Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
Ra p. 1079An inseparable prefix or preposition, from the Lat. re and ad combined, coming to us through the French and Italian. See Re and AD.Ràb, n. p. 1079A rod or stick used by masons in mixing hair with mortar.Ra-bāte', v. t. p. 1079(Falconry.) To recover to the fist, as a hawk. [Obs.] Ainsworth.Ra-bā'to, n. p. 1079A kind of ruff or folded-down collar of a shift or shirt. [Obs.] Other rabato were better. Shak.Rab-bāte', v. t. p. 1079To abate. [Obs.] Palsgrave.Rab-bāte', n. p. 1079Abatement or diminution. [Obs.]Răb'bet, v. t. p. 1079To cut, as the edge of a board, in a sloping manner, so that it may form a joint with another board, similarly cut, by lapping; also, to cut a rectangular groove, or recess, longitudinally in the…Răb'bet, n. p. 1079A sloping cut made upon the edge of a board, so that it may form a joint with another board, similarly cut, by lapping; also, a rectangular recess, or groove, cut longitudinally in the edge of a…Răb'bet-joint, n. p. 1079A joint formed by rabbeting the parts of a board or piece of timber; a rabbet.Răb'bet-plāne, n. p. 1079A joiner's plane for cutting a rabbet. Moxon.Răb'bi, n. p. 1079Master; lord; sir;—a Jewish title of respect or honor, belonging to a teacher or doctor of the law. Be not ye called Rabbi, for one is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren. Matt. xxiii.…Răb'bĭn, n. p. 1079The same as RABBI, q. v.Rab-bīn'ic or Rab-bīn'ic-al, a. p. 1079Pertaining to the rabbins, or Jewish doctors of the law, or to their opinions, learning, and language. We will not buy your rabbinical fumes; we have One that calls us to buy of him pure gold tried…Rab-bin'ic, n. p. 1079The language or dialect of the rabbins; the later Hebrew.Răb'bin-īzm, n. p. 1079A rabbinic expression or phraseology; a peculiarity of the language of the rabbins.Rāb'bin-īst, n. p. 1079One among the Jews, who adhered to the Talmud and the traditions of the rabbins, in opposition to the Caraites, who rejected the traditions.Rāb'bin-ite, n. p. 1079The same as RABBINIST.Răb'bit, n. p. 1079(Zoöl.) A small rodent mammal (the Lepus cuniculus) which burrows in the earth. It is a very prolific animal, and is kept in warrens for the sake of its flesh. It resembles the hare, but is smaller…Rāb’bit-ry, n. p. 1079A place where rabbits are kept; especially, a collection of hutches for tame rabbits.Răb'bit-sŭck'er, n. p. 1079A sucking rabbit. [Obs.] Shak.Răb'ble, n. p. 1079A tumultuous crowd of vulgar, noisy people; a mob; a confused, disorderly crowd. I saw, I say, some out of London, even unto the presence of the prince, a great rabble of mean and light persons.…Rāb'ble, v. t. p. 1079To insult or drive away by a mob; to mob; as, to rabble a curate. Macaulay.Rāb'ble, a. p. 1079Pertaining to, or suited to, a rabble; tumultuous; disorderly. [Rare.] Dryden.Răb'ble, v. i. p. 1079To speak in a confused manner. [Prov. Eng.]Rāb’ble-ment, n. p. 1079A tumultuous crowd of low people. [Obs.] And still, as he refused it, the Rabblement shouted. Shak.Rab-doid'al, a. p. 1079(Anat.) Of, or pertaining to, the sagittal suture, or that which unites the parietal bones. [Written also rhabdoidal.]Rab-dŏl'o-gy, n. p. 1079The method or art of performing arithmetical operations by means of little square rods, called Napier's-bones. [Written also rhabdology.]Răb'do-măn'cy, n. p. 1079Divination by means of rods or wands. [Written also rhabdomancy.] Browne.Răb'id, a. p. 1079Furious; raging; mad; as, a rabid dog or wolf; — especially applied to animals of the canine genus affected with the distemper called rabies, and whose bite communicates hydrophobia. With rabid…Răb'id-ly, adv. p. 1079In a rabid manner; madly; furiously.Răb'id-ness, n. p. 1079The condition of being rabid; furiousness; madness.Rā'bĭ-ēs, n. p. 1079Madness, as that of dogs; the condition produced by the bite of mad animals.Răb'in-et, n. p. 1079A kind of smaller ordnance. Ainsworth.Rā'că, a. p. 1079Empty; beggarly; foolish; worthless; loose in life and manners;—a term expressing contempt. Whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. Matt. v. 25.Rac-coon', n. p. 1079(Zoöl.) A carnivorous mammal inhabiting North America, allied to the bear, but about the size of a common dog. There are two species in the United States: Procyon lotor, found east of the…Rāçe, n. p. 1079The descendants of a common ancestor; a family, tribe, people, or nation, believed or presumed to belong to the same stock; a lineage; a breed. Hence the long race of Alban fathers come. Dryden.…Rāçe, n. p. 1079A progress; a course; a movement or progression of any kind; hence, a method or course of action or effort; train; process. “My race of glory run.” Pope. The race of life becomes a hopeless flight To…Rāçe, v. i. p. 1079To run swiftly; to run or contend in running; as, the animals raced over the ground.Rāçe, v. t. p. 1079To cause to run rapidly, as a horse in a race; to drive swiftly.Rāçe'-cōurse, n. p. 1080The path, generally circular or elliptical, over which a race is run. Dickens. 2. The canal along which water is conveyed to or from a mill-wheel. Wright.Rāçe'-cūp, n. p. 1080A prize-cup run for at a race.Rāçe'-gīn'ger, n. p. 1080Ginger in the root, or not pulverized.Rāce'-hōrse, n. p. 1080A horse bred or kept for running in contest; a horse that runs in competition. 2. (Ornith.) A species of duck which moves very swiftly over the surface of the water; steamer-duck.Răç'e-mā'tion, n. p. 1080A cluster or bunch, as of grapes. Browne. 2. The cultivation of clusters of grapes. Burnet.Ra-cēme', n. p. 1080(Bot.) A flower-cluster with short and equal lateral one-flowered pedicels, as in the currant. Lindley. Compound raceme, one having pedicels more than one-flowered.Ra-cēmed', a. p. 1080Having a raceme.Ra-cē'mic, a. p. 1080(Chem.) Pertaining to, or obtained from, grapes;—said of a certain acid found in the juice of grapes, obtained from certain vineyards on the Rhine. Gregory.Răç'e-mĭf'er-oŭs, a. p. 1080Bearing racemes, as the currant.Răçe'-mōse', a. p. 1080(Bot.) (a.) Racemosus. (b.) Resembling a raceme.Rāçe'-moŭs or Ra-çē'moŭs, a. p. 1080(Bot.) Growing in racemes.Ra-cĕm'ū-lōse', a. p. 1080(Bot.) Bearing very small racemes. Henslow.Rā'cer, n. p. 1080One who races, or contends in a race. And bade the nimblest racer seize the prize. Pope. 2. (Zoöl.) A kind of black snake of the genus Coluber, especially C. getulus, found in the United States…Rāch, n. p. 1080A setting dog or pointer.Ra-chīl'la, n. p. 1080(Bot.) A branch of inflorescence; the zig-zag center on which the florets are arranged in the spikelets of grasses.Rā'chis, n. p. 1080(Anat.) The vertebral column. 2. (Bot.) The axis of several kinds of inflorescence;—sometimes applied to the stipe of a fern, but not properly. Lindley.Ra-chīt'ic, a. p. 1080(Med.) Pertaining to, or affected by, rachitis; rickety.Ra-chī'tis, n. p. 1080(Med.) Inflammation of the spine;—most commonly applied to a disease of early childhood, in which the bones soften, become swollen and distorted, and the body deformed; the rickets. 2. (Bot.) A…Rā'ci-ly, adv. p. 1080In a racy manner.Rā'ci-ness, n. p. 1080The quality of being racy; peculiar and piquant flavor. The general characteristics of his [Cobbett's] style were perspicuity, unequaled and inimitable; a homely, muscular vigor; a purity always…Răck, v. t. p. 1080To stretch or strain; to extend by violence or force; hence, to submit to violent treatment; to wrest. Grant that I may never rack a Scripture simile beyond the true intent thereof. Fuller. 2.…