay prince or chief
  2. the bearer of a title of nobility among the Hindus

Ra·jab [rə-'jab] -n

  1. the seventh month of the Islamic year

Ra·jas·tha·ni [,rä-jə-'stä-nē, ,rä-zhə-] -n

  1. the Indo-Aryan dialects of Rajasthan

Raj·put ['räj-,pu̇t, 'räzh-] -n

  1. a member of a dominant military caste of northern India

rake ['rāk] -n

  1. an implement equipped with projecting prongs to gather material (as leaves) or for loosening or smoothing the surface of the ground
  2. a machine for gathering hay
  3. an implement like a rake
  4. to gather, loosen, or smooth with or as if with a rake
    • rake leaves into a pile
  5. to gain rapidly or in abundance usu. used with in
    • rake in a fortune
  6. to touch in passing over lightly
  7. scratch, scrape
  8. to censure severely
  9. to search through : ransack
  10. to sweep the length of esp. with gunfire : enfilade
  11. to glance over rapidly
  12. inclination from the perpendicular
  13. the overhang of a ship's bow or stern
  14. inclination from the horizontal : slope
  15. the angle between the top cutting surface of a tool and a plane perpendicular to the surface of the work
  16. to incline from the perpendicular
  17. a dissolute person : libertine

rake·hell ['rāk-,hel] -n, adj

  1. libertine

rakeoff ['rāk-,ȯf] -n

  1. a percentage or cut taken (as by an operator)

rake up -vt

  1. to make known or public : uncover
    • rake up a scandal

ra·ki [rə-'kē; 'ra-kē, 'rä-] -n

  1. a Turkish liqueur flavored with aniseed

rak·ish ['rā-kish] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a rake : dissolute

rakish -adj

  1. having a trim or streamlined appearance suggestive of speed
    • a rakish ship
  2. dashingly or carelessly unconventional : jaunty
    • rakish clothes

rak·ish·ly -adv

  1. in a rakish manner

rak·ish·ness -n

  1. the quality or state of being rakish

ra·ku ['rä-(,)kü] -n

  1. Japanese hand-modeled pottery that is fired at a low temperature and rapidly cooled
  2. a process by which pottery is fired at a relatively low temperature and then moved while hot to a closed container with combustible materials (as paper or sawdust) that ignite and cause a reaction creating colors and patterns in the pottery's surface
  3. pottery produced using this process

rale ['ral, 'räl] -n

  1. an abnormal sound heard accompanying the normal respiratory sounds on auscultation of the chest

ral·len·tan·do [,rä-lən-'tän-(,)dō] -adv or adj

  1. ritardando

ral·ly ['ra-lē] -vb

  1. to muster for a common purpose
  2. to recall to order
  3. to arouse for action
  4. to rouse from depression or weakness
  5. to come together again to renew an effort
  6. to join in a common cause
  7. recover, rebound
    • rallied briefly from his illness
  8. to engage in a rally

rally -n

  1. a mustering of scattered forces to renew an effort
  2. a summoning up of strength or courage after weakness or dejection
  3. a recovery of price after a decline
  4. a renewed offensive
  5. a mass meeting intended to arouse group enthusiasm
  6. a series of shots interchanged between players (as in tennis) before a point is won
  7. an automobile competition using public roads and ordinary traffic rules with the object of maintaining a specified average speed between checkpoints over a route unknown to the participants until the start of the event
  8. to attack with raillery : banter

rallying -n

  1. the sport of driving in automobile rallies

rallying cry -n

  1. war cry

ral·ox·i·fene [,ra-'läk-sə-,fēn] -n

  1. a drug used orally in the form of its hydrochloride C 28H 27NO 4SHCl as prophylaxis against osteoporosis after menopause

ram ['ram] -n

  1. a male sheep
  2. aries
  3. battering ram
  4. a warship with a heavy beak at the prow for piercing an enemy ship
  5. : any of various guided pieces for exerting pressure or for driving or forcing something by impact: as
  6. the plunger of a hydrostatic press or force pump
  7. the weight that strikes the blow in a pile driver
  8. to strike with violence : crash
  9. to move with extreme rapidity
  10. to force in by or as if by driving
  11. to make compact (as by pounding)
  12. cram, crowd
  13. to force passage or acceptance of
    • ram home an idea
  14. to strike against violently

RAM ['ram] -n

  1. a computer memory on which data can be both read and written and on which the location of data does not affect the speed of its retrieval
  2. RAM that acts as the main storage available to the user for programs and data called also random-access memory

Ra·ma ['rä-mə] -n

  1. a deity or deified hero of later Hinduism worshipped as an avatar of Vishnu

ra·ma·da [rə-'mä-də] -n

  1. a roofed shelter with usu. open sides

Ram·a·dan ['rä-mə-,dän, ,rä-mə-'] -n

  1. the ninth month of the Islamic year observed as sacred with fasting practiced daily from dawn to sunset

ra·mate ['rā-,māt] -adj

  1. ramose

ram·ble ['ram-bəl] -vb, adv

  1. to move aimlessly from place to place
  2. to explore idly
  3. to talk or write in a desultory or long-winded wandering fashion
  4. to grow or extend irregularly
  5. to wander over : roam

ramble -n

  1. a leisurely excursion for pleasure
  2. an aimless walk
  3. a rambling story or discussion

ram·bler ['ram-blər] -n

  1. one that rambles
  2. any of various climbing roses with long flexible canes and rather small often double flowers in large clusters
  3. ranch house

ram·bouil·let [,ram-bə-'lā, -bü-'yā] -n

  1. any of a breed of large sturdy sheep developed in France

ram·bunc·tious [ram-'bəŋk-shəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by uncontrollable exuberance : unruly

ram·bu·tan [ram-'bü-tᵊn] -n

  1. a bright red spiny Malayan fruit closely related to the lychee
  2. a tree ( Nephelium lappaceum) of the soapberry family that bears this fruit

ram·e·kin ['ram-kən, 'ra-mi-] -n

  1. a preparation of cheese esp. with bread crumbs or eggs baked in a mold or shell
  2. an individual baking dish

ra·men ['rä-mən] -n

  1. quick-cooking egg noodles usu. served in a broth with bits of meat and vegetables

ra·met ['rā-,met] -n

  1. an independent member of a clone

ra·mie ['rā-mē, 'ra-] -n

  1. an Asian perennial plant ( Boehmeria nivea) of the nettle family
  2. the strong lustrous bast fiber of ramie capable of being spun or woven
  3. fabric made of ramie often resembling linen or silk

ram·i·fi·ca·tion [,ra-mə-fə-'kā-shən] -n

  1. branch, offshoot
  2. a branched structure
  3. the act or process of branching
  4. arrangement of branches (as on a plant)
  5. consequence, outgrowth
    • the ramification s of the decision

ram·i·fy ['ra-mə-,fī] -vb

  1. to split up into branches or constituent parts
  2. to send forth branches or extensions
  3. to cause to branch
  4. to separate into divisions

Ra·mism ['rā-,mi-zəm] -n, n or adj

  1. the doctrines of Ramus based on opposition to Aristotelianism and advocacy of a new logic blended with rhetoric

ram·jet ['ram-,jet] -n

  1. a jet engine that consists essentially of a hollow tube without mechanical components and depends on the aircraft's speed of flight to compress the air which is supplied to a burner from which hot gases are discharged rearward

ra·mose ['rā-,mōs] -adj

  1. consisting of or having branches
    • a ramose sponge

ramp ['ramp] -vb

  1. to stand or advance menacingly with forelegs or with arms raised
  2. to move or act furiously
  3. to creep up used esp. of plants
  4. to speed up, expand, or increase esp. quickly or at a constant rate used with up
    • ramp ing up to full speed
  5. to increase, expand, or decrease esp. quickly or at a constant rate usu. used with up or down
    • ramp up production
  6. the act or an instance of ramping
  7. any of various alliums used for food
  8. : a sloping way or plane: as
  9. a sloping floor, walk, or roadway leading from one level to another
  10. a slope for launching boats
  11. apron

ram·page ['ram-,pāj, (,)ram-'] -vi

  1. to rush wildly about
  2. a course of violent, riotous, or reckless action or behavior

ram·pan·cy ['ram-pən(t)-sē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being rampant

ram·pant ['ram-pənt also -,pant] -adj, adv

  1. rearing upon the hind legs with forelegs extended
  2. standing on one hind foot with one foreleg raised above the other and the head in profile used of a heraldic animal
  3. marked by a menacing wildness, extravagance, or absence of restraint
    • rampant rumors
  4. profusely widespread
    • rampant weeds

ram·part ['ram-,pärt, -pərt] -n

  1. a protective barrier : bulwark
  2. a broad embankment raised as a fortification and usu. surmounted by a parapet
  3. a wall-like ridge (as of rock fragments, earth, or debris)

ram·pike [-,pīk] -n

  1. an erect broken or dead tree

rampup ['ramp-,əp] -n

  1. buildup, increase

ram·rod ['ram-,räd] -n

  1. a rod for ramming home the charge in a muzzle-loading firearm
  2. a cleaning rod for small arms
  3. boss, overseer

ramrod -adj

  1. marked by rigidity, severity, or stiffness
  2. to direct, supervise, and control
  3. in a fully upright position : rigidly
    • sat ramrod straight

ram·shack·le ['ram-,sha-kəl] -adj

  1. appearing ready to collapse : rickety
  2. carelessly or loosely constructed
    • a ramshackle plot

rams·horn ['ramz-,hȯrn] -n

  1. any of various snails (as genera Planorbis, Helisoma,and Planorbarius) often used as aquarium scavengers

ra·mus ['rā-məs] -n

  1. : a projecting part, elongated process, or branch: as
  2. the posterior more or less vertical part on each side of the lower jaw that articulates with the skull
  3. a branch of a nerve

ran ['rən] -vb

(variant of run)

  1. to go faster than a walk
  2. to go steadily by springing steps so that both feet leave the ground for an instant in each step
  3. to move at a fast gallop
  4. flee, retreat, escape
    • dropped the gun and ran
  5. to utilize a running play on offense used of a football team
  6. to go without restraint : move freely about at will
    • let chickens run loose
  7. to keep company : consort
    • a ram running with ewes
    • ran with a wild crowd when he was young
  8. to sail before the wind in distinction from reaching or sailing close-hauled
  9. roam, rove
    • running about with no overcoat
  10. to go rapidly or hurriedly : hasten
    • run and fetch the doctor
  11. to go in urgency or distress : resort
    • run s to mother at every little difficulty
  12. to make a quick, easy, or casual trip or visit
    • ran over to borrow some sugar
  13. to contend in a race
  14. to enter into an election contest
    • will run for mayor
  15. to move on or as if on wheels : glide
    • file drawers running on ball bearings
  16. to roll forward rapidly or freely
  17. to pass or slide freely
    • a rope run s through the pulley
  18. to ravel lengthwise
    • stockings guaranteed not to run
  19. to sing or play a musical passage quickly
    • run up the scale
  20. to go back and forth : ply
    • the train run s between New York and Washington
  21. to migrate or move in considerable numbers
  22. to move up or down a river to spawn
  23. turn, rotate
    • a swiftly running grindstone
  24. function, operate
    • the engine run s on gasoline
    • software that run s on her computer
  25. to continue in force, operation, or production
    • the contract has two more years to run
    • the play ran for six months
  26. to have a specified duration, extent, or length
    • the manuscript run s nearly 500 pages
  27. to accompany as a valid obligation or right
    • a right-of-way that run s with the land
  28. to continue to accrue or become payable
    • interest on the loan run s from July 1
  29. to pass from one state to another
    • run into debt
  30. to flow rapidly or under pressure
  31. melt, fuse
  32. spread, dissolve
    • colors guaranteed not to run
  33. to discharge liquid (as pus or serum)
    • a running sore
  34. to develop rapidly in some specific direction
  35. to throw out an elongated shoot of growth
  36. to tend to produce or develop a specified quality or feature
    • they run to big noses in that family
  37. to lie in or take a certain direction
    • the boundary line run s east
  38. to lie or extend in relation to something
  39. to go back : reach
  40. to be in a certain form or expression
    • the letter run s as follows
  41. to be in a certain order of succession
  42. to occur persistently
    • musical talent run s in the family
  43. to remain of a specified size, amount, character, or quality
    • profits were running high
  44. to have or maintain a relative position or condition (as in a race)
    • ran third
    • running late
  45. to exist or occur in a continuous range of variation
    • shades run from white to dark gray
  46. to spread or pass quickly from point to point
    • chills ran up her spine
  47. to be current : circulate
    • speculation ran rife
  48. to cause (an animal) to go rapidly : ride or drive fast
  49. to bring to a specified condition by or as if by running
    • ran himself to death
  50. to go in pursuit of : hunt, chase
    • dogs that run deer
  51. to follow the trail of backward : trace
    • ran the rumor to its source
  52. to enter, register, or enroll as a contestant in a race
  53. to put forward as a candidate for office
  54. to carry (the football) on a running play
  55. to drive (livestock) esp. to a grazing place
  56. to provide pasturage for (livestock)
  57. to keep or maintain (livestock) on or as if on pasturage
  58. to pass over or traverse with speed
  59. to run on or over in athletic competition
    • run s the bases well
    • run the floor
  60. to accomplish or perform by or as if by running
    • ran a great race
    • run errands
  61. to slip or go through or past
    • run a blockade
    • run a red light
  62. to travel on (as a river) in a boat
    • run the rapids
  63. to cause to penetrate or enter : thrust
    • ran a splinter into her toe
  64. stitch
  65. to cause to pass : lead
    • run a wire in from the antenna
  66. to cause to collide
    • ran his head into a post
  67. smuggle
    • run guns
  68. to cause to pass lightly or quickly over, along, or into something
    • ran her eye down the list
  69. to cause or allow (as a vehicle or a vessel) to go in a specified manner or direction
    • ran the car off the road
  70. operate
    • run a lathe
  71. to direct the business or activities of : manage, conduct
    • run a factory
  72. to employ or supervise in espionage
    • run an agent
  73. to be full of or drenched with
    • streets ran blood
  74. contain, assay
  75. to cause to move or flow in a specified way or into a specified position
    • run cards into a file
  76. to cause to produce a flow (as of water)
    • run the faucet
  77. to prepare by running a faucet
    • run a hot bath
  78. to melt and cast in a mold
    • run bullets
  79. treat, process, refine
    • run oil in a still
    • run a problem through a computer
  80. to make oneself liable to : incur
    • ran the risk of discovery
  81. to mark out : draw
    • run a contour line on a map
  82. to permit (as charges) to accumulate before settling
    • run a tab at the bar
    often used with up
    • ran up a large phone bill
  83. cost
    • rooms that run 50 a night
  84. to produce by or as if by printing usu. used with off
    • ran off 10,000 copies of the first edition
  85. to carry in a printed medium : print
    • every newspaper ran the story
  86. to make (a series of counts) without a miss
    • run 19 in an inning in billiards
  87. to lead winning cards of (a suit) successively
  88. to alter by addition
    • ran his record to six wins and four losses
  89. to make (a golf ball) roll forward after alighting
  90. an act or the action of running : continued rapid movement
  91. a quickened gallop
  92. a migration of fish (as up or down a river) esp. to spawn
  93. such fish in the process of migration
  94. a running race
    • a mile run
  95. a score made in baseball by a runner reaching home plate safely
  96. strength or ability to run
  97. a gain of a usu. specified distance made on a running play in football
    • scored on a 25-yard run
  98. a running play
  99. a sustained usu. aggressive effort (as to win or obtain something)
    • making a run at the championship
  100. creek
  101. something that flows in the course of an operation or during a particular time
    • the first run of sap in sugar maples
  102. the stern of the underwater body of a ship from where it begins to curve or slope upward and inward
  103. the direction in which a vein of ore lies
  104. a direction of secondary or minor cleavage : grain
    • the run of a mass of granite
  105. a horizontal distance (as that covered by a flight of steps)
  106. general tendency or direction
  107. : a continuous period or series esp. of things of identical or similar sort
    • a run of bad luck
    : as
  108. a rapid passage up or down a scale in vocal or instrumental music
  109. a number of rapid small dance steps executed in even tempo
  110. the act of making successively a number of successful shots or strokes
  111. the score thus made
    • a run of 20 in billiards
  112. an unbroken course of performances or showings
    • a long run on Broadway
  113. a set of consecutive measurements, readings, or observations
  114. persistent and heavy demands from depositors, creditors, or customers
    • a run on a bank
  115. sequence
  116. the quantity of work turned out in a continuous operation
    • a press run of 10,000 copies
  117. the usual or normal kind, character, type, or group
    • the average run of students
  118. the distance covered in a period of continuous traveling or sailing
  119. a course or trip esp. if mapped out and traveled with regularity
  120. a news reporter's regular territory : beat
  121. freedom of movement in or access to a place or area
    • has the run of the house
  122. the period during which a machine or plant is in continuous operation
  123. the use of machinery for a single set of processing procedures
    • a computer run
  124. a way, track, or path frequented by animals
  125. an enclosure for domestic animals where they may feed or exercise
  126. a large area of land used for grazing
    • a sheep run
  127. ranch, station
    • run -holder
  128. an inclined passageway
  129. an inclined course (as for skiing or bobsledding)
  130. a support (as a track, pipe, or trough) on which something runs
  131. a ravel in a knitted fabric (as in hosiery) caused by the breaking of stitches
  132. a paint defect caused by excessive flow
  133. diarrhea used with the
  134. being in a melted state
    • run butter
  135. made from molten material : cast in a mold
    • run metal
  136. having made a migration or spawning run
    • a fresh run salmon
  137. exhausted or winded from running

ranch ['ranch] -n

  1. a large farm for raising horses, beef cattle, or sheep
  2. a farm or area devoted to a particular specialty
  3. ranch house
  4. to live or work on a ranch
  5. to work as a rancher on
  6. to raise on a ranch

ranch dressing -n

  1. a creamy salad dressing usu. containing milk or buttermilk and mayonnaise

ranch·er ['ran-chər] -n

  1. one who owns or works on a ranch

ran·che·ro [ran-'cher-(,)ō, rän-] -n

  1. rancher
  2. ranch

ranch house -n

  1. the main dwelling house on a ranch
  2. a one-story house typically with a low-pitched roof and an open plan

ranch·man ['ranch-mən] -n

  1. rancher

ran·cho ['ran-(,)chō, 'rän-] -n

  1. ranch

ran·cid ['ran(t)-səd] -adj, n

  1. having a rank smell or taste
  2. offensive

ran·cor ['raŋ-kər, -,kȯr] -n

  1. bitter deep-seated ill will

ran·cor·ous ['raŋ-k(ə-)rəs] -adj, adv

  1. marked by rancor : deeply malevolent
    • rancorous envy

ran·cour ['raŋ-kər, -,kȯr] -n

(variant of rancor)

  1. bitter deep-seated ill will

rand ['rand, 'ränd, 'ränt] -n

  1. a former monetary unit of Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland

ran·dom ['ran-dəm] -n

  1. a haphazard course

random -adj, adv, n

  1. lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern
  2. made, done, or chosen at random
    • read random passages from the book
  3. relating to, having, or being elements or events with definite probability of occurrence
    • random processes
  4. being or relating to a set or to an element of a set each of whose elements has equal probability of occurrence
    • a random sample
  5. characterized by procedures designed to obtain such sets or elements
    • random sampling
  6. in a random manner

randomaccess -adj

  1. permitting access to stored data in any order the user desires

randomaccess memory -n

  1. ram

ran·dom·ize ['ran-də-,mīz] -vt, n

  1. to select, assign, or arrange in a random way

randomized block -n

  1. an experimental design (as in horticulture) in which different treatments are distributed in random order in a block or plot called also randomized block design

random variable -n

  1. a variable that is itself a function of the result of a statistical experiment in which each outcome has a definite probability of occurrence called also variate

random walk -n

  1. a process (as Brownian motion or genetic drift) consisting of a sequence of steps (as movements or changes in gene frequency) each of whose characteristics (as magnitude and direction) is determined by chance

randy ['ran-dē] -adj, n

  1. having a coarse manner
  2. lustful, lecherous
  3. a scolding or dissolute woman

rang ['riŋ] -n, adj

(variant of ring)

  1. a circular band for holding, connecting, hanging, pulling, packing, or sealing
    • a key ring
    • a towel ring
  2. a circlet usu. of precious metal worn esp. on the finger
  3. a circular line, figure, or object
    • smoke ring
  4. an encircling arrangement
    • a ring of suburbs
  5. a circular or spiral course often used figuratively in pl. in the phrase run rings around to describe surpassing an opponent decisively
  6. an often circular space esp. for exhibitions or competitions
  7. such a space at a circus
  8. a structure containing such a ring
  9. a square enclosure in which a fighting contest (as a boxing or wrestling match) takes place
  10. a band of small objects revolving around a planet (as Saturn) and composed of dust and icy or rocky fragments
  11. annual ring
  12. an exclusive combination of persons for a selfish and often corrupt purpose (as to control a market)
    • a wheat ring
  13. gang
  14. the field of a political contest : race
  15. food in the shape of a circle
  16. an arrangement of atoms represented in formulas or models in a cyclic manner called also cycle
  17. a set of mathematical elements that is closed under two binary operations of which the first forms a commutative group with the set and the second is associative over the set and is distributive with respect to the first operation
  18. a pair of usu. rubber-covered metal rings suspended from a ceiling or crossbar to a height of approximately eight feet above the floor and used for hanging, swinging, and balancing feats in gymnastics
  19. an event in gymnastics competition in which the rings are used
  20. boxing
    • ended his ring career
  21. to provide with a ring
  22. to place or form a ring around : encircle
    • police ring ed the building
  23. girdle
  24. to throw a ringer over (the peg) in a game (as horseshoes or quoits)
  25. to move in a ring
  26. to rise in the air spirally
  27. to form or take the shape of a ring
  28. to sound resonantly or sonorously
    • the doorbell rang
    • cheers rang out
  29. to be filled with a reverberating sound : resound
    • the halls rang with laughter
  30. to have the sensation of being filled with a humming sound
    • his ears rang
  31. to cause something to ring
    • ring for the butler
  32. to be filled with talk or report
    • the whole land rang with her fame
  33. to have great renown
  34. to sound repetitiously
    • their praise rang in his ears
  35. to have a sound or character expressive of some quality
    • a story that ring s true
  36. to make a telephone call usu. used with up
  37. to cause to sound esp. by striking
  38. to make (a sound) by or as if by ringing a bell
  39. to announce by or as if by ringing
  40. to repeat often, loudly, or earnestly
  41. to summon esp. by bell
  42. telephone usu. used with up
  43. a set of bells
  44. a clear resonant sound made by or resembling that made by vibrating metal
  45. resonant tone : sonority
  46. a loud sound continued, repeated, or reverberated
  47. a sound or character expressive of some particular quality
    • the story had a familiar ring
  48. the act or an instance of ringing
  49. a telephone call

range ['rānj] -n

  1. a series of things in a line : row
  2. a series of mountains
  3. one of the north-south rows of townships in a U.S. public-land survey that are numbered east and west from the principal meridian of the survey
  4. an aggregate of individuals in one order
  5. a direction line
  6. a cooking stove that has an oven and a flat top with burners or heating elements
  7. a place that may be ranged over
  8. an open region over which animals (as livestock) may roam and feed
  9. the region throughout which a kind of organism or ecological community naturally lives or occurs
  10. the act of ranging about
  11. the horizontal distance to which a projectile can be propelled
  12. the horizontal distance between a weapon and target
  13. the maximum distance a vehicle or craft can travel without refueling
  14. a place where shooting is practiced
  15. driving range
  16. the space or extent included, covered, or used : scope
  17. the extent of pitch covered by a melody or lying within the capacity of a voice or instrument
  18. a sequence, series, or scale between limits
    • a wide range of patterns
  19. the limits of a series : the distance or extent between possible extremes
  20. the difference between the least and greatest values of an attribute or of the variable of a frequency distribution
  21. the set of values a function may take on
  22. the class of admissible values of a variable
  23. line
  24. to set in a row or in the proper order
  25. to place among others in a position or situation
  26. to assign to a category : classify
  27. to rove over or through
  28. to sail or pass along
  29. to arrange (an anchor cable) on deck
  30. to graze (livestock) on a range
  31. to roam at large or freely
  32. to move over an area so as to explore it
  33. to take a position
  34. to correspond in direction or line : align
  35. to extend in a particular direction
  36. to have range
  37. to change or differ within limits
  38. to live or occur in or be native to a region

range finder -n

  1. an instrument used in gunnery to determine the distance of a target
  2. a surveying instrument (as a transit) for determining quickly the distances, bearings, and elevations of distant objects
  3. a usu. built-in adjustable optical device for focusing a camera that automatically indicates the correct focus (as when two parts of a split image are brought together)

range·land ['rānj-,land] -n

  1. land used or suitable for range

rang·er ['rān-jər] -n

  1. the keeper of a British royal park or forest
  2. forest ranger
  3. one that ranges
  4. one of a body of organized armed men who range over a region esp. to enforce the law
  5. a soldier specially trained in close-range fighting and in raiding tactics

rangy ['rān-jē] -adj, n

  1. able to range for considerable distances
  2. long-limbed and long-bodied
    • rangy cattle
  3. tall and slender
  4. having room for ranging
  5. having great scope

ra·ni [rä-'nē, 'rä-,nē] -n

  1. a Hindu queen : a rajah's wife

ra·nid ['ra-nəd, 'rā-] -n

  1. any of a large family (Ranidae) of long-legged frogs distinguished by extensively webbed hind feet, horizontal pupils, and a bony sternum

ra·nit·i·dine [ra-'ni-tə-,dēn] -n

  1. a histamine blocker C 13H 22N 4O 3S that is administered in the form of its hydrochloride to inhibit gastric acid secretion

rank ['raŋk] -adj, adv, n

  1. luxuriantly or excessively vigorous in growth
  2. offensively gross or coarse : foul
  3. grown too large
  4. shockingly conspicuous
    • must lecture him on his rank disloyalty -- David Walden
  5. outright used as an intensive
    • rank beginners
  6. lustful, ruttish
  7. offensive in odor or flavor
  8. rancid
  9. putrid, festering
  10. high in amount or degree : fraught
  11. row, series
  12. a row of people
  13. a line of soldiers ranged side by side in close order
  14. armed forces
  15. the body of enlisted personnel
  16. any of the rows of squares that extend across a chessboard perpendicular to the files
  17. stand
  18. relative standing or position
  19. a degree or position of dignity, eminence, or excellence : distinction
    • soon took rank as a leading attorney -- J. D. Hicks
  20. high social position
    • the privileges of rank
  21. a grade of official standing in a hierarchy
  22. an orderly arrangement : formation
  23. an aggregate of individuals classed together usu. used in pl.
  24. the order according to some statistical characteristic (as the score on a test)
  25. any of a series of classes of coal based on increasing alteration of the parent vegetable matter, increasing carbon content, and increasing fuel value
  26. the number of linearly independent rows or columns in a matrix
  27. to arrange in lines or in a regular formation
  28. to determine the relative position of : rate
    • a highly rank ed prospect
  29. to take precedence of
  30. to form or move in ranks
  31. to take or have a position in relation to others
    • rank s first in her class

rank and file [,raŋk-ᵊn-'fī(-ə)l] -n, adj

  1. the enlisted personnel of an armed force
  2. the individuals who constitute the body of an organization, society, or nation as distinguished from the leaders

rank correlation -n

  1. a measure of correlation depending on rank

rank·er ['raŋ-kər] -n

  1. one who serves or has served in the ranks
  2. a commissioned officer promoted from the ranks

Ran·kine ['raŋ-kən] -adj

  1. being, according to, or relating to an absolute-temperature scale on which the unit of measurement equals a Fahrenheit degree and on which the freezing point of water is 491.67 and the boiling point 671.67

rank·ing ['raŋ-kiŋ] -adj

  1. : having a high position: as
  2. of the highest rank
    • the ranking officer
  3. being next to the chairman in seniority
    • ranking committee member

ran·kle ['raŋ-kəl] -vb

  1. to cause anger, irritation, or deep bitterness
  2. to feel anger and irritation
  3. to cause irritation or bitterness in

ran·sack ['ran-,sak, (,)ran-'] -vt, n

  1. to search thoroughly
  2. to examine closely and carefully
  3. to search through to commit robbery : plunder

ran·som ['ran(t)-səm] -n

  1. a consideration paid or demanded for the release of someone or something from captivity
  2. the act of ransoming

ransom -vt, n

  1. to deliver esp. from sin or its penalty
  2. to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price

rant ['rant] -vb, n, adv

  1. to talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
  2. to scold vehemently
  3. to utter in a bombastic declamatory fashion
  4. a bombastic extravagant speech
  5. bombastic extravagant language
  6. a rousing good time

ran·u·la ['ran-yə-lə] -n

  1. a cyst formed under the tongue by obstruction of a gland duct

ra·nun·cu·lus [rə-'nəŋ-kyə-ləs] -n

  1. buttercup

rap ['rap] -n

  1. a sharp blow or knock
  2. a sharp rebuke or criticism
  3. a negative and often undeserved reputation or charge often used with bum or bad
    • given a bum rap by the press
  4. the responsibility for or adverse consequences of an action
    • refused to take the rap
  5. a criminal charge
  6. a prison sentence
  7. to strike with a sharp blow
  8. to utter suddenly and forcibly
  9. to cause to be or come by raps
    • rap the meeting to order
  10. to criticize sharply
  11. to strike a quick sharp blow
  12. to make a short sharp sound
  13. to snatch away or upward
  14. enrapture
  15. a minimum amount or degree (as of care or consideration) : the least bit
    • doesn't care a rap
  16. to talk freely and frankly
  17. to perform rap music
  18. talk, conversation
  19. a line of talk : patter
  20. a rhythmic chanting often in unison of usu. rhymed couplets to a musical accompaniment
  21. a piece so performed

ra·pa·cious [rə-'pā-shəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. excessively grasping or covetous
  2. living on prey
  3. ravenous
    • a rapacious appetite

ra·pac·i·ty [rə-'pa-sə-tē] -n

  1. the quality of being rapacious

rape ['rāp] -n

  1. an Old World herb ( Brassica napus) of the mustard family grown as a forage crop and for its seeds which yield rapeseed oil and are a bird food
  2. to seize and take away by force
  3. despoil
  4. to commit rape on
  5. an act or instance of robbing or despoiling or carrying away a person by force
  6. unlawful sexual activity and usu. sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against the will usu. of a female or with a person who is beneath a certain age or incapable of valid consent
  7. an outrageous violation
  8. grape pomace

rape·seed ['rāp-,sēd] -n

  1. the seed of the rape plant
  2. rape

rapeseed oil -n

  1. a nondrying or semidrying oil obtained from rapeseed and turnip seed and used chiefly as a lubricant, illuminant, and food called also rape oil

Ra·pha·el ['ra-fē-əl, 'rā-, -,el] -n

  1. one of the four archangels named in Hebrew tradition

ra·phe ['rā-(,)fē] -n

  1. the seamlike union of the two lateral halves of a part or organ (as the tongue) having externally a ridge or furrow
  2. the part of the stalk of an anatropous ovary that is united in growth to the outside covering and forms a ridge along the body of the ovule
  3. the median line or slit of the valve of certain diatoms

ra·phia ['rā-fē-ə, 'ra-] -n

  1. raffia

raph·ide ['ra-,fīd] -n

  1. any of the needle-shaped crystals usu. of calcium oxalate that develop as metabolic by-products in plant cells

rap·id ['ra-pəd] -adj, adv, n

  1. marked by a fast rate of motion, activity, succession, or occurrence

rapid -n

  1. a part of a river where the current is fast and the surface is usu. broken by obstructions usu. used in pl. but sing. or pl. in constr.

rapid eye movement -n

  1. a rapid conjugate movement of the eyes associated esp. with REM sleep

rapid eye movement sleep -n

  1. rem sleep

rap·idfire [,ra-pəd-'fī(-ə)r] -adj

  1. firing or adapted for firing shots in rapid succession
  2. marked by rapidity, liveliness, or sharpness
    • a comedian with a rapidfire delivery

ra·pid·i·ty [rə-'pi-də-tē, ra-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being rapid

rapid transit -n

  1. fast passenger transportation (as by subway) in urban areas

ra·pi·er ['rā-pē-ər] -n

  1. a straight 2-edged sword with a narrow pointed blade

rapier -adj

  1. extremely sharp or keen
    • a rapier wit

rap·ine ['ra-pən, -,pīn] -n

  1. pillage, plunder

ra·pi·ni [ra-'pē-nē] -n

  1. broccoli rabe

rap·pa·ree [,ra-pə-'rē] -n

  1. an Irish irregular soldier or bandit
  2. vagabond, plunderer

rap·pee [ra-'pā] -n

  1. a pungent snuff made from dark tobacco leaves

rap·pel [rə-'pel, ra-] -vi, n

  1. to descend (as from a cliff) by sliding down a rope passed under one thigh, across the body, and over the opposite shoulder or through a special friction device

rap·pen ['rä-pən] -n

  1. the centime of Switzerland

rap·per ['ra-pər] -n

  1. : one that raps or is used for rapping: as
  2. a door knocker
  3. a performer of rap music

rap·port [ra-'pȯr, rə-] -n

  1. relation
  2. relation marked by harmony, conformity, accord, or affinity

rap·por·teur [,ra-,pȯr-'tər] -n

  1. a person who gives reports (as at a meeting of a learned society)

rap·proche·ment [,ra-,prōsh-'mäⁿ, -,prȯsh-; ra-'prōsh-,] -n

  1. establishment of or state of having cordial relations

rap·scal·lion [rap-'skal-yən] -n

  1. rascal, ne'er-do-well

rap sheet -n

  1. a police arrest record esp. for an individual

rapt ['rapt] -adj, adv, n

  1. lifted up and carried away
  2. transported with emotion : enraptured
  3. wholly absorbed : engrossed

rap·tor ['rap-tər, -,tȯr] -n

  1. bird of prey
  2. a usu. small-to-medium-sized predatory dinosaur (as a velociraptor or deinonychus)

rap·to·ri·al [rap-'tȯr-ē-əl] -adj

  1. predaceous
  2. adapted to seize prey
  3. of, relating to, or being a bird of prey

rap·ture ['rap-chər] -n, adj, adv

  1. an expression or manifestation of ecstasy or passion
  2. a state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
  3. a mystical experience in which the spirit is exalted to a knowledge of divine things
  4. the final assumption of Christians into heaven during the end-time according to Christian theology

rapture -vt

  1. enrapture

rapture of the deep

  1. nitrogen narcosis

ra·ra avis [,rer-ə-'ā-vəs, ,rär-ə-'ä-wəs] -n

  1. rarity

rare ['rer] -adj, n

  1. marked by wide separation of component particles : thin
    • rare air
  2. marked by unusual quality, merit, or appeal : distinctive
  3. superlative or extreme of its kind
  4. seldom occurring or found : uncommon
  5. cooked so that the inside is still red
    • rare roast beef

rare bird -n

  1. rarity , rara avis

rare·bit ['rer-bət] -n

  1. welsh rabbit

rare earth -n

  1. any of a group of similar oxides of metals or a mixture of such oxides occurring together in widely distributed but relatively scarce minerals
  2. rare earth element

rare earth element -n

  1. any of a series of metallic elements of which the oxides are classed as rare earths and which include the elements of the lanthanide series and sometimes yttrium and scandium called also rare earth metal

rar·eeshow ['rer-ē-,shō] -n

  1. a small display or scene viewed in a box : peep show
  2. an unusual or amazing show or spectacle

rar·e·fac·tion [,rer-ə-'fak-shən] -n, adj

  1. the action or process of rarefying
  2. the quality or state of being rarefied
  3. a state or region of minimum pressure in a medium traversed by compressional waves (as sound waves)

rarefied -adj

  1. being less dense
  2. of, relating to, or interesting to a select group : esoteric
  3. very high

rar·e·fy ['rer-ə-,fī] -vb

  1. to make rare, thin, porous, or less dense : to expand without the addition of matter
  2. to make more spiritual, refined, or abstruse
  3. to become less dense

rare·ly ['rer-lē] -adv

  1. not often : seldom
  2. with rare skill : excellently
  3. in an extreme or exceptional manner

rare·ripe ['rer-,rīp] -n

  1. an early ripening fruit or vegetable
  2. green onion

rar·ing ['rer-ən, -iŋ] -adj

  1. full of enthusiasm or eagerness
    • ready and raring to go

rar·i·ty ['rer-ə-tē] -n

  1. the quality, state, or fact of being rare
  2. one that is rare

ras ['ras] -n

  1. any of a family of genes that undergo mutation to oncogenes and esp. to some commonly linked to human cancers (as of the colon, lung, and pancreas)

ras·bo·ra [raz-'bȯr-ə] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Rasbora) of tiny brilliantly colored cyprinid freshwater fishes often kept in tropical aquariums

ras·cal ['ras-kəl] -n, adj

  1. a mean, unprincipled, or dishonest person
  2. a mischievous person or animal

ras·cal·i·ty [ra-'ska-lə-tē] -n

  1. rabble
  2. the character or actions of a rascal : knavery
  3. a rascally act

ras·cal·ly ['ras-kə-lē] -adj, adv

  1. of or characteristic of a rascal

rase ['rāz] -vt

  1. erase
  2. raze

rash ['rash] -adv

  1. in a rash manner
  2. marked by or proceeding from undue haste or lack of deliberation or caution
    • a rash promise
  3. quickly effective
  4. an eruption on the body
  5. a large number of instances in a short period
    • a rash of complaints

rash·er ['ra-shər] -n

  1. a thin slice of bacon or ham broiled or fried
  2. a portion consisting of several such slices

rasp ['rasp] -vb, n, adv

  1. to rub with something rough
  2. to abrade with a rasp
  3. to grate upon : irritate
  4. to utter in a raspy tone
  5. scrape
  6. to produce a grating sound
  7. a coarse file with cutting points instead of lines
  8. something used for rasping
  9. an act of rasping
  10. a rasping sound, sensation, or effect

rasp·ber·ry ['raz-,ber-ē, -b(ə-)rē] -n

  1. any of various usu. black or red edible berries that are aggregate fruits consisting of numerous small drupes on a fleshy receptacle and that are usu. rounder and smaller than the closely related blackberries
  2. a perennial plant (genus Rubus) of the rose family that bears raspberries
  3. a sound of contempt made by protruding the tongue between the lips and expelling air forcibly to produce a vibration
  4. an expression of disapproval or contempt

raspy ['ras-pē] -adj

  1. harsh, grating
  2. irritable

ras·sle ['ra-səl] -vi

  1. wrestle

Ras·ta ['ras-tə, 'räs-] -n, adj

  1. rastafarian

Ras·ta·far·i·an [,ras-tə-'fer-ē-ən, ,räs-tə-'fär-] -n, adj

  1. an adherent of Rastafarianism

Ras·ta·far·i·an·ism [-ē-ə-,ni-zəm] -n

  1. a religious movement among black Jamaicans that teaches the eventual redemption of blacks and their return to Africa, employs the ritualistic use of marijuana, forbids the cutting of hair, and venerates Haile Selassie as a god

ras·ter ['ras-tər] -n

  1. a scan pattern (as of the electron beam in a cathode-ray tube) in which an area is scanned from side to side in lines from top to bottom
  2. a pattern of closely spaced rows of dots that form an image (as on the cathode-ray tube of a television or computer display)

ra·sure ['rā-shər, -zhər] -n

  1. erasure, obliteration

rat ['rat] -n, adj

  1. any of numerous rodents ( Rattusand related genera) differing from the related mice esp. by considerably larger size
  2. any of various similar rodents
  3. : a contemptible person: as
  4. one who betrays or deserts friends or associates
  5. scab
  6. informer
  7. a pad over which a woman's hair is arranged
  8. a person who spends much time in a specified place
    • a mall rat
  9. to betray, desert, or inform on one's associates usu. used with on
  10. to catch or hunt rats
  11. to work as a scab
  12. to give (hair) the effect of greater quantity (as by use of a rat)
  13. to inform on : turn in usu. used with out
    • ratted out his accomplice

rat·able ['rā-tə-bəl] -adj, adv

  1. capable of being rated, estimated, or apportioned

rat·a·fia [,ra-tə-'fē-ə] -n

  1. a liqueur made from an infusion of macerated fruit or fruit juice in a liquor (as brandy) and often flavored with almonds
  2. a sweet biscuit made of almond paste

rat·a·plan ['ra-tə-,plan] -n

  1. the iterative sound of beating
    • a rolling rataplan of drums -- Time

ratatat ['ra-tə-,tat] -n

  1. a rapid succession of knocking, tapping, or cracking sounds

ra·ta·tou·ille [,ra-,ta-'twē, ,rä-,tä-, -'tü-ē] -n

  1. a seasoned stew made of eggplant, tomatoes, green peppers, squash, and sometimes meat

rat·bag ['rat-,bag] -n

  1. a stupid, eccentric, or disagreeable person

ratbite fever -n

  1. either of two febrile bacterial diseases of humans usu. transmitted by the bite of a rat

rat cheese -n

  1. cheddar

ratch·et ['ra-chət] -n

  1. a mechanism that consists of a bar or wheel having inclined teeth into which a pawl drops so that motion can be imparted to the wheel or bar, governed, or prevented and that is used in a hand tool (as a wrench or screwdriver) to allow effective motion in one direction only
  2. a pawl or detent for holding or propelling a toothed wheel

ratchet -vt

  1. to cause to move by steps or degrees usu. used with up or down
    • tried to ratchet down the debt
  2. to proceed by steps or degrees

rate ['rāt] -vb

  1. to rebuke angrily or violently
  2. to drive away by scolding
  3. to voice angry reprimands
  4. reckoned value : valuation
  5. estimation
  6. a fixed quantity
  7. a fixed ratio between two things
  8. : a charge, payment, or price fixed according to a ratio, scale, or standard: as
  9. a charge per unit of a public-service commodity
  10. a charge per unit of freight or passenger service
  11. a unit charge or ratio used in assessing property taxes
  12. a local tax
  13. a quantity, amount, or degree of something measured per unit of something else
    • her typing rate was 80 words per minute
  14. an amount of payment or charge based on another amount
  15. the amount of premium per unit of insurance
  16. relative condition or quality : class
  17. allot
  18. to set an estimate on : value, esteem
    • black is rated very high this season
  19. to determine or assign the relative rank or class of : grade
    • rate a seaman
  20. to estimate the normal capacity or power of
  21. consider, regard
    • was rated an excellent pianist
  22. to fix the amount of premium to be charged per unit of insurance on
  23. to have a right to : deserve
    • she rated special privileges
  24. to enjoy a status of special privilege
    • really rate s with the boss

ra·tel ['rä-tᵊl, 'rā-] -n

  1. an African or Asian nocturnal omnivorous mammal ( Mellivora capensis) of the weasel family that resembles a badger

rate·me·ter ['rāt-,mē-tər] -n

  1. an instrument that indicates the counting rate of an electronic counter

rate of change

  1. a value that results from dividing the change in a function of a variable by the change in the variable
    • velocity is the rate of change in distance with respect to time

rate of exchange

  1. the amount of one currency that will buy a given amount of another

rate·pay·er ['rāt-,pā-ər] -n

  1. taxpayer
  2. one who pays for a utility service and esp. electricity according to established rates

rat·er ['rā-tər] -n

  1. one that rates
  2. a person who estimates or determines a rating
  3. one having a specified rating or class usu. used in combination
    • first- rater

rat fink -n

  1. fink, informer

rat·fish ['rat-,fish] -n

  1. chimaera
  2. a silvery iridescent white-spotted chimaera ( Hydrolagus colliei) of cold deep waters of the Pacific coast of No. America

rathe ['rāth, 'rath] -adj

  1. early
    • bring the rathe primrose that forsaken dies -- John Milton

rath·er ['ra-thər, 'rä-, 'rə- also 're-; interjectionally 'ra-'thər, 'rä-, 'rə-] -adv

  1. with better reason or more propriety : more properly
    • this you should pity rather than despise -- Shak.
  2. more readily or willingly : preferably
    • I'd rather not go
    • would rather read than watch television
    often used interjectionally to express affirmation
  3. more correctly speaking
    • my father, or rather my stepfather
  4. to the contrary : instead
    • was no better but rather grew worse -- Mk 5:26 (RSV)
  5. in some degree : somewhat
    • it's rather warm
    often used as a mild intensive
    • spent rather a lot of money

rather than -conj

  1. used with the infinitive form of a verb to indicate negation as a contrary choice or wish
    • rather than continue the argument, he walked away
    • chose to sing rather than play violin
  2. and not
    • obscures rather than resolves the problem
    • why do one thing rather than another?
    • happy rather than sad
  3. instead of
    • rather than being pleased, she was angry

raths·kel·ler ['rät-,ske-lər, 'rat-, 'rath-] -n

  1. a usu. basement tavern or restaurant

rat·i·cide ['ra-tə-,sīd] -n

  1. a substance for killing rats

rat·i·fy ['ra-tə-,fī] -vt, n

  1. to approve and sanction formally : confirm
    • ratify a treaty

ra·ti·ne [,ra-tə-'nā] -n

  1. a rough bulky fabric usu. woven loosely in plain weave from ratine yarns
  2. a nubby ply yarn of various fibers made by twisting under tension a thick and a thin yarn

rating -n

  1. a classification according to grade
  2. a military or naval specialist classification
  3. a naval enlisted man
  4. relative estimate or evaluation : standing
    • the school has a good academic rating
  5. an estimate of an individual's or business's credit and responsibility
  6. an estimate of the percentage of the public listening to or viewing a particular radio or television program
  7. a stated operating limit of a machine expressible in power units (as kilowatts of a direct-current generator) or in characteristics (as voltage)

ra·tio ['rā-(,)shō, -shē-,ō] -n

  1. the indicated quotient of two mathematical expressions
  2. the relationship in quantity, amount, or size between two or more things : proportion
  3. the expression of the relative values of gold and silver as determined by a country's currency laws

ra·ti·o·ci·nate [,ra-tē-'ō-sə-,nāt, ,ra-shē-, -'ä-] -vi, n

  1. reason

ra·ti·o·ci·na·tion [-,ō-sə-'nā-shən, -,nä-] -n, adj

  1. the process of exact thinking : reasoning
  2. a reasoned train of thought

ra·tion ['ra-shən, 'rā-] -n

  1. a food allowance for one day
  2. food, provisions
  3. a share esp. as determined by supply

ration ['ra-sh(ə-)niŋ, 'rā-] -vt

  1. to supply with or put on rations
  2. to distribute as rations often used with out
  3. to distribute equitably
  4. to use sparingly

ra·tio·nal ['rash-nəl, 'ra-shə-nᵊl] -adj, adv, n

  1. having reason or understanding
  2. relating to, based on, or agreeable to reason : reasonable
    • a rational explanation
    • rational behavior
  3. involving only multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction and only a finite number of times
  4. relating to, consisting of, or being one or more rational numbers
    • a rational root of an equation

rational -n

  1. something rational
  2. rational number

ra·tio·nale [,ra-shə-'nal] -n

  1. an explanation of controlling principles of opinion, belief, practice, or phenomena
  2. an underlying reason : basis

rational function -n

  1. a function that is the quotient of two polynomials
  2. polynomial

ra·tio·nal·ise ['rash-nə-,līz, 'ra-shə-nə-,līz] -vb, adj, n

(variant of rationalize)

  1. : to bring into accord with reason or cause something to seem reasonable: as
  2. to substitute a natural for a supernatural explanation of
    • rationalize a myth
  3. to attribute (one's actions) to rational and creditable motives without analysis of true and esp. unconscious motives
    • rationalized his dislike of his brother
  4. to create an excuse or more attractive explanation for
    • rationalize the problem
  5. to free (a mathematical expression) from irrational parts
    • rationalize a denominator
  6. to apply the principles of scientific management to (as an industry or its operations) for a desired result (as increased efficiency)
  7. to provide plausible but untrue reasons for conduct

ra·tio·nal·ism ['rash-nə-,li-zəm, 'ra-shə-nə-,li-] -n, adj, adv

  1. reliance on reason as the basis for establishment of religious truth
  2. a theory that reason is in itself a source of knowledge superior to and independent of sense perceptions
  3. a view that reason and experience rather than the nonrational are the fundamental criteria in the solution of problems
  4. functionalism

ra·tio·nal·i·ty [,ra-shə-'na-lə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being rational
  2. the quality or state of being agreeable to reason : reasonableness
  3. a rational opinion, belief, or practice usu. used in pl.

ra·tio·nal·ize ['rash-nə-,līz, 'ra-shə-nə-,līz] -vb, adj, n

  1. : to bring into accord with reason or cause something to seem reasonable: as
  2. to substitute a natural for a supernatural explanation of
    • rationalize a myth
  3. to attribute (one's actions) to rational and creditable motives without analysis of true and esp. unconscious motives
    • rationalized his dislike of his brother
  4. to create an excuse or more attractive explanation for
    • rationalize the problem
  5. to free (a mathematical expression) from irrational parts
    • rationalize a denominator
  6. to apply the principles of scientific management to (as an industry or its operations) for a desired result (as increased efficiency)
  7. to provide plausible but untrue reasons for conduct

rational number -n

  1. a number that can be expressed as an integer or the quotient of an integer divided by a nonzero integer

rat·ite ['ra-,tīt] -n, adj

  1. a bird with a flat breastbone
  2. any of various mostly flightless birds (as an ostrich, rhea, emu, moa, or kiwi) with small or rudimentary wings and no keel on the sternum that are prob. of polyphyletic origin and are assigned to a number of different orders

rat·line ['rat-lən] -n

  1. any of the small transverse ropes attached to the shrouds of a ship so as to form the steps of a rope ladder usu. used in pl.

ra·toon [ra-'tün] -n

  1. a shoot of a perennial plant (as sugarcane)
  2. a crop (as of bananas) produced on ratoons

ratoon -vi

  1. to sprout or spring up from the root
  2. to grow or produce (a crop) from or on ratoons

rat race -n

  1. strenuous, wearisome, and usu. competitive activity or rush

rats ['rats] -interj

  1. used to express disappointment, frustration, or disgust

rat snake -n

  1. any of various large harmless chiefly rat-eating colubrid snakes (esp. genus Elaphe) called also chicken snake

rat·tail ['rat-,tāl] -n

  1. a horse's tail with little or no hair
  2. grenadier

rattail cactus -n

  1. a commonly cultivated tropical American cactus ( Aporocactus flagelliformis) with showy crimson flowers

rattail file -n

  1. a round slender tapered file

rat·tan [ra-'tan, rə-] -n

  1. a rattan cane or switch
  2. a climbing palm (esp. of the genera Calamusand Daemonorops) with very long tough stems
  3. a part of the jointed stem of a rattan used esp. for furniture, wickerwork, and walking sticks

rat·teen [ra-'tēn] -n

  1. a coarse woolen fabric

rat·ter ['ra-tər] -n

  1. one that catches rats
  2. a rat-catching dog or cat

rat·tle ['ra-tᵊl] -vb

  1. to make a rapid succession of short sharp noises
    • the windows rattled in the wind
  2. to chatter incessantly and aimlessly
  3. to move with a clatter or rattle
  4. to be or move about in a place or station too large or grand
    • rattled around the big old house
  5. to say, perform, or affect in a brisk lively fashion
    • rattled off four magnificent backhands -- Kim Chapin
  6. to cause to make a rattling sound
  7. rouse
  8. to beat (a cover) for game
  9. to upset esp. to the point of loss of poise and composure : disturb

rattle -n

  1. a device that produces a rattle
  2. a case containing pellets used as a baby's toy
  3. the sound-producing organ on a rattlesnake's tail
  4. a rapid succession of sharp clattering sounds
  5. noise, racket
  6. death rattle
  7. to furnish with ratlines

rat·tle·brain ['ra-tᵊl-,brān] -n, adj

  1. a flighty or thoughtless person

rat·tler ['rat-lər, 'ra-tᵊl-ər] -n

  1. one that rattles
  2. rattlesnake

rat·tle·snake ['ra-tᵊl-,snāk] -n

  1. any of several American pit vipers (genera Crotalusand Sistrurus) that have horny interlocking joints at the end of the tail which make a sharp rattling sound when shaken

rattlesnake master -n

  1. button snakeroot

rattlesnake plantain -n

  1. any of a genus ( Goodyera) of orchids with variegated leaves and small flowers in a twisted spike

rattlesnake root -n

  1. : any of various plants formerly believed to be distasteful to rattlesnakes or effective against their venom: as
  2. any of a genus ( Prenanthes,esp. P. altissima) of composite plants with small heads of drooping ligulate flowers
  3. seneca snakeroot

rattlesnake weed -n

  1. a hawkweed ( Hieracium venosum) of eastern No. America with purple-veined leaves

rat·tle·trap ['ra-tᵊl-,trap] -n, adj

  1. something rattly or rickety
  2. an old car

rat·tling ['rat-liŋ] -adj, adv

  1. lively, brisk
    • moved at a rattling pace
  2. extraordinarily good : splendid

rattling -adv

  1. to an extreme degree : very
    • a rattling good story

rat·tly ['rat-lē, 'ra-tᵊl-ē] -adj

  1. likely to rattle : making a rattle

rat·ton ['ra-tᵊn, 'rä-] -n

  1. rat

rat·trap ['ra(t)-,trap] -n

  1. a trap for rats
  2. a dirty dilapidated structure
  3. a hopeless situation

rat trap cheese -n

  1. cheddar

rat·ty ['ra-tē] -adj

  1. infested with rats
  2. of, relating to, or suggestive of a rat
  3. shabby, unkempt
    • a ratty brown overcoat -- John Lardner
  4. despicable, treacherous
  5. irritable
    • feeling ratty as hell -- Richard Bissell

rau·cous ['rȯ-kəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. disagreeably harsh or strident : hoarse
    • raucous voices
  2. boisterously disorderly
    • a...raucous frontier town -- Truman Capote

raunch ['rȯnch, 'ränch] -n

  1. vulgarity, lewdness

raun·chy ['rȯn-chē, 'rän-] -adj, adv, n

  1. slovenly, dirty
    • a raunchy panhandler
  2. very smelly
    • raunchy sneakers
  3. obscene, smutty
    • raunchy jokes

rau·wol·fia [rau̇-'wu̇l-fē-ə, rȯ-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Rauvolfiasyn. Rauwolfia) of pantropical trees and shrubs of the dogbane family that yield medicinal alkaloids (as reserpine)
  2. the dried root or an extract from the root of a rauwolfia (esp. Rauvolfia serpentinaof Asia) used chiefly in the treatment of hypertension

rav·age ['ra-vij] -n

  1. an act or practice of ravaging
  2. damage resulting from ravaging : violently destructive effect
    • the ravage s of time

ravage [-vij-mənt] -vb, n

  1. to wreak havoc on : affect destructively
    • a land ravaged by war
  2. to commit destructive actions

rave ['rāv] -vb

  1. to talk irrationally in or as if in delirium
  2. to speak out wildly
  3. to talk with extreme enthusiasm
    • raved about its beauty
  4. to move or advance violently : storm
    • the iced gusts still rave and beat -- John Keats
  5. to utter in madness or frenzy
  6. an act or instance of raving
  7. an extravagantly favorable criticism
    • the play received the critics' rave s
  8. a large overnight dance party featuring techno music and usu. involving the taking of mind-altering drugs

rav·el ['ra-vəl] -vb, n

  1. to separate or undo the texture of : unravel
  2. to undo the intricacies of : disentangle
  3. entangle, confuse
  4. to become entangled or confused
  5. to become unwoven, untwisted, or unwound : fray
  6. break up, crumble

ravel -n

  1. : an act or result of raveling: as
  2. something tangled
  3. something raveled out
  4. a loose thread

raveling -n

  1. ravel

ra·ven ['rā-vən] -n

  1. a large glossy black corvine bird ( Corvus corax) of Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and America

raven -adj

  1. shiny and black like a raven's feathers
    • raven hair

rav·en ['ra-vən] -vb, n

  1. to feed greedily
  2. to prowl for food : prey
  3. plunder
  4. to devour greedily
  5. despoil
    • men...raven the earth, destroying its resources -- New Yorker

rav·en·ous ['ra-və-nəs, 'rav-nəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. rapacious
    • ravenous wolves
  2. very eager or greedy for food, satisfaction, or gratification
    • a ravenous appetite

rav·er ['rā-vər] -n

  1. one that raves
  2. a person who frequents raves

rav·in ['ra-vən] -n

  1. plunder, pillage
  2. an act or habit of preying
  3. something seized as prey

ra·vine [rə-'vēn] -n

  1. a small narrow steep-sided valley that is larger than a gully and smaller than a canyon and that is usu. worn by running water

rav·ined ['ra-vənd] -adj

  1. rapacious, ravenous

raving -n

  1. irrational, incoherent, wild, or extravagant utterance or declamation usu. used in pl.
  2. talking wildly or irrationally
    • a raving lunatic
  3. ravishing
    • a raving beauty

rav·i·o·li [,ra-vē-'ō-lē, ,rä-] -n

  1. pasta in the form of little cases of dough containing a savory filling (as of meat or cheese)

rav·ish ['ra-vish] -vt, n

  1. to seize and take away by violence
  2. to overcome with emotion (as joy or delight)
    • ravish ed by the scenic beauty
  3. rape
  4. plunder, rob

rav·ish·ing ['ra-vi-shiŋ] -adj, adv

  1. unusually attractive, pleasing, or striking

raw ['rȯ] -adj, adv, n

  1. not cooked
  2. being in or nearly in the natural state : not processed or purified
    • raw fibers
    • raw sewage
  3. not diluted or blended
    • raw spirits
  4. unprepared or imperfectly prepared for use
  5. not being in polished, finished, or processed form
    • raw data
    • a raw draft of a thesis
  6. having the surface abraded or chafed
  7. very irritated
    • a raw sore throat
  8. lacking covering : naked
  9. not protected : susceptible to hurt
    • raw emotions
  10. lacking experience or understanding : green
    • a raw recruit
  11. marked by absence of refinements
  12. vulgar, coarse
    • raw language
  13. not tempered : unbridled
    • raw power
  14. disagreeably damp or cold
    • a raw winter day
  15. a raw place or state

raw bar -n

  1. a counter (as in a restaurant) that serves raw shellfish

raw·boned ['rȯ-,bōnd] -adj

  1. relatively thin with prominent bone structure
  2. heavy-framed and rugged but not attractively built

raw deal -n

  1. an instance of unfair treatment

raw·hide ['rȯ-,hīd] -n

  1. a whip of untanned hide
  2. untanned cattle skin

rawhide -vt

  1. to whip or drive with or as if with a rawhide
  2. chastise

ra·win·sonde ['rā-wən-,sänd] -n

  1. a radiosonde tracked by a radio direction-finding device to determine the velocity of winds aloft

raw material -n

  1. crude or processed material that can be converted by manufacture, processing, or combination into a new and useful product
    • wheat...is raw material for the flour mill -- C. A. Koepke
  2. something with a potential for improvement, development, or elaboration
    • perplexities are often the raw material of discoveries -- Agnes M. Clerke

raw score -n

  1. an individual's actual achievement score (as on a test) before being adjusted for relative position in the test group

rax ['raks] -vb

  1. stretch

ray ['rā] -n

  1. any of an order (Rajiformes) of usu. marine cartilaginous fishes (as stingrays and skates) having the body flattened dorsoventrally, the eyes on the upper surface, and enlarged pectoral fins fused with the head
  2. any of the lines of light that appear to radiate from a bright object
  3. a beam of radiant energy (as light) of small cross section
  4. a stream of material particles traveling in the same line (as in radioactive phenomena)
  5. a single particle of such a stream
  6. light cast by rays : radiance
  7. a moral or intellectual light
  8. : a thin line suggesting a ray: as
  9. any of a group of lines diverging from a common center
  10. half line
  11. one of the bony rods that extend and support the membrane in the fin of a fish
  12. one of the radiating divisions of the body of a radiate animal (as a starfish)
  13. a branch or flower stalk of an umbel
  14. medullary ray
  15. vascular ray
  16. ray flower
  17. particle, trace
    • a ray of hope
  18. to shine in or as if in rays
  19. to issue as rays
  20. to extend like the radii of a circle : radiate
  21. to emit in rays
  22. to furnish or mark with rays

ray flower -n

  1. one of the marginal flowers of the head in a composite plant (as the aster) that also has disk flowers
  2. the entire head in a plant (as chicory) that lacks disk flowers

Ray·leigh scattering ['rā-lē-] -n

  1. scattering of light by particles small enough to render the effect selective so that different colors are deflected through different angles

ray·less ['rā-ləs] -adj, n

  1. having, admitting, or emitting no rays
  2. dark

rayless goldenrod -n

  1. a shrubby to herbaceous composite plant ( Haplopappus heterophyllussyn. Isocoma wrightii) esp. of open saline ground from Texas to Arizona and northern Mexico that lacks ray flowers and causes trembles in cattle

ray·on ['rā-,än] -n

  1. any of a group of smooth textile fibers made from regenerated cellulose by extrusion through minute holes
  2. a rayon yarn, thread, or fabric

raze ['rāz] -vt, n

  1. erase
  2. to scrape, cut, or shave off
  3. to destroy to the ground : demolish
    • raze an old building

ra·zee [rā-'zē] -n

  1. a wooden warship with the upper deck cut away

ra·zor ['rā-zər] -n

  1. a keen-edged cutting instrument for shaving or cutting hair

ra·zor·back ['rā-zər-,bak] -n

  1. a thin-bodied long-legged feral hog chiefly of the southeastern U.S.

ra·zorbacked [-,bakt] -adj

  1. having a sharp narrow back
    • a razorbacked horse

ra·zor·bill [-,bil] -n

  1. a No. Atlantic auk ( Alca torda) with the plumage black above and white below and a compressed sharp-edged bill called also razor-billed auk

razor clam -n

  1. any of a family (Solenidae) of marine lamellibranch mollusks having a long narrow thin shell

razor wire -n

  1. coiled wire fitted with sharp razor edges and used as an obstacle or barrier
  2. concertina wire

razz ['raz] -n

  1. raspberry
  2. heckle, deride
    • the fans razz ed the visiting players

razz·a·ma·tazz [,raz-mə-'taz] -n

(variant of razzmatazz)

  1. razzle-dazzle
  2. double-talk
  3. vim, zing

raz·zledaz·zle [,ra-zəl-'da-zəl] -n, adj

  1. a state of confusion or hilarity
  2. a complex maneuver (as in sports) designed to confuse an opponent
  3. a confusing or colorful often gaudy action or display

razz·ma·tazz [,raz-mə-'taz] -n

  1. razzle-dazzle
  2. double-talk
  3. vim, zing