RI -abbr

  1. refractive index
  2. Rhode Island

RIA -abbr

  1. radioimmunoassay

ri·al·to [rē-'al-(,)tō] -n

  1. exchange, marketplace
  2. a theater district

ri·ant ['rī-ənt, 'rē-; rē-'äⁿ] -adj, adv

  1. gay, mirthful

ri·a·ta [rē-'a-tə, -'ä-] -n

  1. lariat

rib ['rib] -n

  1. any of the paired curved bony or partly cartilaginous rods that stiffen the walls of the body of most vertebrates and protect the viscera
  2. a cut of meat including a rib
  3. a boneless cut of meat (as beef or pork) from a rib section
  4. wife
  5. : something resembling a rib in shape or function: as
  6. a traverse member of the frame of a ship that runs from keel to deck
  7. a light fore-and-aft member in an airplane's wing
  8. one of the stiff strips supporting an umbrella's fabric
  9. one of the arches in Romanesque and Gothic vaulting meeting and crossing one another and dividing the whole vaulted space into triangles
  10. : an elongated ridge: as
  11. a vein of an insect's wing
  12. one of the primary veins of a leaf
  13. one of the ridges in a knitted or woven fabric
  14. to furnish or enclose with ribs
  15. to knit so as to form vertical ridges in
  16. joke
  17. parody
  18. to poke fun at : kid

rib·ald ['ri-bəld also 'ri-,bȯld, 'rī-,bȯld] -n

  1. a ribald person

ribald -adj

  1. crude, offensive
    • ribald language
  2. characterized by or using coarse indecent humor

rib·ald·ry ['ri-bəl-drē also 'rī-] -n

  1. a ribald quality or element
  2. ribald language or humor
  3. an instance of ribald language or humor

rib·and ['ri-bənd] -n

  1. a ribbon used esp. as a decoration

ri·ba·vi·rin [,rī-bə-'vī-rən] -n

  1. a synthetic broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside C 8H 12N 4O 5

rib·band ['ri(b)-,band, 'ri-bən(d)] -n

  1. a long narrow strip or bar used in shipbuilding
  2. one bent and bolted longitudinally to the frames to hold them in position during construction

ribbing -n

  1. an arrangement of ribs

rib·bon ['ri-bən] -n, adj

  1. a flat or tubular narrow closely woven fabric (as of silk or rayon) used for trimmings or knitting
  2. a narrow fabric used for tying packages
  3. a piece of usu. multicolored ribbon worn as a military decoration or in place of a medal
  4. a strip of colored satin given for winning a place in a competition
  5. a strip of inked fabric (as in a typewriter)
  6. reins for controlling an animal
  7. tatter, shred usu. used in pl.
    • a sheet cut to ribbon s
  8. ribband

ribbon -vt

  1. to adorn with ribbons
  2. to divide into ribbons
  3. to cover with or as if with ribbons
  4. to rip to shreds

ribbon development -n

  1. a system of buildings built side by side along a road

rib·bon·fish ['ri-bən-,fish] -n

  1. any of a family (Trachipteridae) of elongate greatly compressed marine bony fishes (as a dealfish) with a long ribbonlike dorsal fin arising from behind the head

ribbon worm -n

  1. nemertean

rib·by ['ri-bē] -adj

  1. showing or marked by ribs

rib cage -n

  1. the bony enclosing wall of the chest consisting chiefly of the ribs and the structures connecting them

ri·bes ['rī-(,)bēz] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Ribes) of shrubs (as a currant or a gooseberry) placed either in the saxifrage or gooseberry family that have small racemose variously colored flowers and pulpy 2-seeded to many-seeded berries

rib eye -n

  1. the large piece of meat that lies along the outer side of the rib (as of a steer)
  2. a serving of this

rib·grass ['rib-,gras] -n

  1. plantain
  2. an Old World plantain ( Plantago lanceolata) with long narrow ribbed leaves

rib·let ['ri-blət] -n

  1. one of the rib ends in the strip of breast of lamb or veal

ribo- -comb form

  1. ribose
    • ribo flavin
  2. ribonucleic acid
    • ribo some

ri·bo·fla·vin [,rī-bə-'flā-vən, 'rī-bə-,] -n

  1. a yellow crystalline compound C 17H 20N 4O 6of the vitamin B complex that occurs both free (as in milk) and combined (as in liver) as a component of coenzymes (as FMN) which are essential to normal metabolism called also vitamin B 2

ri·bo·nu·cle·ase [,rī-bō-'nü-klē-,ās, -'nyü-, -,āz] -n

  1. an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of RNA called also RNase

ri·bo·nu·cle·ic acid [,rī-bō-nu̇-'klē-ik-, -nyu̇-, -,klā-] -n

  1. rna

ri·bo·nu·cleo·pro·tein [-,nü-klē-ō-'prō-,tēn, -'prō-tē-ən] -n

  1. a nucleoprotein that contains RNA

ri·bo·nu·cle·o·side [-'nü-klē-ə-,sīd, -'nyü-] -n

  1. a nucleoside that contains ribose

ri·bo·nu·cle·o·tide [-,tīd] -n

  1. a nucleotide that contains ribose and occurs esp. as a constituent of RNA

ri·bose ['rī-,bōs, -,bōz] -n

  1. a pentose C 5H 10O 5found esp. in the dextrorotatory form as a component of many nucleosides (as adenosine and guanosine) esp. in RNA

ribosomal RNA -n

  1. RNA that is a fundamental structural element of ribosomes called also rRNA

ri·bo·some ['rī-bə-,sōm] -n, adj

  1. any of the RNA-rich cytoplasmic granules that are sites of protein synthesis

ri·bo·zyme ['rī-bə-,zīm] -n

  1. a molecule of RNA that functions as an enzyme (as by catalyzing the cleavage of other RNA molecules)

rib roast -n

  1. a cut of meat containing the large piece that lies along the outer side of the rib

rib·wort ['rib-,wərt, -,wȯrt] -n

  1. ribgrass

rice ['rīs] -n

  1. the starchy seeds of an annual southeast Asian cereal grass ( Oryza sativa) that are cooked and used for food
  2. this cereal grass that is widely cultivated in warm climates for its seeds and by-products

RICE -abbr

  1. rest, ice, compression, elevation

rice·bird ['rīs-,bərd] -n

  1. any of several small birds common in rice fields
  2. bobolink

rice paper -n

  1. a thin papery material made from the pith of a small Asian tree or shrub ( Tetrapanax papyriferum) of the ginseng family

rice polishings -n pl

  1. the inner bran layer of rice rubbed off in milling

ric·er ['rī-sər] -n

  1. a kitchen utensil in which soft foods are pressed through a perforated container to produce strings

ri·cer·car [,rē-(,)chər-'kär] -n

  1. any of various usu. keyboard musical forms esp. of the 16th and 17th centuries in either quasi-improvisatory toccata style or strict polyphonic fugal style

rich ['rich] -adj, n

  1. having abundant possessions and esp. material wealth
  2. having high value or quality
  3. well supplied or endowed
    • a city rich in traditions
  4. magnificently impressive : sumptuous
  5. vivid and deep in color
    • a rich red
  6. full and mellow in tone and quality
    • a rich voice
  7. having a strong fragrance
    • rich perfumes
  8. highly productive or remunerative
    • a rich mine
  9. having abundant plant nutrients
    • rich soil
  10. highly seasoned, fatty, oily, or sweet
    • rich foods
  11. high in the combustible component
    • a rich fuel mixture
  12. high in some component
    • cholesterol- rich foods
  13. entertaining
  14. laughable
  15. meaningful, significant
    • rich allusions
  16. lush
    • rich meadows
  17. pure or nearly pure
    • rich lime

Rich·ard Roe [,rich-ərd-'rō] -n

  1. a party to legal proceedings whose true name is unknown

rich·en ['ri-chən] -vt

  1. to make rich or richer

rich·es ['ri-chəz] -n pl

  1. things that make one rich : wealth

rich·ly ['rich-lē] -adv

  1. in a rich manner
  2. in full measure : amply
    • praise richly deserved

Rich·ter scale ['rik-tər-] -n

  1. an open-ended logarithmic scale for expressing the magnitude of a seismic disturbance (as an earthquake) in terms of the energy dissipated in it with 1.5 indicating the smallest earthquake that can be felt, 4.5 an earthquake causing slight damage, and 8.5 a very devastating earthquake

ri·cin ['rī-sᵊn, 'ri-] -n

  1. a poisonous protein in the castor bean

ri·cin·ole·ic acid [,rī-sə-nō-'lē-ik-, ,ri-, -'lā-] -n

  1. an oily unsaturated hydroxy fatty acid C 18H 34O 3that occurs in castor oil as a glyceride and yields esters important as plasticizers

rick ['rik] -n

  1. a stack (as of hay) in the open air
  2. a pile of material (as cordwood) split from short logs
  3. to pile (as hay) in ricks
  4. wrench, sprain

rick·ets ['ri-kəts] -n pl but sing in constr

  1. a deficiency disease that affects the young during the period of skeletal growth, is characterized esp. by soft and deformed bones, and is caused by failure to assimilate and use calcium and phosphorus normally due to inadequate sunlight or vitamin D

rick·ett·sia [ri-'ket-sē-ə] -n, adj

  1. any of a family (Rickettsiaceae) of rod-shaped, coccoid, or diplococcus-shaped, often pleomorphic gram-negative bacteria that are intracellular parasites of arthropods (as lice or ticks) and when transmitted to humans cause various diseases (as typhus)

rick·ety ['ri-kə-tē] -adj

  1. affected with rickets
  2. lacking stability or firmness : shaky
    • a rickety coalition
  3. in unsound physical condition
    • rickety veterans
    • rickety stairs

rick·ey ['ri-kē] -n

  1. a drink containing liquor, lime juice, sugar, and soda water
  2. a similar drink without liquor

rick·rack ['rik-,rak] -n

  1. a flat braid woven to form zigzags and used esp. as trimming on clothing

rick·shaw ['rik-,shȯ] -n

  1. a small covered 2-wheeled vehicle usu. for one passenger that is pulled by one man and that was used orig. in Japan

RICO -abbr

  1. Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (Act)

ric·o·chet ['ri-kə-,shā, Brit also -,shet] -n

  1. a glancing rebound (as of a projectile off a flat surface)
  2. an object that ricochets

ricochet [-,shād] -vi

  1. to bounce or skip with or as if with a glancing rebound

ri·cot·ta [ri-'kä-tə, -'kȯ-] -n

  1. a white unripened whey cheese of Italy that resembles cottage cheese
  2. a similar cheese made in the U.S. from whole or skim milk

ric·tal ['rik-tᵊl] -adj

  1. of or relating to the rictus

ric·tus ['rik-təs] -n

  1. the gape of a bird's mouth
  2. the mouth orifice
  3. a gaping grin or grimace

rid ['rid] -vt

  1. save, rescue
  2. to make free : relieve, disencumber
    • rid the complexion of blemishes
    • be rid of worries
    • get rid of that junk

rid·dance ['ri-dᵊn(t)s] -n

  1. an act of ridding
  2. deliverance, relief often used in the phrase good riddance esp. to express relief that someone or something has gone

rid·den ['ri-dᵊn] -adj

  1. harassed, oppressed, or obsessed by usu. used in combination
    • guilt- ridden
    • debt- ridden
  2. excessively full of or supplied with usu. used in combination
    • slum- ridden

rid·dle ['ri-dᵊl] -n

  1. a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guessed : conundrum, enigma
  2. something or someone difficult to understand

riddle ['rid-liŋ, 'ri-dᵊl-iŋ] -vb, n

  1. to speak in or propound riddles
  2. to find the solution of : explain
  3. to set a riddle for : puzzle
  4. a coarse sieve
  5. to separate (as grain from chaff) with a riddle : screen
  6. to pierce with many holes
    • riddled the car with bullets
  7. to spread through : permeate
    • a book riddled with errors

riddling -adj

  1. containing or presenting riddles

ride ['rīd] -vb, adj

  1. to sit and travel on the back of an animal that one directs
  2. to travel in or on a conveyance
  3. to travel as if on a conveyance : be borne
    • rode on a wave of popularity
  4. to lie moored or anchored
    • a ship ride s at anchor
  5. sail
  6. to move like a floating object
    • the moon rode in the sky
  7. to become supported on a point or surface
  8. to travel over a surface
    • the car ride s well
  9. to move on the body
    • shorts that ride up
  10. to continue without interference
    • let it ride
  11. to be contingent : depend
    • plans on which the future ride s
  12. to become bet
    • a lot of money riding on the favorite
  13. to travel on
    • ride a bike
    • ride the bus
  14. to move with like a rider
    • ride the waves
  15. to traverse by conveyance
    • rode 500 miles
  16. to ride a horse in
    • ride a race
  17. survive, outlast usu. used with out
    • rode out the gale
  18. to traverse on horseback to inspect or maintain
    • ride fence
  19. to mount in copulation used of a male animal
  20. obsess, oppress
    • ridden by anxiety
  21. to harass persistently : nag
  22. tease, rib
  23. carry, convey
  24. to project over : overlap
  25. to give with (a punch) to soften the impact
  26. to keep in partial engagement by resting a foot continuously on the pedal
    • ride the brakes
  27. an act of riding
  28. a trip on horseback or by vehicle
  29. a way (as a road or path) suitable for riding
  30. any of various mechanical devices (as at an amusement park) for riding on
  31. a trip on which gangsters take a victim to murder him
  32. something likened to such a trip
    • take the taxpayers for a ride
  33. a means of transportation
  34. the qualities of travel comfort in a vehicle

rid·er ['rī-dər] -n, adj

  1. one that rides
  2. an addition to a document (as an insurance policy) often attached on a separate piece of paper
  3. a clause appended to a legislative bill to secure a usu. distinct object
  4. something used to overlie another or to move along on another piece

rid·er·ship ['rī-dər-,ship] -n

  1. the number of persons who ride a system of public transportation

ridge ['rij] -n, adj

  1. an elevated body part or structure
  2. a range of hills or mountains
  3. an elongate elevation on an ocean bottom
  4. an elongate crest or a linear series of crests
  5. a raised strip (as of plowed ground)
  6. the line of intersection at the top between the opposite slopes or sides of a roof
  7. to form into a ridge
  8. to extend in ridges

ridge·line ['rij-,līn] -n

  1. a line marking or following a ridgetop

ridge·ling ['rij-liŋ] -n

  1. a partially castrated male animal
  2. a male animal in which one or both testes have not descended into the scrotum

ridge·pole ['rij-,pōl] -n

  1. the highest horizontal timber in a roof against which the upper ends of the rafters are fixed
  2. the horizontal pole at the top of a tent

ridge·top ['rij-,täp] -n

  1. the crest of a ridge

ridgy ['ri-jē] -adj

  1. having or rising in ridges

rid·i·cule ['ri-də-,kyül] -n

  1. the act of ridiculing : derision, mockery

ridicule -vt, n

  1. to make fun of

ri·dic·u·lous [rə-'di-kyə-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. arousing or deserving ridicule : absurd, preposterous

riding -n

  1. the action or state of one that rides
  2. used for or when riding
    • a riding horse
    • riding boots
  3. operated by a rider
    • a riding mower

ri·ding ['rī-diŋ] -n

  1. one of the three administrative jurisdictions into which Yorkshire, England, was formerly divided
  2. an administrative jurisdiction or electoral district in a British dominion (as Canada)

rid·ley ['rid-lē] -n

  1. : either of two sea turtles (genus Lepidochelysof the family Cheloniidae):
  2. kemp's ridley
  3. olive ridley

ri·dot·to [ri-'dä-(,)tō] -n

  1. a public entertainment consisting of music and dancing often in masquerade popular in 18th century England

Rie·mann·ian geometry [rē-'mä-nē-ən-] -n

  1. a non-Euclidean geometry in which straight lines are geodesics and in which the parallel postulate is replaced by the postulate that every pair of straight lines intersects

Rie·mann integral ['rē-,män-, -mən-] -n

  1. a definite integral defined as the limit of sums found by partitioning the interval comprising the domain of definition into subintervals, by finding the sum of products each of which consists of the width of a subinterval multiplied by the value of the function at some point in it, and by letting the maximum width of the subintervals approach zero

Ries·ling ['rēz-liŋ, 'rēs-] -n

  1. a white wine that ranges from dry to very sweet and is made from a single variety of grape orig. grown in Germany
  2. the grape

RIF -abbr

  1. reduction in force

ri·fam·pin [rī-'fam-pən] -n

  1. a semisynthetic antibiotic C 43H 58N 4O 12used esp. in the treatment of tuberculosis and to treat asymptomatic carriers of meningococci

rife ['rīf] -adj, adv

  1. prevalent esp. to an increasing degree
    • suspicion and cruelty were rife -- W. E. B. DuBois
  2. abundant, common
  3. copiously supplied : abounding usu. used with with
    • rife with rumors

riff ['rif] -n

  1. an ostinato phrase (as in jazz) typically supporting a solo improvisation
  2. a piece based on such a phrase
  3. a rapid energetic often improvised verbal outpouring
  4. one that is part of a comic performance
  5. a succinct usu. witty comment
  6. a distinct variation : take
    • a disturbing...riff on the Cinderella story -- Daria Donnelly
  7. to perform, deliver, or make use of a riff
  8. riffle, skim
    • riff pages

rif·fle ['ri-fəl] -vb

  1. to form, flow over, or move in riffles
  2. to flip cursorily : thumb
    • riffle through the catalog
  3. to ruffle slightly : ripple
  4. to leaf through hastily
  5. to leaf (as a stack of paper) by sliding a thumb along the edge of the leaves
  6. to shuffle (playing cards) by separating the deck into two parts and riffling with the thumbs so the cards intermix
  7. to manipulate (small objects) idly between the fingers

riffle -n

  1. a shallow extending across a streambed and causing broken water
  2. a stretch of water flowing over a riffle
  3. a small wave or succession of small waves : ripple
  4. any of various contrivances (as blocks or rails) laid on the bottom of a sluice or launder to make a series of grooves or interstices to catch and retain a mineral (as gold)
  5. a groove or interstice so formed
  6. a cleat or bar fastened to an inclined surface in a gold-washing apparatus to catch and hold mineral grains
  7. the act or process of shuffling (as cards)
  8. the sound made while doing this

rif·fler ['ri-flər] -n

  1. a small filing or scraping tool

riff·raff ['rif-,raf] -n, adj

  1. disreputable persons
  2. rabble
  3. one of the riffraff
  4. refuse, rubbish

ri·fle ['rī-fəl] -vb, n

  1. to ransack esp. with the intent to steal
  2. to steal and carry away
  3. to engage in ransacking and stealing

rifle [-f(ə-)liŋ] -vt

  1. to cut spiral grooves into the bore of
    • rifled arms
    • rifled pipe
  2. a shoulder weapon with a rifled bore
  3. a rifled artillery piece
  4. soldiers armed with rifles
  5. to propel (as a ball) with great force or speed

ri·fle·bird ['rī-fəl-,bərd] -n

  1. any of several birds of paradise (genus Ptiloris)

ri·fle·man [-mən] -n

  1. a soldier armed with a rifle
  2. one skilled in shooting with a rifle

ri·fle·ry ['rī-fəl-rē] -n

  1. the practice of shooting at targets with a rifle

rifling -n

  1. the act or process of making spiral grooves
  2. a system of spiral grooves in the surface of the bore of a gun causing a projectile when fired to rotate about its longer axis

rift ['rift] -n

  1. fissure, crevasse
  2. fault
  3. a clear space or interval
  4. breach, estrangement
  5. to burst open
  6. cleave, divide
    • hills were rift ed by the earthquake
  7. penetrate

rift valley -n

  1. an elongated valley formed by the depression of a block of the earth's crust between two faults or groups of faults of approximately parallel orientation

Rift Valley fever -n

  1. an acute usu. epizootic mosquito-borne disease of domestic animals chiefly of eastern and southern Africa that is caused by a bunyavirus (species Rift valley fever virusof the genus Phlebovirus), is marked esp. by fever, abortion, and death of newborns, and is sometimes transmitted to humans usu. in a less severe form

rig ['rig] -vt

  1. to fit out (as a ship) with rigging
  2. clothe, dress usu. used with out
  3. to furnish with special gear : equip
  4. to put in condition or position for use : adjust, arrange
    • a car rigged for manual control
  5. construct
    • rig up a temporary shelter
  6. the distinctive shape, number, and arrangement of sails and masts of a ship
  7. equipage
  8. a carriage with its horse
  9. clothing, dress
  10. tackle, equipment, or machinery fitted for a specified purpose
    • an oil-drilling rig
  11. a tractor-trailer combination
  12. to manipulate or control usu. by deceptive or dishonest means
    • rig an election
  13. to fix in advance for a desired result
    • rig the contest

rig·a·doon [,ri-gə-'dün] -n

  1. a lively dance of the 17th and 18th centuries
  2. the music for a rigadoon

rigamarole ['ri-gə-mə-,rōl, 'rig-mə-] -n

(variant of rigmarole)

  1. confused or meaningless talk
  2. a complex and sometimes ritualistic procedure

rig·a·to·ni [,ri-gə-'tō-nē] -n

  1. pasta made in short wide fluted tubes

Ri·gel ['rī-jəl, -gəl; 'ri-jəl] -n

  1. a first-magnitude star in the left foot of the constellation Orion

rig·ger ['ri-gər] -n

  1. one that rigs
  2. a long slender pointed sable paintbrush

rig·ging ['ri-giŋ, -gən] -n

  1. lines and chains used aboard a ship esp. in working sail and supporting masts and spars
  2. a similar network (as in theater scenery) used for support and manipulation
  3. clothing

right ['rīt] -adj, n

  1. righteous, upright
  2. being in accordance with what is just, good, or proper
    • right conduct
  3. conforming to facts or truth : correct
    • the right answer
  4. suitable, appropriate
    • the right man for the job
  5. straight
    • a right line
  6. genuine, real
  7. of, relating to, situated on, or being the side of the body which is away from the side on which the heart is mostly located
  8. located nearer to the right hand than to the left
  9. located to the right of an observer facing the object specified or directed as the right arm would point when raised out to the side
  10. located on the right of an observer facing in the same direction as the object specified
    • stage right
  11. located on the right when facing downstream
    • the right bank of a river
  12. done with the right hand
    • a right hook to the jaw
  13. having the axis perpendicular to the base
    • right cone
  14. of, relating to, or constituting the principal or more prominent side of an object
    • made sure the socks were right side out
  15. acting or judging in accordance with truth or fact
    • time proved her right
  16. being in good physical or mental health or order
    • not in his right mind
  17. being in a correct or proper state
    • put things right
  18. most favorable or desired : preferable
  19. socially acceptable
    • knew all the right people
  20. of, adhering to, or constituted by the Right esp. in politics
  21. qualities (as adherence to duty or obedience to lawful authority) that together constitute the ideal of moral propriety or merit moral approval
  22. : something to which one has a just claim: as
  23. the power or privilege to which one is justly entitled
    • voting right s
    • his right to decide
  24. the interest that one has in a piece of property often used in pl.
    • mineral right s
  25. the property interest possessed under law or custom and agreement in an intangible thing esp. of a literary and artistic nature
    • film right s of the novel
  26. something that one may properly claim as due
    • knowing the truth is her right
  27. the cause of truth or justice
  28. right hand
  29. a blow struck with this hand
    • gave him a hard right on the jaw
  30. the location or direction of the right side
    • woods on his right
  31. the part on the right side
  32. right field
  33. a turn to the right
    • take a right at the stop sign
  34. the true account or correct interpretation
  35. the quality or state of being factually correct
  36. the part of a legislative chamber located to the right of the presiding officer
  37. the members of a continental European legislative body occupying the right as a result of holding more conservative political views than other members
  38. individuals professing support of the established order and favoring traditional attitudes and practices and conservative governmental policies
  39. a conservative position
  40. a privilege given stockholders to subscribe pro rata to a new issue of securities generally below market price
  41. the negotiable certificate evidencing such privilege usu. used in pl.
  42. according to right
    • live right
  43. in the exact location, position, or moment : precisely
    • right at his fingertips
    • quit right then and there
  44. in a suitable, proper, or desired manner
    • knew he wasn't doing it right
  45. in a direct line, course, or manner : directly, straight
    • go right home
    • came right out and said it
  46. according to fact or truth : truly
    • guessed right
  47. all the way
    • windows right to the floor
  48. in a complete manner
    • felt right at home
  49. without delay : immediately
    • right after lunch
  50. to a great degree : very
    • a right pleasant day
  51. on or to the right
    • looked left and right
  52. to do justice to : redress the injuries of
    • so just is God to right the innocent -- Shak.
  53. justify, vindicate
    • felt the need to right himself in court
  54. avenge
    • vows to right the injustice done to his family
  55. to adjust or restore to the proper state or condition
    • right the economy
  56. to bring or restore to an upright position
    • right a capsized boat
  57. to become upright

right and left -adv

  1. on both or all sides : in every direction : everywhere

right angle ['rīt-'aŋ-gəld] -n, adj

  1. the angle bounded by two lines perpendicular to each other : an angle of 90 or radians

right ascension -n

  1. the arc of the celestial equator between the vernal equinox and the point where the hour circle through a given body intersects the equator reckoned eastward commonly in terms of the corresponding interval of sidereal time in hours, minutes, and seconds

right away -adv

  1. without delay or hesitation : immediately

right brain ['rīt-'brānd] -n, adj

  1. the right cerebral hemisphere of the human brain esp. when viewed in terms of its predominant thought processes (as creativity and intuitive thinking)

right circular cone -n

  1. cone

right circular cylinder -n

  1. a cylinder with the bases circular and with the axis joining the two centers of the bases perpendicular to the planes of the two bases

righ·teous ['rī-chəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin
  2. morally right or justifiable
    • a righteous decision
  3. arising from an outraged sense of justice or morality
    • righteous indignation
  4. genuine, excellent

right field -n

  1. the part of the baseball outfield to the right looking out from home plate
  2. the position of the player defending right field

right·ful ['rīt-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. just, equitable
  2. having a just or legally established claim : legitimate
    • the rightful owner
  3. held by right or just claim : legal
    • rightful authority
  4. proper, fitting
    • assured of his rightful place in history -- Brian Duff

righthand ['rīt-,hand] -adj

  1. situated on the right
  2. right-handed
  3. chiefly relied on
    • his righthand man

right hand -n

  1. the hand on a person's right side
  2. an indispensable person
  3. the right side
  4. a place of honor

righthand·ed [-'han-dəd] -adj, adv, n

  1. using the right hand habitually or more easily than the left
  2. swinging from right to left
    • a righthanded batter
  3. relating to, designed for, or done with the right hand
  4. having the same direction or course as the movement of the hands of a watch viewed from in front : clockwise
  5. having a spiral structure or form that ascends or advances to the right
    • a righthanded screw
  6. opening to the right away from one

righthand·er [-'han-dər] -n

  1. a blow struck with the right hand
  2. a right-handed person
  3. a right-handed pitcher

right·ism ['rīt-,i-zəm] -n, n or adj

  1. the principles and views of the Right
  2. advocacy of or adherence to the doctrines of the Right

right·ly ['rīt-lē] -adv

  1. in accordance with right conduct : fairly, justly
  2. in the right or proper manner : properly, fittingly
  3. according to truth or fact : correctly, exactly

rightmind·ed [-'mīn-dəd] -adj, n

  1. having a right or honest mind
    • a rightminded citizen

right now -adv

  1. right away
  2. at present

righto [,rīt-'ō, 'rī-(,)tō] -interj

  1. used to express cheerful concurrence, assent, or understanding

right off -adv

  1. right away

rightofway [,rīt-ə(v)-'wā] -n

  1. a legal right of passage over another person's ground
  2. the area over which a right-of-way exists
  3. the strip of land over which is built a public road
  4. the land occupied by a railroad esp. for its main line
  5. the land used by a public utility (as for a transmission line)
  6. a precedence in passing accorded to one vehicle over another by custom, decision, or statute
  7. the right of traffic to take precedence
  8. the right to take precedence over others
    • gave the bill the rightofway in the Senate

right on -adj

  1. exactly correct often used interjectionally to express agreement
  2. attuned to the spirit of the times

Right Reverend

  1. used as a title for high ecclesiastical officials

right shoulder arms -n

  1. a position in the manual of arms in which the butt of the rifle is held in the right hand with the barrel resting on the right shoulder
  2. a command to assume this position

right·size ['rīt-,sīz] -vt

  1. to reduce (as a workforce) to an optimal size
  2. to undergo a reduction to an optimal size

righttolife ['rīt-tə-'līf] -adj, n

  1. opposed to abortion

righttowork -adj

  1. opposing or banning the closed shop and the union shop

right triangle -n

  1. a triangle having a right angle

right·ward ['rīt-wərd] -adj or adv

  1. being at, toward, or to the right

right whale -n

  1. any of a family (Balaenidae) of large baleen whales having very long baleen, a large head on a stocky body, a smooth throat, and short broad rounded flippers

right wing ['rīt-'wiŋ, -,wiŋ] -n, adj

  1. the rightist division of a group or party
  2. right

righty ['rī-tē] -n

  1. right-hander

rig·id ['ri-jəd] -adj, adv, n

  1. deficient in or devoid of flexibility
    • rigid price controls
    • a rigid bar of metal
  2. appearing stiff and unyielding
    • his face rigid with pain
  3. inflexibly set in opinion
  4. strictly observed
    • adheres to a rigid schedule
  5. firmly inflexible rather than lax or indulgent
    • a rigid disciplinarian
  6. precise and accurate in procedure
    • rigid control of the manufacturing process
  7. having the outer shape maintained by a fixed framework

ri·gid·i·fy [rə-'ji-də-,fī] -vb, n

  1. to make rigid
  2. to become rigid

ri·gid·i·ty [rə-'ji-də-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being rigid
  2. one that is rigid (as in form or conduct)

rig·ma·role ['ri-gə-mə-,rōl, 'rig-mə-] -n

  1. confused or meaningless talk
  2. a complex and sometimes ritualistic procedure

rig·or ['ri-gər] -n

  1. harsh inflexibility in opinion, temper, or judgment : severity
  2. the quality of being unyielding or inflexible : strictness
  3. severity of life : austerity
  4. an act or instance of strictness, severity, or cruelty
  5. a tremor caused by a chill
  6. a condition that makes life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable
  7. extremity of cold
  8. strict precision : exactness
    • logical rigor
  9. rigidity, stiffness
  10. rigidness or torpor of organs or tissue that prevents response to stimuli
  11. rigor mortis

rig·or·ism ['ri-gə-,ri-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj

  1. rigidity in principle or practice

rig·or mor·tis [,ri-gər-'mȯr-təs also chiefly Brit ,rī-,gȯr-] -n

  1. temporary rigidity of muscles occurring after death

rig·or·ous ['ri-g(ə-)rəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. manifesting, exercising, or favoring rigor : very strict
  2. marked by extremes of temperature or climate
  3. harsh, severe
  4. scrupulously accurate : precise

rig·our ['ri-gər] -n

(variant of rigor)

  1. harsh inflexibility in opinion, temper, or judgment : severity
  2. the quality of being unyielding or inflexible : strictness
  3. severity of life : austerity
  4. an act or instance of strictness, severity, or cruelty
  5. a tremor caused by a chill
  6. a condition that makes life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable
  7. extremity of cold
  8. strict precision : exactness
    • logical rigor
  9. rigidity, stiffness
  10. rigidness or torpor of organs or tissue that prevents response to stimuli
  11. rigor mortis

rijst·ta·fel ['rīs-,tä-fəl] -n

  1. an Indonesian meal consisting of rice and a variety of accompanying dishes (as meat, seafood, and vegetables)

Riks·ml ['riks-,mȯl, 'rēks-] -n

  1. bokml

rile ['rī(-ə)l] -vt

  1. to make agitated and angry : upset
  2. roil

ril·ey ['rī-lē] -adj

  1. turbid
  2. angry

rill ['ril] -n

  1. a very small brook
  2. to flow like a rill
  3. any of several long narrow valleys on the moon's surface

rill·et ['ri-lət] -n

  1. a little rill

ril·lettes [ri-'lets, -'yet] -n pl

  1. cooked shredded meat (as pork or duck) or fish preserved in fat

rim ['rim] -n, adj

  1. brink
  2. the outer often curved or circular edge or border of something
  3. the outer part of a wheel joined to the hub usu. by spokes
  4. a removable outer metal band on an automobile wheel to which the tire is attached
  5. frame
  6. to run around the rim of
    • putts that rim the cup
  7. to serve as a rim for : border
    • cliffs rimming the camp
  8. to form or show a rim

rime ['rīm] -n

  1. frost
  2. an accumulation of granular ice tufts on the windward sides of exposed objects that is formed from supercooled fog or cloud and built out directly against the wind
  3. crust, incrustation
  4. to cover with or as if with rime

rime ['rīm] -n, adj

(variant of rhyme)

  1. rhyming verse
  2. poetry
  3. a composition in verse that rhymes
  4. correspondence in terminal sounds of units of composition or utterance (as two or more words or lines of verse)
  5. one of two or more words thus corresponding in sound
  6. : correspondence of other than terminal word sounds: as
  7. alliteration
  8. internal rhyme
  9. rhythm, measure
  10. to relate or praise in rhyming verse
  11. to put into rhyme
  12. to compose (verse) in rhyme
  13. to cause to rhyme : use as rhyme
  14. to make rhymes
  15. to compose rhyming verse
  16. to end in syllables that are rhymes
  17. to be in accord : harmonize

rim·fire ['rim-,fī(-ə)r] -adj, n

  1. having the priming distributed in the rim of the shell

rim·land ['rim-,land] -n

  1. a region on the edge of the heartland

rimmed ['rimd] -adj

  1. having a rim usu. used in combination
    • dark- rimmed glasses
    • red- rimmed eyes

rim·rock ['rim-,räk] -n

  1. a top stratum or overlying strata of resistant rock of a plateau that outcrops to form a vertical face
  2. the edge or face of a rimrock outcrop

rimy ['rī-mē] -adj

  1. covered with rime : frosty

rind ['rīnd, dial 'rīn] -n, adj

  1. the bark of a tree
  2. a usu. hard or tough outer layer : peel, crust

rin·der·pest ['rin-dər-,pest] -n

  1. an acute infectious disease of ruminant mammals (as cattle) that is caused by a morbillivirus (species Rinderpest virus) and that is marked by fever, diarrhea, and inflammation of mucous membranes and by high mortality in epidemics

ring ['riŋ] -n, adj

  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

ringale·vio [,riŋ-ə-'lē-vē-,ō] -n

  1. a game in which players on one team are given time to hide and are then sought out by members of the other team who try to capture them, keep them in a place of confinement, and keep them from being released by their teammates

ringaroundtherosy [,riŋ-ə-,rau̇n(d)-thə-'rō-zē] -n

  1. a children's singing game in which players dance around in a circle and at a given signal drop to the ground called also ring-a-rosy ri--ro-ze

ring·bark ['riŋ-,bärk] -vt

  1. girdle

ringbilled gull ['riŋ-,bild-] -n

  1. a No. American gull ( Larus delawarensis) that as an adult is largely white with a gray mantle, dark wing tips, yellowish feet and legs, and a yellow bill with a black ring towards the tip

ring binder -n

  1. a loose-leaf binder in which split rings attached to a back hold the perforated sheets of paper

ring·bolt ['riŋ-,bōlt] -n

  1. an eyebolt with a ring through its eye

ring·bone [-,bōn] -n

  1. a bony outgrowth on or near the articulating surface of the pastern or coffin bone of a horse that typically results from injury and usu. produces lameness

ring dance -n

  1. round dance

ring·dove ['riŋ-,dəv] -n

  1. wood pigeon
  2. ringed turtle dove

ringed -adj

  1. encircled or marked with or as if with rings
  2. composed or formed of rings

ringed turtle dove -n

  1. a small pale dove ( Streptopelia risoria) that has a black ring around the sides and back of the neck, exists chiefly in domestication as a cage bird, and is prob. of African origin

ring·er ['riŋ-ər] -n

  1. one that sounds esp. by ringing
  2. one that enters a competition under false representations
  3. imposter, fake
  4. one that strongly resembles another often used with dead
    • he's a dead ringer for the senator

ringer -n

  1. one that encircles or puts a ring around (as a quoit or horseshoe that lodges so as to surround the peg)

Ring·er's solution ['riŋ-ərz-] -n

  1. an aqueous solution of calcium chloride, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride that provides a medium essentially isotonic to many animal tissues and is used topically to irrigate tissues or intravenously to replenish fluids and electrolytes called also Ringer solution

ring·ette [riŋ-'et] -n

  1. a game of Canadian origin for women and girls that is played on ice with two teams of six players on skates whose object is to drive a rubber or plastic ring into the opponents' goal with a straight stick

ring finger -n

  1. the third finger esp. of the left hand counting the index finger as the first

ringing [-iŋ-lē] -adj, adv

  1. clear and full in tone : resounding
    • a ringing baritone
  2. vigorously unequivocal : decisive
    • a ringing condemnation of immorality

ring·lead·er ['riŋ-,lē-dər] -n

  1. a leader of a ring of individuals engaged esp. in improper or unlawful activities

ring·let ['riŋ-lət] -n

  1. a small ring or circle
  2. curl
  3. a long curl of hair

ring·mas·ter ['riŋ-,mas-tər] -n

  1. one in charge of performances in a ring (as of a circus)
  2. a supervisor or moderator esp. of a performance or presentation
    • the ringmaster of a talk show

ring·neck [-,nek] -n

  1. a ring-necked animal

ringnecked ['riŋ-,nekt] -adj

  1. having a ring of color about the neck

ringnecked duck -n

  1. a No. American duck ( Aythya collaris) that has a white ring around the bill and in the male a faint narrow chestnut ring encircling the neck

ringnecked pheasant -n

  1. a Eurasian pheasant ( Phasianus colchicus) that has been widely introduced as a game bird in No. America and in which the males have a white neck ring and an iridescent green and purplish head with red wattles around the eyes

ring off -vi

  1. hang up

ring ouzel -n

  1. a dark Old World thrush ( Turdus torquatus) with the male having a white breast band

ringpo·rous ['riŋ-,pȯr-əs] -adj

  1. having vessels more numerous and usu. larger in cross section in the springwood with a resulting more or less distinct line between the springwood and the last season's wood

ring road -n

  1. a highway skirting an urban area

ring·side ['riŋ-,sīd] -n

  1. the area just outside a ring esp. in which a contest occurs
  2. a place that affords a close view

ringside -adj

  1. being at the ringside
    • a ringside seat

ring spot -n

  1. any of various plant diseases caused by viruses (genus Nepovirusof the family Comoviridae) and marked by circular lesions of usu. chlorotic or necrotic tissue
  2. a turf disease caused by an ascomycetous fungus ( Leptosphaeria korraesyn. Ophiosphaerella korrae) and marked by circular patches or rings of dead grass

ring stand -n

  1. a metal stand consisting of a long upright rod attached to a heavy rectangular base that is used with rings and clamps for supporting laboratory apparatus

ring·straked ['riŋ-,strākt] -adj

  1. marked with circular stripes

ring·tail [-,tāl] -n

  1. raccoon
  2. a carnivore ( Bassariscus astutus) of the western U.S. and Mexico that is related to and resembles the raccoon called also cacomistle civet cat ringtail cat ringtailed cat
  3. capuchin

ringtailed [-,tāld] -adj

  1. having a tail marked with rings of differing colors
  2. having a tail carried in a form approximating a circle
    • a ringtailed Afghan hound

ring·taw [-,tȯ] -n

  1. a game of marbles in which marbles are placed in a circle on the ground and shot at from the edge of the circle with the object being to knock them out of the circle

ring·tone [-,tōn] -n

  1. the sound made by a cell phone to signal an incoming call

ring·toss [-,tȯs, -,täs] -n

  1. a game in which the object is to toss a ring so that it will fall over an upright stick

ring up -vt

  1. to total and record esp. by means of a cash register
    • ring up a sale
  2. achieve
    • rang up many social triumphs

ring·worm ['riŋ-,wərm] -n

  1. any of several contagious fungal diseases of the skin, hair, or nails of humans and domestic animals that are characterized by ring-shaped discolored skin patches covered with vesicles and scales

rink ['riŋk] -n

  1. a smooth extent of ice marked off for curling or ice hockey
  2. a surface of ice for ice-skating
  3. a building containing such a rink
  4. an enclosure for roller-skating
  5. an alley for lawn bowling
  6. a team in bowls or curling

rinkydink ['riŋ-kē-,diŋk] -adj

  1. small-time
  2. old-fashioned

rinse ['rin(t)s, esp dial 'rench] -vt, n

  1. to cleanse by flushing with liquid (as water) often used with out
    • rinse out the mouth
  2. to cleanse (as of soap) by clear water
  3. to treat (hair) with a rinse
  4. to remove (dirt or impurities) by washing lightly or in water only
  5. the act or process of rinsing
  6. liquid used for rinsing
  7. a solution that temporarily tints hair

rinsing -n

  1. dregs, residue usu. used in pl.
  2. water that has been used for rinsing usu. used in pl.

RIO -abbr

  1. radar intercept officer

rio·ja [rē-'ō-(,)hä] -n

  1. a wine from the Rioja region of Spain
  2. a dry red wine from this region

ri·ot ['rī-ət] -n

  1. profligate behavior : debauchery
  2. unrestrained revelry
  3. noise, uproar, or disturbance made by revelers
  4. public violence, tumult, or disorder
  5. a violent public disorder
  6. a tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons assembled together and acting with a common intent
  7. a random or disorderly profusion
    • the woods were a riot of color
  8. one that is wildly amusing
    • the new comedy is a riot

riot -vi, n

  1. to indulge in revelry or wantonness
  2. to create or engage in a riot

riot act -n

  1. a vigorous reprimand or warning used in the phrase read the riot act

riot gun -n

  1. a small arm used to disperse rioters rather than to inflict serious injury or death
  2. a short-barreled shotgun

ri·ot·ous ['rī-ə-təs] -adj, adv, n

  1. of the nature of a riot : turbulent
  2. participating in riot
  3. abundant, exuberant
    • the garden was riotous with flowers

rip ['rip] -vb

  1. to tear or split apart or open
  2. to saw or split (wood) with the grain
  3. to slash or slit with or as if with a sharp blade
  4. to hit sharply
    • ripped a double to left field
  5. to utter violently : spit out
    • ripped out an oath
  6. criticize, disparage
  7. to become ripped : rend
  8. to rush headlong
    • ripped past second base
  9. a rent made by ripping : tear
  10. cut
  11. a body of water made rough by the meeting of opposing tides, currents, or winds
  12. a current of water roughened by passing over an irregular bottom
  13. rip current
  14. a dissolute person : libertine

RIP -abbr

  1. may he rest in peace, may she rest in peace;
  2. may they rest in peace

ri·par·i·an [rə-'per-ē-ən, rī-] -adj

  1. relating to or living or located on the bank of a natural watercourse (as a river) or sometimes of a lake or a tidewater
    • riparian trees

riparian right -n

  1. a right (as access to or use of the shore, bed, and water) of one owning riparian land

rip cord -n

  1. a cord by which the gasbag of a balloon may be ripped open for a limited distance to release the gas quickly and so cause immediate descent
  2. a cord or wire pulled in making a descent to release a parachute out of its container

rip current -n

  1. a strong usu. narrow surface current flowing outward from a shore that results from the return flow of waves and wind-driven water

ripe ['rīp] -adj, adv, n

  1. fully grown and developed : mature
    • ripe fruit
    • ripe wheat
  2. having mature knowledge, understanding, or judgment
  3. of advanced years : late
    • a ripe old age
  4. suitable, appropriate
    • the time was ripe for the attempt
  5. fully prepared : ready
    • the colonies were ripe for revolution
  6. brought by aging to full flavor or the best state : mellow
    • ripe cheese
  7. smelly, stinking
  8. ruddy, plump, or full like ripened fruit
    • a ripe figure
  9. indecent
    • ripe language

rip·en ['rī-pən, 'rī-pᵊm] -vb, n

  1. to grow or become ripe
  2. to make ripe
  3. to bring to completeness or perfection
  4. to age or cure (cheese) to develop characteristic flavor, odor, body, texture, and color
  5. to improve flavor and tenderness of (beef or game) by aging under refrigeration

ri·pie·no [ri-'pyā-(,)nō, -'pye-] -n

  1. tutti

ripoff ['rip-,ȯf] -n

  1. an act or instance of stealing : theft
  2. a financial exploitation
  3. a usu. cheap exploitive imitation

rip off -vt

  1. rob
  2. cheat, defraud
  3. steal
  4. to copy or imitate blatantly or unscrupulously
  5. to perform, achieve, or score quickly or easily
    • ripped off 10 straight points

ri·poste [ri-'pōst] -n, vb

  1. a fencer's quick return thrust following a parry
  2. a retaliatory verbal sally : retort
  3. a retaliatory maneuver or measure

ripped -adj

  1. being under the influence of alcohol or drugs : high, stoned
  2. having high muscle definition
    • ripped abs

rip·per ['ri-pər] -n

  1. one that rips
  2. a machine used to break up solid material (as rock or ore)
  3. an excellent example or instance of its kind

ripping -adj

  1. excellent, delightful
    • I've had a ripping time here -- W. S. Maugham

rip·ple ['ri-pəl] -vb, n

  1. to become lightly ruffled or covered with small waves
  2. to flow in small waves
  3. to fall in soft undulating folds
    • the scarf rippled to the floor
  4. to flow with a light rise and fall of sound or inflection
    • laughter rippled over the audience
  5. to move with an undulating motion or so as to cause ripples
    • the canoe rippled through the water
  6. to have or produce a ripple effect : spread
    • the news rippled outwards
  7. to stir up small waves on
  8. to impart a wavy motion or appearance to
    • rippling his arm muscles
  9. to utter or play with a slight rise and fall of sound

ripple ['ri-p(ə-)lē] -n, adj

  1. a shallow stretch of rough water in a stream
  2. the ruffling of the surface of water
  3. a small wave
  4. ripple mark
  5. a sound like that of rippling water
    • a ripple of laughter
  6. a usu. slight noticeable effect or reaction

ripple effect -n

  1. a spreading, pervasive, and usu. unintentional effect or influence
    • the automotive industry has a ripple effect on many other industries

ripple mark ['ri-pəl-,märkt] -n, adj

  1. one of a series of small ridges produced esp. on sand by the action of wind, a current of water, or waves
  2. a striation across the grain of wood esp. on the tangential surface

rip·rap ['rip-,rap] -n

  1. a foundation or sustaining wall of stones or chunks of concrete thrown together without order (as in deep water)
  2. a layer of this or similar material on an embankment slope to prevent erosion
  3. material used for riprap

riprap -vt

  1. to form a riprap in or upon
  2. to strengthen or support with a riprap

riproar·ing ['rip-'rȯr-iŋ] -adj

  1. noisily excited or exciting

rip·saw ['rip-,sȯ] -n

  1. a coarse-toothed saw used to cut wood in the direction of the grain

rip·snort·er ['rip-'snȯr-tər] -n, adj

  1. something extraordinary : humdinger
    • the finale was a ripsnorter

rip·stop ['rip-,stäp] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or being a fabric woven with a double thread at regular intervals so that small tears do not spread
    • ripstop nylon

rip·tide ['rip-,tīd] -n

  1. rip current

Rip·u·ar·i·an [,ri-pyə-'wer-ē-ən] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a group of Franks settling in the fourth century on the Rhine near Cologne

Rip van Win·kle [,rip-(,)van-'wiŋ-kəl, -vən-] -n

  1. a ne'er-do-well in a story in Washington Irving's Sketch Bookwho sleeps for 20 years

RISC -abbr

  1. reduced instruction-set computer; reduced instruction-set computing

rise ['rīz] -vi

  1. to assume an upright position esp. from lying, kneeling, or sitting
  2. to get up from sleep or from one's bed
  3. to return from death
  4. to take up arms
    • rise in rebellion
  5. to respond warmly : applaud usu. used with to
    • the audience rose to her verve and wit
  6. to end a session : adjourn
  7. to appear above the horizon
    • the sun rise s at six
  8. to move upward : ascend
  9. to increase in height, size, volume, or pitch
  10. to extend above other objects
    • mountain peaks rose to the west
  11. to become heartened or elated
    • his spirits rose
  12. to increase in fervor or intensity
    • my anger rose as I thought about the insult
  13. to attain a higher level or rank
    • officers who rose from the ranks
  14. to increase in quantity or number
  15. to take place : happen
  16. to come into being : originate
  17. to follow as a consequence : result
  18. to exert oneself to meet a challenge
    • rise to the occasion
  19. a spot higher than surrounding ground : hilltop
  20. an upward slope
    • a rise in the road
  21. : an act of rising or a state of being risen: as
  22. a movement upward : ascent
  23. emergence (as of the sun) above the horizon
  24. the upward movement of a fish to seize food or bait
  25. beginning, origin
    • the river had its rise in the mountain
  26. the distance or elevation of one point above another
  27. an increase esp. in amount, number, or volume
  28. raise
  29. an increase in price, value, rate, or sum
    • a rise in the cost of living
  30. an angry reaction
    • got a rise out of him
  31. the distance from the crotch to the waistline on pants

ris·er ['rī-zər] -n

  1. one that rises (as from sleep)
  2. the upright member between two stair treads
  3. a stage platform on which performers are placed for greater visibility
  4. a vertical pipe (as for water or gas) or a vertical portion of an electric wiring system
  5. one of the straps that connects a parachutist's harness with the shroud lines

ris·i·bil·i·ty [,ri-zə-'bi-lə-tē] -n

  1. laughter
  2. the ability or inclination to laugh often used in pl.
    • our risibilities support us as we skim over the surface of a deep issue -- J. A. Pike

ris·i·ble ['ri-zə-bəl] -adj, adv

  1. capable of laughing
  2. disposed to laugh
  3. arousing or provoking laughter
  4. laughable
  5. associated with, relating to, or used in laughter
    • risible muscles

ris·i·bles [-bəlz] -n pl

  1. sense of the ridiculous : sense of humor

rising -n

  1. insurrection, uprising
  2. approaching a stated age : nearly
    • a red cow rising four years old -- Lancaster (Pa.) Jour.

rising diphthong -n

  1. a diphthong in which the second element is more sonorous than the first (as wi in kwit quit)

rising rhythm -n

  1. rhythm with stress occurring regularly on the last syllable of each foot

rising star -n

  1. a person or thing that is growing quickly in popularity or importance in a particular field
    • a rising star in politics

risk ['risk] -n, adj

  1. possibility of loss or injury : peril
  2. someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard
  3. the chance of loss or the perils to the subject matter of an insurance contract
  4. the degree of probability of such loss
  5. a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer
  6. an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source
    • war risk
  7. the chance that an investment (as a stock or commodity) will lose value
  8. to expose to hazard or danger
    • risk ed her life
  9. to incur the risk or danger of
    • risk ed breaking his neck

risk capital -n

  1. venture capital

risk factor -n

  1. something that increases risk or susceptibility

risky ['ris-kē] -adj, n

  1. attended with risk or danger : hazardous

ri·sor·gi·men·to [(,)rē-,zȯr-ji-'men-(,)tō, -,sȯr-] -n

  1. the 19th century movement for Italian political unity
  2. a time of renewal or renaissance : revival

ri·sot·to [ri-'sȯ-(,)tō, -'zȯ-] -n

  1. rice cooked usu. in meat or seafood stock and seasoned (as with Parmesan cheese or saffron)

ris·per·i·done [ri-'sper-ə-,dōn] -n

  1. an antipsychotic drug C 28H 27FN 4O 2used esp. to treat schizophrenia

ris·que [ri-'skā] -adj

  1. verging on impropriety or indecency : off-color
    • a risque joke

rit -abbr

  1. ritardando

Rit·a·lin ['ri-tə-lən] -trademark

  1. used for a preparation of methylphenidate

ri·tard [ri-'tärd] -n

  1. ritardando

ri·tar·dan·do [ri-,tär-'dän-(,)dō, ,rē-] -adv or adj

  1. with a gradual slackening in tempo used as a direction in music

ritardando -n

  1. a ritardando passage

rite ['rīt] -n

  1. a prescribed form or manner governing the words or actions for a ceremony
  2. the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches
  3. a ceremonial act or action
    • initiation rite s
  4. a division of the Christian church using a distinctive liturgy

rite of passage

  1. a ritual associated with a crisis or a change of status (as marriage, illness, or death) for an individual

ri·to·na·vir [,rī-'tō-nə-,vir, -'tä-, ri-] -n

  1. an antiviral protease inhibitor C 37H 48N 6O 5S 2administered orally to treat HIV infection and AIDS

ri·tor·nel·lo [,ri-tər-'ne-(,)lō, ,ri-,tȯr-] -n

  1. a short recurrent instrumental passage in a vocal composition
  2. an instrumental interlude in early opera
  3. a tutti passage in a concerto or rondo refrain

rit·u·al ['ri-chə-wəl, -chəl; 'rich-wəl] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to rites or a ritual : ceremonial
    • a ritual dance
  2. according to religious law
    • ritual purity
  3. done in accordance with social custom or normal protocol
    • ritual handshakes
    • ritual background checks

ritual -n

  1. the established form for a ceremony
  2. the order of words prescribed for a religious ceremony
  3. ritual observance
  4. a system of rites
  5. a ceremonial act or action
  6. an act or series of acts regularly repeated in a set precise manner

rit·u·al·ism ['ri-chə-wə-,li-zəm, -chə-,li-; 'rich-wə-] -n, adj, adv

  1. the use of ritual
  2. excessive devotion to ritual

rit·u·al·ize [-,līz] -vb, n

  1. to practice ritualism
  2. to make a ritual of
  3. to impose a ritual on

ritzy ['rit-sē] -adj, n

  1. snobbish
  2. impressively or ostentatiously fancy or stylish : fashionable, posh
    • a ritzy nightclub

riv -abbr

  1. river

ri·val ['rī-vəl] -n

  1. one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess
  2. one striving for competitive advantage
  3. companion, associate
  4. equal, peer

rival -adj

  1. having the same pretensions or claims : competing
  2. to act as a rival : compete
  3. to be in competition with
  4. to strive to equal or excel : emulate
  5. to possess qualities or aptitudes that approach or equal (those of another)

ri·val·rous ['rī-vəl-rəs] -adj

  1. given to rivalry : competitive

ri·val·ry ['rī-vəl-rē] -n

  1. the act of rivaling : the state of being a rival : competition

rive ['rīv] -vb

  1. to wrench open or tear apart or to pieces : rend
  2. to split with force or violence
  3. to divide into pieces
    • nations riven by civil war
  4. fracture
  5. to become split : crack

riv·er ['ri-vər] -n

  1. a natural stream of water of usu. considerable volume
  2. watercourse
  3. something resembling a river
    • a river of lava
  4. large or overwhelming quantities
    • drank river s of coffee

riv·er·bank ['ri-vər-,baŋk] -n

  1. the bank of a river

riv·er·bed [-,bed] -n

  1. the channel occupied by a river

river blindness -n

  1. onchocerciasis

riv·er·boat [-,bōt] -n

  1. a boat for use on a river

river duck -n

  1. dabbler

riv·er·front [-,frənt] -n

  1. the land or area along a river

river horse -n

  1. hippopotamus

riv·er·ine ['ri-və-,rīn, -,rēn] -adj

  1. relating to, formed by, or resembling a river
  2. living or situated on the banks of a river

river otter -n

  1. any of various Old and New World otters (esp. genera Lutraand Lontra)
  2. one ( Lontra canadensis) of Alaska, Canada, and the conterminous U.S. found in aquatic environments from marine coastal regions to high mountains

riv·er·side ['ri-vər-,sīd] -n

  1. the side or bank of a river

riv·er·ward [-wərd] -adv or adj

  1. toward a river

riv·et ['ri-vət] -n

  1. a headed pin or bolt of metal used for uniting two or more pieces by passing the shank through a hole in each piece and then beating or pressing down the plain end so as to make a second head

rivet -vt, n

  1. to fasten with or as if with rivets
  2. to upset the end or point of (as a metallic pin, rod, or bolt) by beating or pressing so as to form a head
  3. to fasten or fix firmly
    • stood rivet ed by fright
  4. to attract and hold (as the attention) completely

riv·et·ing ['ri-və-tiŋ] -adj, adv

  1. having the power to fix the attention : engrossing, fascinating
    • a riveting story

ri·vi·era [,ri-vē-'er-ə, ri-'vyer-] -n

  1. a coastal region frequented as a resort area and usu. marked by a mild climate

ri·vi·ere [,ri-vē-'er, ri-'vyer] -n

  1. a necklace of precious stones (as diamonds)

riv·u·let ['ri-vyə-lət, -və-] -n

  1. a small stream