Dictionary [R]

Word	Definition
raad	electric catfish
rabanna	raffia fabric of Madagascar
rabbet	groove cut to receive an edge
rabble	device for stirring molten iron in a furnace
Rabelaisian	coarsely hilarious
rabic	of, like or pertaining to rabies
racemation	cluster or bundle of grapes or any other thing
raceme	central stem with flowers on small stalks
racemiferous	bearing clusters or bunches
rach	dog that hunts by scent
rachidian	of or concerning the spine
rachiometer	instrument for measuring the spine
rachis	spine or axis of a feather; the spinal cord
rachitogenic	causing rickets
raciology	study of racial differences
rackrent	excessive rent
racloir	scraper used by early hominids
raconteur	teller of anecdotes
radappertization	treatment of food with ionizing radiation to kill bacteria
radarscope	instrument for detecting radar signals
raddle	flexible rod used to make hurdles or fences
raddle	red ochre used to make marks
radicated	rooted; established
radiciform	like a root
radicivorous	eating roots
radicle	rootlike organ or part
radicolous	living on roots
radiesthesia	sensitivity to radiation from any source
radiogenic	produced by radioactive disintegration
radiogoniometer	instrument for finding direction through radio signals
radiology	study of X-rays and their medical applications
radiometeorograph	instrument for measuring atmospheric conditions at high altitude
radiometer	instrument measuring radiation energy
radioscope	instrument for viewing objects using X-rays
radiosonde	radio transmitter in balloon used to gather weather data
radix	root; root-number or numerical base; root word or stem
radular	coarse; scraping; raspy
raduliform	like a rasp or file
rafale	burst of artillery in quick rounds
raffish	disreputable; vulgar
ragabash	idle worthless fellow
raglan	having sleeves going all the way to the neck
ragmatical	wild; ill-behaved
raguly	in heraldry, having short alternating projections and depressions
railophone	telephone installed in a train
raisonneur	person in a play or book embodying author's viewpoint
rake	the inclination of a mast or another part of a ship
ramage	boughs of a tree
ramate	branched
rameal	of, like or pertaining to branches
ramellose	having small branches
ramentum	chaffy scale on plants
ramie	strong lustrous fabric resembling linen or silk
ramiferous	bearing branches
ramiform	branching; shaped like branches
rampallion	scoundrel; villain
rampant	heraldic animal portrayed on its hind legs
rampick	dead tree or tree decayed at top
ramuliferous	bearing small branches
ramulus	small branch
ramus	branch of anything
ranarian	froggy
ranarium	place where frogs are kept
rancelman	local constable or law officer in Orkney and Shetland
rancescent	becoming rancid
rand	border; edge; margin
randan	uproar; din; riotous conduct
randem	with three horses in single file
rangiferine	of, like or pertaining to or like reindeer
raniform	frog-like
ranine	of, like or pertaining to or like frogs
ranivorous	eating frogs
rantipole	wild; disorderly
rantize	to sprinkle with water during baptism
ranunculaceous	of, like or pertaining to buttercups
raploch	coarse undyed woollen cloth
rappel	call to arms by the beating of a drum
rapprochement	establishment of or state of cordial relations
raptorial	predacious; of, like or pertaining to a bird of prey
raptus	trance; rapture; seizure
rarissima	extremely rare books
ras	headland
raschel	light loosely kitted cloth
rasophore	lowest rank of Greek Orthodox monk
rasorial	scraping the ground for food
raster	pattern of parallel lines or grid used in certain scanning devices
rasure	act of scraping; erasure; obliteration
rataplan	drumming sound
ratemeter	instrument for measuring counting rate of electronic counters
rath	prehistoric hill fort
rathe	quick; early; eager
ratheripe	early ripe
raticide	substance or person who kills rats
ratihabition	ratification
ratiné	rough bulky plain-woven fabric
ratiocinate	to reason or argue logically
rationalism	belief that reason is the fundamental source of knowledge
ratite	of, like or pertaining to flightless birds
ratline	small rope forming a rung of a rope ladder on a ship
ratten	to practise sabotage against
ravanastron	ancient Hindu stringed instrument played with a bow
ravelin	detached work with two embankments
realism	doctrine that objects of cognition are real
reast	to become rancid
rebarbative	repellent; repulsive
rebatement	abatement; reduction; discount
rebec	medieval musical instrument like a mandolin or viol
reboant	marked by reverberation; resounding
rebullition	act of boiling up or effervescing
rebus	picture puzzle representing a word
recadency	relapsing; falling back
recalesce	to display again a state of glowing heat
recaption	reprisal; taking back that which is unlawfully obtained
recense	to revise critically
recept	idea or imaged formed by repeated similar perceptions
receptacular	serving as a receptacle
recherché	carefully chosen, rare or exotic
recidivism	habit of relapsing into crime
recipiangle	old instrument with two arms used for measuring angles
reciprocornous	having horns that turn backward and then forward
recision	cutting back; rescinding
récit	solo part for voice or instrument; narrative tale
reckling	smallest or weakest of a litter
réclame	art or practice by which publicity or notoriety is secured
reclinate	bent down or back
recoct	to cook again; to concoct; to improvise
recondite	out of the way; little known
recreant	craven; false; apostate
recrement	waste; dross; secretion that is reabsorbed; excess matter
recriminate	to charge one's accuser
recrudescence	a resurgence after a period of abatement
rectalgia	pain in the butt
rectigrade	moving in a straight line
rectiserial	in vertical ranks
rectitudinous	manifesting overly obvious moral correctness
recto	front side of a bookleaf; on the front
rectrix	quill feathers of a bird's tail
recumbent	reclining; lying comfortably
recure	to cure; to heal; to bring back to health
recusant	one who refuses to attend Catholic church services; nonconformist
redact	to edit; work into shape; to frame
redan	field fortification with two parapets meeting at an angle
redargue	to refute; to confute
reddendum	reserving clause in a lease
rede	to counsel or advise
redhibition	return of defective product and cancellation of sale
redintegrate	to make whole again; to restore
redivivus	resuscitated; come to life again
redolent	fragrant; smelling of; suggestive of
redoubt	rough and temporary fortification
redoubtable	formidable; valiant
redound	recoil back on; make contribution for own benefit
redshort	brittle at red-heat
reductionism	belief that complex phenomena are reducible to simple ones
reduit	inner fortified retreat for a garrison
reef	to reduce area of a sail by rolling or folding part of it
reel	lively dance of the Scottish Highlands
reeve	to pass a rope through a ring
refection	refreshment or relief; a meal
refectory	dining-hall of a monastery or other institution
refel	to refute; to disprove; to confute
reflation	increase in amount of economic activity and spending
reflectometer	instrument for measuring reflectance of radiant energy
reflet	iridescent or metallic lustre
reflexology	study of reflexes
refluent	flowing back; ebbing; tidal
reflux	an ebb; boiling using a condenser to avoid liquid loss
refocillate	to refresh; to cherish
refractometer	instrument measuring refraction of light
refractory	unruly; unmanageable; perverse; obstinate
refrangible	that may be refracted
refringency	refractivity
refugium	area that has retained earlier geographic conditions
refulgent	casting a flood of light; radiant; beaming
regal	a small portable organ
regalism	doctrine of the monarch's supremacy in church affairs
regardant	in profile and looking to the rear
regelation	freezing together again
reginal	of, like or pertaining to a queen
régisseur	stage manager; director; manager
regius	royal
reglementation	regulation
reglet	strip for spacing between lines in printing
regnal	of a reign
regolith	layer of loose rock overlaying solid rock
regorge	to disgorge; to regurgitate
regrate	to buy and sell again in or near the same market
regrede	to retrograde
regreet	to exchange greetings
reguerdon	to reward
regula	rule of a religious order
regulus	impure metal; intermediate product in ore smelting
reinfund	to flow in again
rejectamenta	refuse; excrement
rejoinder	sharp and clever answer
relâche	relaxation; rest; no performance
relative	indicating relation or a prepositional object
relict	left behind; surviving
reliction	recession of sea leaving bare land
religate	to tie together; to restrain
reliquary	a small box or shrine used to hold relics
reliquiae	remains
relucent	reflecting; shining
relume	to light or light up again
remanent	a remainder; a remnant
remanet	postponed case or parliamentary bill
remeant	returning; coming back
remex	quill feather of a bird's wing
remiform	oar-shaped
remigate	to row
remittitur	act of sending case from appellate court back to trial court
remonstrate	to protest; to expostulate
remontant	flowering more than once per season
remora	delay; obstacle
remuant	restless; fidgety
remueur	person who turns the bottles in wine-making
renal	of, like or pertaining to the kidneys
renascent	coming into renewed life or vitality
rencounter	chance meeting; encounter; casual combat
reniform	shaped like a kidney
renitent	resistant; reluctant; recalcitrant
renverse	to reverse; to upset
rep	plain-woven fabric with crosswise ribs
repetend	figures, words, notes or numbers that are repeated
repine	to feel or express discontent or dejection
replevin	repossession of stolen goods pending outcome of lawsuit
repository	side altar in Catholic church
repoussé	raised in relief by hammering from behind or within
reprehend	to rebuke
representamen	the product of representation
representationalism	doctrine that ideas rather than external objects are basis of knowledge
reprobate	reprehensible or immoral person
reprography	reproduction of graphic or typeset material
reptant	creeping; crawling
reptation	act of squirming along a smooth-walled narrow passage
repugn	to fight against; to oppose
repunit	number consisting of two or more identical integers
requiem	lament or mass for the dead
requiescat	prayer for the dead
requital	act of payment in return; repayment; vengeance
reredos	screen behind altar
reremouse	bat
rescript	answer of pope or emperor to any legal question; edict or decree
réseau	network of lines used in star photographs
resection	cutting away a part of; especially the end
resiant	resident
resile	to recoil; to rebound; to draw back from a position
resiniferous	bearing resin
resipiscence	recognition of error; change to better frame of mind
resistentialism	humorous theory that inanimate objects display malice towards humans
resofincular	resembling a wire hanger
resorb	to absorb back; to reabsorb
respirometer	instrument for measuring and studying respiration
respondentia	loan on ship's cargo payable on safe arrival
responsory	set of responses sung or said after liturgical reading
restiform	shaped like a cord
resupine	lying on the back
ret	to expose to moisture; to soak; to soften by soaking
retable	shelf or ornamental setting for panels behind an altar
rete	network or net; stylized star-map of an astrolabe
retiary	of nets; using nets as a weapon; catching insects in webs
reticella	old Venetian lace-like fabric
reticello	glass formed with decorative network of fine glass threads
reticle	set of intersecting wires used to facilitate accurate observations
reticular	of, like or pertaining to nets; intricate
reticulate	divide or be divided into a network
reticule	small woven lady's handbag
reticulose	of the nature of a network
retiform	shaped like a net
retinaculum	connecting band; means of retention
retinise	to read mechanically by sight alone
retinoid	like resin
retinoscope	instrument for measuring and viewing the retina
retiracy	seclusion; enough to retire on
retorse	bent backwards
retrad	backwards
retrahent	drawing back
retral	at or toward the rear
retree	slightly damaged paper
retrenchment	cutting down on; reduction in amount of
retrocede	to move back; to cede back; to grant back
retrochoir	space in choir behind high altar
retrocognition	extrasensory knowledge of past events
retrograde	moving or directed backwards; degenerating; inverse
retrogress	backward movement; degeneration
retroject	to throw backwards
retromancy	divination by looking over one's shoulder
retromingent	urinating rearwards
retromorphosis	change for the worse
retronym	new name as modification of older term used alone
retrophilia	love of things of the past
retropulsion	pushing backwards
retrorse	turned back or downward
retroussé	turned up; especially of the nose
retrovert	to turn back
revalescent	convalescent
revalorize	to give new value to; to restore value of currency
revanche	revenge; policy directed towards recovery of territory
revehent	carrying back
revendicate	to make formal claim to; to try to retrieve lost goods
revers	any part of a garment which is turned back
revest	reinstate; reinvest
revet	to face with masonry
revetment	retaining wall
revie	to stake more than an opponent has proposed on
revirescent	growing young or strong again
reviviscent	reviving
revolute	rolled back at the edges
rhabdoid	rodlike
rhabdology	knowledge or learning concerning divining rods
rhabdology	art of calculating using numbering rods
rhabdomancy	divination using a rod or stick
rhabdos	magic wand
rhadamanthine	like a stern judge
rhaebosis	curvature; bandiness
rhagades	small fissures or chaps on the skin
rhamphoid	hooked beak shaped
rhapsodomancy	divination by opening works of poetry at random
rhathymia	personality factor leading to optimism and cheerfulness
rheid	substance that flows viscously when below its melting point
rhema	word; verb
rhematic	of words or verbs; forming a word or words
rheme	speech element that expresses an idea
rheology	science of the deformation or flow of matter
rheometer	instrument that measures current
rheophile	living or thriving in running water
rheostat	instrument for measuring electric resistance
rheotaxis	direction of movement by water
rheotropism	change in orientation or location of an organism due to running water
rhetoricaster	petty rhetorician
rheum	watery discharge from eyes and nose
rheumatology	study of rheumatism
rhexis	rupture of a blood-vessel
rhigosis	sensation of cold; ability to feel cold
rhinal	of, like or pertaining to the nose
rhinocerial	very heavy; of or like a rhinoceros
rhinocerotic	of, like or pertaining to the rhinoceros
rhinogenous	deriving from the nose
rhinology	study of the nose
rhinoscope	instrument for examining the nose
rhinotillexomania	compulsive nose picking
rhipidate	fan-shaped
rhizic	of the root of an equation
rhizogenic	producing or growing roots
rhizoid	root-like
rhizome	root-like stalk or stem of a plant
rhizophagous	root-eating
rhizophilous	growing or thriving on or near roots
rhochrematics	science of inventory management and the movement of products
rhodopsin	visual purple
rhomboid	shaped like a parallelogram
rhombos	bull-roarer
rhonchial	of, like or pertaining to snoring
rhonchisonant	making a snorting or snoring noise
rhopalic	having each word one syllable longer than that before
rhopography	painting in still life
rhotacism	excessive or incorrect pronunciation of the letter "r"
rhumb	compass point
rhynchodont	having a toothed beak
rhyparography	genre or still-life pictures of sordid subjects
rhypophagy	eating filth
rhysimeter	instrument for measuring speed of current or watercraft
rhythmometer	instrument for measuring speed of rhythms
rhytidectomy	wrinkle-removing operation
rhyton	drinking cup with hole in the point to drink by
ria	normal drowned valley; long wide creek
riant	laughing; merry
ribibe	an old crone, past the age of sexual attractiveness
rictal	of the gape; of the corner of the mouth
rictus	gaping mouth; orifice
rideau	ridge or mound of earth used for defense
ridel	altar curtain
rident	laughing or smiling radiantly; beaming
ridgeling	half-castrated animal
ridibund	easily moved to laughter
ridotto	social gathering with music and dancing
riem	rawhide thong
rifacimento	recasting of a literary or musical work
riffler	small file with curved ends used in woodworking
rigadoon	lively Baroque period dance
rigescent	becoming numb or stiff
rigidulous	somewhat stiff
rillet	small brook or stream
rillmark	marking produced by water running down a bank or beach
rima	narrow fissure
rimiform	having a long furrow
rimose	full of chinks; covered with cracks
rimple	to wrinkle
rindle	small watercourse
ringent	gaping
rinkomania	obsession with skating
riometer	instrument for measuring absorbed cosmic radio waves
riparian	of or inhabiting a riverbank; a riverside inhabitant
ripienist	supplementary instrumentalist
ripieno	supplementary or reinforcing music
ripple	toothed tool for removing seeds from flax or hemp
risible	laughable
risorgimento	revival; rebirth
risorial	of, like or pertaining to or causing laughter
risus	a laugh; a grin
ritornel	short instrumental prelude or interlude in opera
rittmaster	captain of a troop of horse
rivage	shore; bank
rivel	to shrivel; to shrink
rivulation	irregular marks of colour
rivulose	marked with winding and haphazard lines
riziform	shaped like a grain of rice
roach	curved cut in edge of sail for preventing chafing
roadster	light carriage
roband	piece of yarn used to fasten a sail to a spar
robinet	ancient light cannon
roborant	strengthening drug or tonic
roborate	to strengthen; to corroborate
roborean	strong; like an oak
robur	hard-wooded oak
roc	enormous legendary Arabian bird
rocaille	artificial rockwork or similar ornament
roche	rock or cliff; a rocky height
rochet	surplice-like vestment of a bishop or abbot
rockaway	light four-wheeled carriage with fixed top and open sides
rodenticide	killing of rodents
rodomontade	bluster; boasting; bragging speech
roentgen	unit of x-radiation or gamma radiation
rogation	asking or supplication, especially in an ecclesiastical sense
rogatory	asking for the intervention of a foreign court in examining a witness
rollick	exuberant jollity; to frolic gaily
rolly	truck; trolley
rom	a gypsy man
romage	tumult
romal	handkerchief or headcloth; silk or cotton fabric
rondeau	poem of thirteen lines
rondure	gracefully rounded curvature
rood	cross or crucifix at entrance to church chancel
rood	old unit of land area equal to 1/4 acre
roodge	to push or lift with effort
rookery	state of confusion
roorback	defamatory falsehood published for political effect
roric	dewy
roriferous	producing or bearing dew
rorulent	dew-covered
rosarian	rose-fancier
rosarium	rose garden
roscid	dewy
roseaceous	of the rose family; roselike
roseate	resembling a rose; overly optimistic
rosette	knot or radiating loops of ribbon concentrically arranged
rosin	resin applied to bows for stringed instruments
rosmarine	mythical walrus-like sea animal that feeds on dew
rosorial	rodentine
rostel	small beak or similar outgrowth
rostelliform	shaped like a small beak
rostrum	spike on prow of warship for ramming
rostrum	platform for public speaking; conductor's dais
rota	roster
rotameter	old instrument for measuring length of curved lines
rotameter	instrument consisting of glass tube with free float for measuring liquid flow
rotiferous	bearing rotifers
rotocracy	government by those who control rotten boroughs
rotograph	photograph made by laying negative on sensitive paper
rotula	kneecap
rotundate	rounded off; orbicular
roturier	plebeian
roué	man devoted to life of pleasure; rake
roulade	melodic embellishment sung to one syllable
rounce	handle for moving carriage on hand printing press
rounceval	a large, boisterous woman; a mannish woman; a lesbian
round	dance in a ring
roundel	anything circular; circle; disc; ring-dance
roundelay	song with a refrain
roup	poultry disease
roussette	fruit-bat
rowel	small; spiked wheel on a spur
rowen	second mowing of grass in the same season; aftermath
rowlock	contrivance serving as a fulcrum for an oar
royal	small sail on royal mast just above topgallant sail
rubedinous	ruddy
rubefaction	reddening
rubefy	to redden
rubescent	growing red; blushing
rubican	of a horse, black or red with flecks of white
rubicund	ruddy
rubiginous	rusty-coloured
rubious	ruby red; rusty
rubor	redness of body part due to excess blood
rubricality	ceremony
rubricate	to mark in red; to fix like a ritual
ruche	frill of lace or other material
ruction	disturbance; uproar
ruderal	growing in wasteland or among rubbish
ruelle	space between bed and wall
rufescent	inclining to redness
rufous	reddish or brownish-red
rugate	wrinkled
rugine	surgeon's scraping instrument
rugous	wrinkled; covered with sunken lines
rugulous	having small wrinkles
ruiniform	having the form or appearance of ruins
rulley	flat four-wheeled wagon for carrying goods
rullion	a rawhide shoe
rumbustious	boisterous
rumchunder	fine silk
rumfustian	hot alcoholic drink made from rum and various spices
rummer	large drinking-glass
runagate	fugitive; vagabond
runcation	action of weeding
runcinate	having irregular saw-toothed divisions
rundale	system of holding land in single detached pieces
rundle	rung of a ladder
rundlet	old liquid measure equal to about 15 gallons
runnel	little brook
runology	study of runes
rupellary	rocky
rupestrian	composed of rock; inscribed on rock
rupicaprine	of, like or pertaining to chamoises
rupicoline	rock-dwelling
ruptile	easily breakable
ruridecanal	concerning a rural dean and his jurisdiction
rurigenous	living or born in the country
rushlight	a type of candle dipped in grease
russel	ribbed cotton and wool
russet	reddish brown
russet	coarse homespun cloth
Russophile	one who admires Russia or the Russians
Russophobia	fear of Russia or Russians
rusticate	to send into the country; to banish to rural areas
rusticity	rustic manner; simplicity; rudeness
ruth	pity; remorse; sorrow
rutherford	unit of radioactive decay equal to 1 million disintegrations per second
ruthful	piteous; sorrowful
rutidosis	wrinkling
rutilant	shining; glowing ruddily
rya	colourful Scandinavian knotted-pile rug

Posted in: English Dictionary