RI -abbr
- refractive index
- Rhode Island
RIA -abbr
- radioimmunoassay
ri·al·to [rē-'al-(,)tō] -n
- exchange, marketplace
- a theater district
ri·ant ['rī-ənt, 'rē-; rē-'äⁿ] -adj, adv
- gay, mirthful
ri·a·ta [rē-'a-tə, -'ä-] -n
- lariat
rib ['rib] -n
- any of the paired curved bony or partly cartilaginous rods that stiffen the walls of the body of most vertebrates and protect the viscera
- a cut of meat including a rib
- a boneless cut of meat (as beef or pork) from a rib section
- wife
- : something resembling a rib in shape or function: as
- a traverse member of the frame of a ship that runs from keel to deck
- a light fore-and-aft member in an airplane's wing
- one of the stiff strips supporting an umbrella's fabric
- one of the arches in Romanesque and Gothic vaulting meeting and crossing one another and dividing the whole vaulted space into triangles
- : an elongated ridge: as
- a vein of an insect's wing
- one of the primary veins of a leaf
- one of the ridges in a knitted or woven fabric
- to furnish or enclose with ribs
- to knit so as to form vertical ridges in
- joke
- parody
- to poke fun at : kid
rib·ald ['ri-bəld also 'ri-,bȯld, 'rī-,bȯld] -n
- a ribald person
ribald -adj
- crude, offensive
- characterized by or using coarse indecent humor
rib·ald·ry ['ri-bəl-drē also 'rī-] -n
- a ribald quality or element
- ribald language or humor
- an instance of ribald language or humor
rib·and ['ri-bənd] -n
- a ribbon used esp. as a decoration
ri·ba·vi·rin [,rī-bə-'vī-rən] -n
- a synthetic broad-spectrum antiviral nucleoside C 8H 12N 4O 5
rib·band ['ri(b)-,band, 'ri-bən(d)] -n
- a long narrow strip or bar used in shipbuilding
- one bent and bolted longitudinally to the frames to hold them in position during construction
ribbing -n
- an arrangement of ribs
rib·bon ['ri-bən] -n, adj
- a flat or tubular narrow closely woven fabric (as of silk or rayon) used for trimmings or knitting
- a narrow fabric used for tying packages
- a piece of usu. multicolored ribbon worn as a military decoration or in place of a medal
- a strip of colored satin given for winning a place in a competition
- a strip of inked fabric (as in a typewriter)
- reins for controlling an animal
- tatter, shred usu. used in pl.
- ribband
ribbon -vt
- to adorn with ribbons
- to divide into ribbons
- to cover with or as if with ribbons
- to rip to shreds
ribbon development -n
- a system of buildings built side by side along a road
rib·bon·fish ['ri-bən-,fish] -n
- 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
- nemertean
rib·by ['ri-bē] -adj
- showing or marked by ribs
rib cage -n
- the bony enclosing wall of the chest consisting chiefly of the ribs and the structures connecting them
ri·bes ['rī-(,)bēz] -n
- 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
- the large piece of meat that lies along the outer side of the rib (as of a steer)
- a serving of this
rib·grass ['rib-,gras] -n
- plantain
- an Old World plantain ( Plantago lanceolata) with long narrow ribbed leaves
rib·let ['ri-blət] -n
- one of the rib ends in the strip of breast of lamb or veal
ribo- -comb form
- ribose
- ribonucleic acid
ri·bo·fla·vin [,rī-bə-'flā-vən, 'rī-bə-,] -n
- 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
- 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
- rna
ri·bo·nu·cleo·pro·tein [-,nü-klē-ō-'prō-,tēn, -'prō-tē-ən] -n
- a nucleoprotein that contains RNA
ri·bo·nu·cle·o·side [-'nü-klē-ə-,sīd, -'nyü-] -n
- a nucleoside that contains ribose
ri·bo·nu·cle·o·tide [-,tīd] -n
- a nucleotide that contains ribose and occurs esp. as a constituent of RNA
ri·bose ['rī-,bōs, -,bōz] -n
- 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
- RNA that is a fundamental structural element of ribosomes called also rRNA
ri·bo·some ['rī-bə-,sōm] -n, adj
- any of the RNA-rich cytoplasmic granules that are sites of protein synthesis
ri·bo·zyme ['rī-bə-,zīm] -n
- a molecule of RNA that functions as an enzyme (as by catalyzing the cleavage of other RNA molecules)
rib roast -n
- a cut of meat containing the large piece that lies along the outer side of the rib
rib·wort ['rib-,wərt, -,wȯrt] -n
- ribgrass
rice ['rīs] -n
- the starchy seeds of an annual southeast Asian cereal grass ( Oryza sativa) that are cooked and used for food
- this cereal grass that is widely cultivated in warm climates for its seeds and by-products
RICE -abbr
- rest, ice, compression, elevation
rice·bird ['rīs-,bərd] -n
- any of several small birds common in rice fields
- bobolink
rice paper -n
- 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
- the inner bran layer of rice rubbed off in milling
ric·er ['rī-sər] -n
- a kitchen utensil in which soft foods are pressed through a perforated container to produce strings
ri·cer·car [,rē-(,)chər-'kär] -n
- 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
- having abundant possessions and esp. material wealth
- having high value or quality
- well supplied or endowed
- a city rich in traditions
- magnificently impressive : sumptuous
- vivid and deep in color
- full and mellow in tone and quality
- having a strong fragrance
- highly productive or remunerative
- having abundant plant nutrients
- highly seasoned, fatty, oily, or sweet
- high in the combustible component
- high in some component
- entertaining
- laughable
- meaningful, significant
- lush
- pure or nearly pure
Rich·ard Roe [,rich-ərd-'rō] -n
- a party to legal proceedings whose true name is unknown
rich·en ['ri-chən] -vt
- to make rich or richer
rich·es ['ri-chəz] -n pl
- things that make one rich : wealth
rich·ly ['rich-lē] -adv
- in a rich manner
- in full measure : amply
Rich·ter scale ['rik-tər-] -n
- 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
- a poisonous protein in the castor bean
ri·cin·ole·ic acid [,rī-sə-nō-'lē-ik-, ,ri-, -'lā-] -n
- 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
- a stack (as of hay) in the open air
- a pile of material (as cordwood) split from short logs
- to pile (as hay) in ricks
- wrench, sprain
rick·ets ['ri-kəts] -n pl but sing in constr
- 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
- 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
- affected with rickets
- lacking stability or firmness : shaky
- in unsound physical condition
rick·ey ['ri-kē] -n
- a drink containing liquor, lime juice, sugar, and soda water
- a similar drink without liquor
rick·rack ['rik-,rak] -n
- a flat braid woven to form zigzags and used esp. as trimming on clothing
rick·shaw ['rik-,shȯ] -n
- 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
- Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (Act)
ric·o·chet ['ri-kə-,shā, Brit also -,shet] -n
- a glancing rebound (as of a projectile off a flat surface)
- an object that ricochets
ricochet [-,shād] -vi
- to bounce or skip with or as if with a glancing rebound
ri·cot·ta [ri-'kä-tə, -'kȯ-] -n
- a white unripened whey cheese of Italy that resembles cottage cheese
- a similar cheese made in the U.S. from whole or skim milk
ric·tal ['rik-tᵊl] -adj
- of or relating to the rictus
ric·tus ['rik-təs] -n
- the gape of a bird's mouth
- the mouth orifice
- a gaping grin or grimace
rid ['rid] -vt
- save, rescue
- to make free : relieve, disencumber
- rid the complexion of blemishes
rid·dance ['ri-dᵊn(t)s] -n
- an act of ridding
- deliverance, relief often used in the phrase good riddance esp. to express relief that someone or something has gone
rid·den ['ri-dᵊn] -adj
- harassed, oppressed, or obsessed by usu. used in combination
- excessively full of or supplied with usu. used in combination
rid·dle ['ri-dᵊl] -n
- a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guessed : conundrum, enigma
- something or someone difficult to understand
riddle ['rid-liŋ, 'ri-dᵊl-iŋ] -vb, n
- to speak in or propound riddles
- to find the solution of : explain
- to set a riddle for : puzzle
- a coarse sieve
- to separate (as grain from chaff) with a riddle : screen
- to pierce with many holes
- riddled the car with bullets
- to spread through : permeate
- a book riddled with errors
riddling -adj
- containing or presenting riddles
ride ['rīd] -vb, adj
- to sit and travel on the back of an animal that one directs
- to travel in or on a conveyance
- to travel as if on a conveyance : be borne
- rode on a wave of popularity
- to lie moored or anchored
- sail
- to move like a floating object
- to become supported on a point or surface
- to travel over a surface
- to move on the body
- to continue without interference
- to be contingent : depend
- plans on which the future ride s
- to become bet
- a lot of money riding on the favorite
- to travel on
- to move with like a rider
- to traverse by conveyance
- to ride a horse in
- survive, outlast usu. used with out
- to traverse on horseback to inspect or maintain
- to mount in copulation used of a male animal
- obsess, oppress
- to harass persistently : nag
- tease, rib
- carry, convey
- to project over : overlap
- to give with (a punch) to soften the impact
- to keep in partial engagement by resting a foot continuously on the pedal
- an act of riding
- a trip on horseback or by vehicle
- a way (as a road or path) suitable for riding
- any of various mechanical devices (as at an amusement park) for riding on
- a trip on which gangsters take a victim to murder him
- something likened to such a trip
- take the taxpayers for a ride
- a means of transportation
- the qualities of travel comfort in a vehicle
rid·er ['rī-dər] -n, adj
- one that rides
- an addition to a document (as an insurance policy) often attached on a separate piece of paper
- a clause appended to a legislative bill to secure a usu. distinct object
- something used to overlie another or to move along on another piece
rid·er·ship ['rī-dər-,ship] -n
- the number of persons who ride a system of public transportation
ridge ['rij] -n, adj
- an elevated body part or structure
- a range of hills or mountains
- an elongate elevation on an ocean bottom
- an elongate crest or a linear series of crests
- a raised strip (as of plowed ground)
- the line of intersection at the top between the opposite slopes or sides of a roof
- to form into a ridge
- to extend in ridges
ridge·line ['rij-,līn] -n
- a line marking or following a ridgetop
ridge·ling ['rij-liŋ] -n
- a partially castrated male animal
- a male animal in which one or both testes have not descended into the scrotum
ridge·pole ['rij-,pōl] -n
- the highest horizontal timber in a roof against which the upper ends of the rafters are fixed
- the horizontal pole at the top of a tent
ridge·top ['rij-,täp] -n
- the crest of a ridge
ridgy ['ri-jē] -adj
- having or rising in ridges
rid·i·cule ['ri-də-,kyül] -n
- the act of ridiculing : derision, mockery
ridicule -vt, n
- to make fun of
ri·dic·u·lous [rə-'di-kyə-ləs] -adj, adv, n
- arousing or deserving ridicule : absurd, preposterous
riding -n
- the action or state of one that rides
- used for or when riding
- operated by a rider
ri·ding ['rī-diŋ] -n
- one of the three administrative jurisdictions into which Yorkshire, England, was formerly divided
- an administrative jurisdiction or electoral district in a British dominion (as Canada)
rid·ley ['rid-lē] -n
- : either of two sea turtles (genus Lepidochelysof the family Cheloniidae):
- kemp's ridley
- olive ridley
ri·dot·to [ri-'dä-(,)tō] -n
- 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
- 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
- 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
- a white wine that ranges from dry to very sweet and is made from a single variety of grape orig. grown in Germany
- the grape
RIF -abbr
- reduction in force
ri·fam·pin [rī-'fam-pən] -n
- 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
- prevalent esp. to an increasing degree
- suspicion and cruelty were rife -- W. E. B. DuBois
- abundant, common
- copiously supplied : abounding usu. used with with
riff ['rif] -n
- an ostinato phrase (as in jazz) typically supporting a solo improvisation
- a piece based on such a phrase
- a rapid energetic often improvised verbal outpouring
- one that is part of a comic performance
- a succinct usu. witty comment
- a distinct variation : take
- a disturbing...riff on the Cinderella story -- Daria Donnelly
- to perform, deliver, or make use of a riff
- riffle, skim
rif·fle ['ri-fəl] -vb
- to form, flow over, or move in riffles
- to flip cursorily : thumb
- riffle through the catalog
- to ruffle slightly : ripple
- to leaf through hastily
- to leaf (as a stack of paper) by sliding a thumb along the edge of the leaves
- to shuffle (playing cards) by separating the deck into two parts and riffling with the thumbs so the cards intermix
- to manipulate (small objects) idly between the fingers
riffle -n
- a shallow extending across a streambed and causing broken water
- a stretch of water flowing over a riffle
- a small wave or succession of small waves : ripple
- 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)
- a groove or interstice so formed
- a cleat or bar fastened to an inclined surface in a gold-washing apparatus to catch and hold mineral grains
- the act or process of shuffling (as cards)
- the sound made while doing this
rif·fler ['ri-flər] -n
- a small filing or scraping tool
riff·raff ['rif-,raf] -n, adj
- disreputable persons
- rabble
- one of the riffraff
- refuse, rubbish
ri·fle ['rī-fəl] -vb, n
- to ransack esp. with the intent to steal
- to steal and carry away
- to engage in ransacking and stealing
rifle [-f(ə-)liŋ] -vt
- to cut spiral grooves into the bore of
- a shoulder weapon with a rifled bore
- a rifled artillery piece
- soldiers armed with rifles
- to propel (as a ball) with great force or speed
ri·fle·bird ['rī-fəl-,bərd] -n
- any of several birds of paradise (genus Ptiloris)
ri·fle·man [-mən] -n
- a soldier armed with a rifle
- one skilled in shooting with a rifle
ri·fle·ry ['rī-fəl-rē] -n
- the practice of shooting at targets with a rifle
rifling -n
- the act or process of making spiral grooves
- 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
- fissure, crevasse
- fault
- a clear space or interval
- breach, estrangement
- to burst open
- cleave, divide
- hills were rift ed by the earthquake
- penetrate
rift valley -n
- 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
- 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
- to fit out (as a ship) with rigging
- clothe, dress usu. used with out
- to furnish with special gear : equip
- to put in condition or position for use : adjust, arrange
- a car rigged for manual control
- construct
- rig up a temporary shelter
- the distinctive shape, number, and arrangement of sails and masts of a ship
- equipage
- a carriage with its horse
- clothing, dress
- tackle, equipment, or machinery fitted for a specified purpose
- a tractor-trailer combination
- to manipulate or control usu. by deceptive or dishonest means
- to fix in advance for a desired result
rig·a·doon [,ri-gə-'dün] -n
- a lively dance of the 17th and 18th centuries
- the music for a rigadoon
rigamarole ['ri-gə-mə-,rōl, 'rig-mə-] -n
(variant of rigmarole)
- confused or meaningless talk
- a complex and sometimes ritualistic procedure
rig·a·to·ni [,ri-gə-'tō-nē] -n
- pasta made in short wide fluted tubes
Ri·gel ['rī-jəl, -gəl; 'ri-jəl] -n
- a first-magnitude star in the left foot of the constellation Orion
rig·ger ['ri-gər] -n
- one that rigs
- a long slender pointed sable paintbrush
rig·ging ['ri-giŋ, -gən] -n
- lines and chains used aboard a ship esp. in working sail and supporting masts and spars
- a similar network (as in theater scenery) used for support and manipulation
- clothing
right ['rīt] -adj, n
- righteous, upright
- being in accordance with what is just, good, or proper
- conforming to facts or truth : correct
- suitable, appropriate
- the right man for the job
- straight
- genuine, real
- 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
- located nearer to the right hand than to the left
- 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
- located on the right of an observer facing in the same direction as the object specified
- located on the right when facing downstream
- the right bank of a river
- done with the right hand
- having the axis perpendicular to the base
- of, relating to, or constituting the principal or more prominent side of an object
- made sure the socks were right side out
- acting or judging in accordance with truth or fact
- being in good physical or mental health or order
- being in a correct or proper state
- most favorable or desired : preferable
- socially acceptable
- knew all the right people
- of, adhering to, or constituted by the Right esp. in politics
- qualities (as adherence to duty or obedience to lawful authority) that together constitute the ideal of moral propriety or merit moral approval
- : something to which one has a just claim: as
- the power or privilege to which one is justly entitled
- the interest that one has in a piece of property often used in pl.
- 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
- something that one may properly claim as due
- knowing the truth is her right
- the cause of truth or justice
- right hand
- a blow struck with this hand
- gave him a hard right on the jaw
- the location or direction of the right side
- the part on the right side
- right field
- a turn to the right
- take a right at the stop sign
- the true account or correct interpretation
- the quality or state of being factually correct
- the part of a legislative chamber located to the right of the presiding officer
- the members of a continental European legislative body occupying the right as a result of holding more conservative political views than other members
- individuals professing support of the established order and favoring traditional attitudes and practices and conservative governmental policies
- a conservative position
- a privilege given stockholders to subscribe pro rata to a new issue of securities generally below market price
- the negotiable certificate evidencing such privilege usu. used in pl.
- according to right
- in the exact location, position, or moment : precisely
- quit right then and there
- in a suitable, proper, or desired manner
- knew he wasn't doing it right
- in a direct line, course, or manner : directly, straight
- came right out and said it
- according to fact or truth : truly
- all the way
- windows right to the floor
- in a complete manner
- without delay : immediately
- to a great degree : very
- on or to the right
- to do justice to : redress the injuries of
- so just is God to right the innocent -- Shak.
- justify, vindicate
- felt the need to right himself in court
- avenge
- vows to right the injustice done to his family
- to adjust or restore to the proper state or condition
- to bring or restore to an upright position
- to become upright
right and left -adv
- on both or all sides : in every direction : everywhere
right angle ['rīt-'aŋ-gəld] -n, adj
- the angle bounded by two lines perpendicular to each other : an angle of 90 or radians
right ascension -n
- 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
- without delay or hesitation : immediately
right brain ['rīt-'brānd] -n, adj
- 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
- cone
right circular cylinder -n
- 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
- acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin
- morally right or justifiable
- arising from an outraged sense of justice or morality
- genuine, excellent
right field -n
- the part of the baseball outfield to the right looking out from home plate
- the position of the player defending right field
right·ful ['rīt-fəl] -adj, adv, n
- just, equitable
- having a just or legally established claim : legitimate
- held by right or just claim : legal
- proper, fitting
- assured of his rightful place in history -- Brian Duff
righthand ['rīt-,hand] -adj
- situated on the right
- right-handed
- chiefly relied on
right hand -n
- the hand on a person's right side
- an indispensable person
- the right side
- a place of honor
righthand·ed [-'han-dəd] -adj, adv, n
- using the right hand habitually or more easily than the left
- swinging from right to left
- relating to, designed for, or done with the right hand
- having the same direction or course as the movement of the hands of a watch viewed from in front : clockwise
- having a spiral structure or form that ascends or advances to the right
- opening to the right away from one
righthand·er [-'han-dər] -n
- a blow struck with the right hand
- a right-handed person
- a right-handed pitcher
right·ism ['rīt-,i-zəm] -n, n or adj
- the principles and views of the Right
- advocacy of or adherence to the doctrines of the Right
right·ly ['rīt-lē] -adv
- in accordance with right conduct : fairly, justly
- in the right or proper manner : properly, fittingly
- according to truth or fact : correctly, exactly
rightmind·ed [-'mīn-dəd] -adj, n
- having a right or honest mind
right now -adv
- right away
- at present
righto [,rīt-'ō, 'rī-(,)tō] -interj
- used to express cheerful concurrence, assent, or understanding
right off -adv
- right away
rightofway [,rīt-ə(v)-'wā] -n
- a legal right of passage over another person's ground
- the area over which a right-of-way exists
- the strip of land over which is built a public road
- the land occupied by a railroad esp. for its main line
- the land used by a public utility (as for a transmission line)
- a precedence in passing accorded to one vehicle over another by custom, decision, or statute
- the right of traffic to take precedence
- the right to take precedence over others
- gave the bill the rightofway in the Senate
right on -adj
- exactly correct often used interjectionally to express agreement
- attuned to the spirit of the times
Right Reverend
- used as a title for high ecclesiastical officials
right shoulder arms -n
- 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
- a command to assume this position
right·size ['rīt-,sīz] -vt
- to reduce (as a workforce) to an optimal size
- to undergo a reduction to an optimal size
righttolife ['rīt-tə-'līf] -adj, n
- opposed to abortion
righttowork -adj
- opposing or banning the closed shop and the union shop
right triangle -n
- a triangle having a right angle
right·ward ['rīt-wərd] -adj or adv
- being at, toward, or to the right
right whale -n
- 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
- the rightist division of a group or party
- right
righty ['rī-tē] -n
- right-hander
rig·id ['ri-jəd] -adj, adv, n
- deficient in or devoid of flexibility
- appearing stiff and unyielding
- inflexibly set in opinion
- strictly observed
- adheres to a rigid schedule
- firmly inflexible rather than lax or indulgent
- precise and accurate in procedure
- rigid control of the manufacturing process
- having the outer shape maintained by a fixed framework
ri·gid·i·fy [rə-'ji-də-,fī] -vb, n
- to make rigid
- to become rigid
ri·gid·i·ty [rə-'ji-də-tē] -n
- the quality or state of being rigid
- one that is rigid (as in form or conduct)
rig·ma·role ['ri-gə-mə-,rōl, 'rig-mə-] -n
- confused or meaningless talk
- a complex and sometimes ritualistic procedure
rig·or ['ri-gər] -n
- harsh inflexibility in opinion, temper, or judgment : severity
- the quality of being unyielding or inflexible : strictness
- severity of life : austerity
- an act or instance of strictness, severity, or cruelty
- a tremor caused by a chill
- a condition that makes life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable
- extremity of cold
- strict precision : exactness
- rigidity, stiffness
- rigidness or torpor of organs or tissue that prevents response to stimuli
- rigor mortis
rig·or·ism ['ri-gə-,ri-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj
- rigidity in principle or practice
rig·or mor·tis [,ri-gər-'mȯr-təs also chiefly Brit ,rī-,gȯr-] -n
- temporary rigidity of muscles occurring after death
rig·or·ous ['ri-g(ə-)rəs] -adj, adv, n
- manifesting, exercising, or favoring rigor : very strict
- marked by extremes of temperature or climate
- harsh, severe
- scrupulously accurate : precise
rig·our ['ri-gər] -n
(variant of rigor)
- harsh inflexibility in opinion, temper, or judgment : severity
- the quality of being unyielding or inflexible : strictness
- severity of life : austerity
- an act or instance of strictness, severity, or cruelty
- a tremor caused by a chill
- a condition that makes life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable
- extremity of cold
- strict precision : exactness
- rigidity, stiffness
- rigidness or torpor of organs or tissue that prevents response to stimuli
- rigor mortis
rijst·ta·fel ['rīs-,tä-fəl] -n
- an Indonesian meal consisting of rice and a variety of accompanying dishes (as meat, seafood, and vegetables)
Riks·ml ['riks-,mȯl, 'rēks-] -n
- bokml
rile ['rī(-ə)l] -vt
- to make agitated and angry : upset
- roil
ril·ey ['rī-lē] -adj
- turbid
- angry
rill ['ril] -n
- a very small brook
- to flow like a rill
- any of several long narrow valleys on the moon's surface
rill·et ['ri-lət] -n
- a little rill
ril·lettes [ri-'lets, -'yet] -n pl
- cooked shredded meat (as pork or duck) or fish preserved in fat
rim ['rim] -n, adj
- brink
- the outer often curved or circular edge or border of something
- the outer part of a wheel joined to the hub usu. by spokes
- a removable outer metal band on an automobile wheel to which the tire is attached
- frame
- to run around the rim of
- to serve as a rim for : border
- to form or show a rim
rime ['rīm] -n
- frost
- 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
- crust, incrustation
- to cover with or as if with rime
rime ['rīm] -n, adj
(variant of rhyme)
- rhyming verse
- poetry
- a composition in verse that rhymes
- correspondence in terminal sounds of units of composition or utterance (as two or more words or lines of verse)
- one of two or more words thus corresponding in sound
- : correspondence of other than terminal word sounds: as
- alliteration
- internal rhyme
- rhythm, measure
- to relate or praise in rhyming verse
- to put into rhyme
- to compose (verse) in rhyme
- to cause to rhyme : use as rhyme
- to make rhymes
- to compose rhyming verse
- to end in syllables that are rhymes
- to be in accord : harmonize
rim·fire ['rim-,fī(-ə)r] -adj, n
- having the priming distributed in the rim of the shell
rim·land ['rim-,land] -n
- a region on the edge of the heartland
rimmed ['rimd] -adj
- having a rim usu. used in combination
rim·rock ['rim-,räk] -n
- a top stratum or overlying strata of resistant rock of a plateau that outcrops to form a vertical face
- the edge or face of a rimrock outcrop
rimy ['rī-mē] -adj
- covered with rime : frosty
rind ['rīnd, dial 'rīn] -n, adj
- the bark of a tree
- a usu. hard or tough outer layer : peel, crust
rin·der·pest ['rin-dər-,pest] -n
- 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
- a circular band for holding, connecting, hanging, pulling, packing, or sealing
- a circlet usu. of precious metal worn esp. on the finger
- a circular line, figure, or object
- an encircling arrangement
- a circular or spiral course often used figuratively in pl. in the phrase run rings around to describe surpassing an opponent decisively
- an often circular space esp. for exhibitions or competitions
- such a space at a circus
- a structure containing such a ring
- a square enclosure in which a fighting contest (as a boxing or wrestling match) takes place
- a band of small objects revolving around a planet (as Saturn) and composed of dust and icy or rocky fragments
- annual ring
- an exclusive combination of persons for a selfish and often corrupt purpose (as to control a market)
- gang
- the field of a political contest : race
- food in the shape of a circle
- an arrangement of atoms represented in formulas or models in a cyclic manner called also cycle
- 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
- 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
- an event in gymnastics competition in which the rings are used
- boxing
- to provide with a ring
- to place or form a ring around : encircle
- police ring ed the building
- girdle
- to throw a ringer over (the peg) in a game (as horseshoes or quoits)
- to move in a ring
- to rise in the air spirally
- to form or take the shape of a ring
- to sound resonantly or sonorously
- to be filled with a reverberating sound : resound
- the halls rang with laughter
- to have the sensation of being filled with a humming sound
- to cause something to ring
- to be filled with talk or report
- the whole land rang with her fame
- to have great renown
- to sound repetitiously
- their praise rang in his ears
- to have a sound or character expressive of some quality
- to make a telephone call usu. used with up
- to cause to sound esp. by striking
- to make (a sound) by or as if by ringing a bell
- to announce by or as if by ringing
- to repeat often, loudly, or earnestly
- to summon esp. by bell
- telephone usu. used with up
- a set of bells
- a clear resonant sound made by or resembling that made by vibrating metal
- resonant tone : sonority
- a loud sound continued, repeated, or reverberated
- a sound or character expressive of some particular quality
- the story had a familiar ring
- the act or an instance of ringing
- a telephone call
ringale·vio [,riŋ-ə-'lē-vē-,ō] -n
- 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
- 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
- girdle
ringbilled gull ['riŋ-,bild-] -n
- 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
- a loose-leaf binder in which split rings attached to a back hold the perforated sheets of paper
ring·bolt ['riŋ-,bōlt] -n
- an eyebolt with a ring through its eye
ring·bone [-,bōn] -n
- 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
- round dance
ring·dove ['riŋ-,dəv] -n
- wood pigeon
- ringed turtle dove
ringed -adj
- encircled or marked with or as if with rings
- composed or formed of rings
ringed turtle dove -n
- 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
- one that sounds esp. by ringing
- one that enters a competition under false representations
- imposter, fake
- one that strongly resembles another often used with dead
- he's a dead ringer for the senator
ringer -n
- 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
- 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
- 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
- the third finger esp. of the left hand counting the index finger as the first
ringing [-iŋ-lē] -adj, adv
- clear and full in tone : resounding
- vigorously unequivocal : decisive
- a ringing condemnation of immorality
ring·lead·er ['riŋ-,lē-dər] -n
- a leader of a ring of individuals engaged esp. in improper or unlawful activities
ring·let ['riŋ-lət] -n
- a small ring or circle
- curl
- a long curl of hair
ring·mas·ter ['riŋ-,mas-tər] -n
- one in charge of performances in a ring (as of a circus)
- a supervisor or moderator esp. of a performance or presentation
- the ringmaster of a talk show
ring·neck [-,nek] -n
- a ring-necked animal
ringnecked ['riŋ-,nekt] -adj
- having a ring of color about the neck
ringnecked duck -n
- 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
- 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
- hang up
ring ouzel -n
- a dark Old World thrush ( Turdus torquatus) with the male having a white breast band
ringpo·rous ['riŋ-,pȯr-əs] -adj
- 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
- a highway skirting an urban area
ring·side ['riŋ-,sīd] -n
- the area just outside a ring esp. in which a contest occurs
- a place that affords a close view
ringside -adj
- being at the ringside
ring spot -n
- any of various plant diseases caused by viruses (genus Nepovirusof the family Comoviridae) and marked by circular lesions of usu. chlorotic or necrotic tissue
- 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
- 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
- marked with circular stripes
ring·tail [-,tāl] -n
- raccoon
- 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
- capuchin
ringtailed [-,tāld] -adj
- having a tail marked with rings of differing colors
- having a tail carried in a form approximating a circle
- a ringtailed Afghan hound
ring·taw [-,tȯ] -n
- 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
- the sound made by a cell phone to signal an incoming call
ring·toss [-,tȯs, -,täs] -n
- a game in which the object is to toss a ring so that it will fall over an upright stick
ring up -vt
- to total and record esp. by means of a cash register
- achieve
- rang up many social triumphs
ring·worm ['riŋ-,wərm] -n
- 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
- a smooth extent of ice marked off for curling or ice hockey
- a surface of ice for ice-skating
- a building containing such a rink
- an enclosure for roller-skating
- an alley for lawn bowling
- a team in bowls or curling
rinkydink ['riŋ-kē-,diŋk] -adj
- small-time
- old-fashioned
rinse ['rin(t)s, esp dial 'rench] -vt, n
- to cleanse by flushing with liquid (as water) often used with out
- to cleanse (as of soap) by clear water
- to treat (hair) with a rinse
- to remove (dirt or impurities) by washing lightly or in water only
- the act or process of rinsing
- liquid used for rinsing
- a solution that temporarily tints hair
rinsing -n
- dregs, residue usu. used in pl.
- water that has been used for rinsing usu. used in pl.
RIO -abbr
- radar intercept officer
rio·ja [rē-'ō-(,)hä] -n
- a wine from the Rioja region of Spain
- a dry red wine from this region
ri·ot ['rī-ət] -n
- profligate behavior : debauchery
- unrestrained revelry
- noise, uproar, or disturbance made by revelers
- public violence, tumult, or disorder
- a violent public disorder
- a tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons assembled together and acting with a common intent
- a random or disorderly profusion
- the woods were a riot of color
- one that is wildly amusing
riot -vi, n
- to indulge in revelry or wantonness
- to create or engage in a riot
riot act -n
- a vigorous reprimand or warning used in the phrase read the riot act
riot gun -n
- a small arm used to disperse rioters rather than to inflict serious injury or death
- a short-barreled shotgun
ri·ot·ous ['rī-ə-təs] -adj, adv, n
- of the nature of a riot : turbulent
- participating in riot
- abundant, exuberant
- the garden was riotous with flowers
rip ['rip] -vb
- to tear or split apart or open
- to saw or split (wood) with the grain
- to slash or slit with or as if with a sharp blade
- to hit sharply
- ripped a double to left field
- to utter violently : spit out
- criticize, disparage
- to become ripped : rend
- to rush headlong
- a rent made by ripping : tear
- cut
- a body of water made rough by the meeting of opposing tides, currents, or winds
- a current of water roughened by passing over an irregular bottom
- rip current
- a dissolute person : libertine
RIP -abbr
- may he rest in peace, may she rest in peace;
- may they rest in peace
ri·par·i·an [rə-'per-ē-ən, rī-] -adj
- 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 right -n
- a right (as access to or use of the shore, bed, and water) of one owning riparian land
rip cord -n
- 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
- a cord or wire pulled in making a descent to release a parachute out of its container
rip current -n
- 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
- fully grown and developed : mature
- having mature knowledge, understanding, or judgment
- of advanced years : late
- suitable, appropriate
- the time was ripe for the attempt
- fully prepared : ready
- the colonies were ripe for revolution
- brought by aging to full flavor or the best state : mellow
- smelly, stinking
- ruddy, plump, or full like ripened fruit
- indecent
rip·en ['rī-pən, 'rī-pᵊm] -vb, n
- to grow or become ripe
- to make ripe
- to bring to completeness or perfection
- to age or cure (cheese) to develop characteristic flavor, odor, body, texture, and color
- to improve flavor and tenderness of (beef or game) by aging under refrigeration
ri·pie·no [ri-'pyā-(,)nō, -'pye-] -n
- tutti
ripoff ['rip-,ȯf] -n
- an act or instance of stealing : theft
- a financial exploitation
- a usu. cheap exploitive imitation
rip off -vt
- rob
- cheat, defraud
- steal
- to copy or imitate blatantly or unscrupulously
- to perform, achieve, or score quickly or easily
- ripped off 10 straight points
ri·poste [ri-'pōst] -n, vb
- a fencer's quick return thrust following a parry
- a retaliatory verbal sally : retort
- a retaliatory maneuver or measure
ripped -adj
- being under the influence of alcohol or drugs : high, stoned
- having high muscle definition
rip·per ['ri-pər] -n
- one that rips
- a machine used to break up solid material (as rock or ore)
- an excellent example or instance of its kind
ripping -adj
- excellent, delightful
- I've had a ripping time here -- W. S. Maugham
rip·ple ['ri-pəl] -vb, n
- to become lightly ruffled or covered with small waves
- to flow in small waves
- to fall in soft undulating folds
- the scarf rippled to the floor
- to flow with a light rise and fall of sound or inflection
- laughter rippled over the audience
- to move with an undulating motion or so as to cause ripples
- the canoe rippled through the water
- to have or produce a ripple effect : spread
- the news rippled outwards
- to stir up small waves on
- to impart a wavy motion or appearance to
- to utter or play with a slight rise and fall of sound
ripple ['ri-p(ə-)lē] -n, adj
- a shallow stretch of rough water in a stream
- the ruffling of the surface of water
- a small wave
- ripple mark
- a sound like that of rippling water
- a usu. slight noticeable effect or reaction
ripple effect -n
- 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
- one of a series of small ridges produced esp. on sand by the action of wind, a current of water, or waves
- a striation across the grain of wood esp. on the tangential surface
rip·rap ['rip-,rap] -n
- a foundation or sustaining wall of stones or chunks of concrete thrown together without order (as in deep water)
- a layer of this or similar material on an embankment slope to prevent erosion
- material used for riprap
riprap -vt
- to form a riprap in or upon
- to strengthen or support with a riprap
riproar·ing ['rip-'rȯr-iŋ] -adj
- noisily excited or exciting
rip·saw ['rip-,sȯ] -n
- a coarse-toothed saw used to cut wood in the direction of the grain
rip·snort·er ['rip-'snȯr-tər] -n, adj
- something extraordinary : humdinger
- the finale was a ripsnorter
rip·stop ['rip-,stäp] -adj, n
- of, relating to, or being a fabric woven with a double thread at regular intervals so that small tears do not spread
rip·tide ['rip-,tīd] -n
- rip current
Rip·u·ar·i·an [,ri-pyə-'wer-ē-ən] -adj
- 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
- a ne'er-do-well in a story in Washington Irving's Sketch Bookwho sleeps for 20 years
RISC -abbr
- reduced instruction-set computer; reduced instruction-set computing
rise ['rīz] -vi
- to assume an upright position esp. from lying, kneeling, or sitting
- to get up from sleep or from one's bed
- to return from death
- to take up arms
- to respond warmly : applaud usu. used with to
- the audience rose to her verve and wit
- to end a session : adjourn
- to appear above the horizon
- to move upward : ascend
- to increase in height, size, volume, or pitch
- to extend above other objects
- mountain peaks rose to the west
- to become heartened or elated
- to increase in fervor or intensity
- my anger rose as I thought about the insult
- to attain a higher level or rank
- officers who rose from the ranks
- to increase in quantity or number
- to take place : happen
- to come into being : originate
- to follow as a consequence : result
- to exert oneself to meet a challenge
- a spot higher than surrounding ground : hilltop
- an upward slope
- : an act of rising or a state of being risen: as
- a movement upward : ascent
- emergence (as of the sun) above the horizon
- the upward movement of a fish to seize food or bait
- beginning, origin
- the river had its rise in the mountain
- the distance or elevation of one point above another
- an increase esp. in amount, number, or volume
- raise
- an increase in price, value, rate, or sum
- a rise in the cost of living
- an angry reaction
- the distance from the crotch to the waistline on pants
ris·er ['rī-zər] -n
- one that rises (as from sleep)
- the upright member between two stair treads
- a stage platform on which performers are placed for greater visibility
- a vertical pipe (as for water or gas) or a vertical portion of an electric wiring system
- 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
- laughter
- 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
- capable of laughing
- disposed to laugh
- arousing or provoking laughter
- laughable
- associated with, relating to, or used in laughter
ris·i·bles [-bəlz] -n pl
- sense of the ridiculous : sense of humor
rising -n
- insurrection, uprising
- approaching a stated age : nearly
- a red cow rising four years old -- Lancaster (Pa.) Jour.
rising diphthong -n
- a diphthong in which the second element is more sonorous than the first (as wi in kwit quit)
rising rhythm -n
- rhythm with stress occurring regularly on the last syllable of each foot
rising star -n
- 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
- possibility of loss or injury : peril
- someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard
- the chance of loss or the perils to the subject matter of an insurance contract
- the degree of probability of such loss
- a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer
- an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source
- the chance that an investment (as a stock or commodity) will lose value
- to expose to hazard or danger
- to incur the risk or danger of
- risk ed breaking his neck
risk capital -n
- venture capital
risk factor -n
- something that increases risk or susceptibility
risky ['ris-kē] -adj, n
- attended with risk or danger : hazardous
ri·sor·gi·men·to [(,)rē-,zȯr-ji-'men-(,)tō, -,sȯr-] -n
- the 19th century movement for Italian political unity
- a time of renewal or renaissance : revival
ri·sot·to [ri-'sȯ-(,)tō, -'zȯ-] -n
- 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
- an antipsychotic drug C 28H 27FN 4O 2used esp. to treat schizophrenia
ris·que [ri-'skā] -adj
- verging on impropriety or indecency : off-color
rit -abbr
- ritardando
Rit·a·lin ['ri-tə-lən] -trademark
- used for a preparation of methylphenidate
ri·tard [ri-'tärd] -n
- ritardando
ri·tar·dan·do [ri-,tär-'dän-(,)dō, ,rē-] -adv or adj
- with a gradual slackening in tempo used as a direction in music
ritardando -n
- a ritardando passage
rite ['rīt] -n
- a prescribed form or manner governing the words or actions for a ceremony
- the ceremonial practices of a church or group of churches
- a ceremonial act or action
- a division of the Christian church using a distinctive liturgy
rite of passage
- 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
- 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
- a short recurrent instrumental passage in a vocal composition
- an instrumental interlude in early opera
- a tutti passage in a concerto or rondo refrain
rit·u·al ['ri-chə-wəl, -chəl; 'rich-wəl] -adj, adv
- of or relating to rites or a ritual : ceremonial
- according to religious law
- done in accordance with social custom or normal protocol
ritual -n
- the established form for a ceremony
- the order of words prescribed for a religious ceremony
- ritual observance
- a system of rites
- a ceremonial act or action
- 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
- the use of ritual
- excessive devotion to ritual
rit·u·al·ize [-,līz] -vb, n
- to practice ritualism
- to make a ritual of
- to impose a ritual on
ritzy ['rit-sē] -adj, n
- snobbish
- impressively or ostentatiously fancy or stylish : fashionable, posh
riv -abbr
- river
ri·val ['rī-vəl] -n
- one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess
- one striving for competitive advantage
- companion, associate
- equal, peer
rival -adj
- having the same pretensions or claims : competing
- to act as a rival : compete
- to be in competition with
- to strive to equal or excel : emulate
- to possess qualities or aptitudes that approach or equal (those of another)
ri·val·rous ['rī-vəl-rəs] -adj
- given to rivalry : competitive
ri·val·ry ['rī-vəl-rē] -n
- the act of rivaling : the state of being a rival : competition
rive ['rīv] -vb
- to wrench open or tear apart or to pieces : rend
- to split with force or violence
- to divide into pieces
- nations riven by civil war
- fracture
- to become split : crack
riv·er ['ri-vər] -n
- a natural stream of water of usu. considerable volume
- watercourse
- something resembling a river
- large or overwhelming quantities
riv·er·bank ['ri-vər-,baŋk] -n
- the bank of a river
riv·er·bed [-,bed] -n
- the channel occupied by a river
river blindness -n
- onchocerciasis
riv·er·boat [-,bōt] -n
- a boat for use on a river
river duck -n
- dabbler
riv·er·front [-,frənt] -n
- the land or area along a river
river horse -n
- hippopotamus
riv·er·ine ['ri-və-,rīn, -,rēn] -adj
- relating to, formed by, or resembling a river
- living or situated on the banks of a river
river otter -n
- any of various Old and New World otters (esp. genera Lutraand Lontra)
- 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
- the side or bank of a river
riv·er·ward [-wərd] -adv or adj
- toward a river
riv·et ['ri-vət] -n
- 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
- to fasten with or as if with rivets
- to upset the end or point of (as a metallic pin, rod, or bolt) by beating or pressing so as to form a head
- to fasten or fix firmly
- to attract and hold (as the attention) completely
riv·et·ing ['ri-və-tiŋ] -adj, adv
- having the power to fix the attention : engrossing, fascinating
ri·vi·era [,ri-vē-'er-ə, ri-'vyer-] -n
- a coastal region frequented as a resort area and usu. marked by a mild climate
ri·vi·ere [,ri-vē-'er, ri-'vyer] -n
- a necklace of precious stones (as diamonds)
riv·u·let ['ri-vyə-lət, -və-] -n
- a small stream