Sir W. Scott.
The rest of the apartments are rarely gilded.
Evelyn.
Rare"ness, n. The state or quality of being rare.
And let the rareness the small gift commend.
Dryden.
Rare"ripe` (-rp`), a. [Rare early + ripe. Cf. Rathripe.] Early ripe; ripe before others, or before the usual season.
Rare"ripe`, n. An early ripening fruit, especially a kind of freestone peach.
Rar`i*fi*ca"tion (rr`*f*k"shn), n. See Rarefaction. [R.] Am. Chem. Journal.
Rar"i*ty (rr"*t; 277), n.; pl. Rarities (- tz). [L. raritas: cf. F. rareté. See Rare.] 1. The quality or state of being rare; rareness; thinness; as, the rarity (contrasted with the density) of gases.
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2. That which is rare; an uncommon thing; a thing valued for its scarcity.
I saw three rarities of different kinds, which pleased me more than any other shows in the place.
Addison.
Ras (räs), n. See 2d Reis.
||Ra`sante" (r`zäNt"), a. [F., p. pr. of raser to graze.] (Fort.) Sweeping; grazing; -- applied to a style of fortification in which the command of the works over each other, and over the country, is kept very low, in order that the shot may more effectually sweep or graze the ground before them. H. L. Scott.
Ras"cal (rs"kal), n. [OE. rascaille rabble, probably from an OF. racaille, F. racaille the rabble, rubbish, probably akin to F. racler to scrape, (assumed) LL. rasiculare, rasicare, fr. L. radere, rasum. See Rase, v.]
1. One of the rabble; a low, common sort of person or creature; collectively, the rabble; the common herd; also, a lean, ill-conditioned beast, esp. a deer. [Obs.]
He smote of the people seventy men, and fifty thousand of the rascal.
Wyclif (1 Kings [1 Samuel] vi. 19).
Poor men alone? No, no; the noblest deer hath them [horns] as huge as the rascal.
Shak.
2. A mean, trickish fellow; a base, dishonest person; a rogue; a scoundrel; a trickster.
For I have sense to serve my turn in store,
And he's a rascal who pretends to more.
Dryden.
Ras"cal, a. Of or pertaining to the common herd or common people; low; mean; base. "The rascal many." Spenser. "The rascal people." Shak.
While she called me rascal fiddler.
Shak.
Ras"cal*dom (-dm), n. State of being a rascal; rascality; domain of rascals; rascals, collectively. Emerson.
Ras"cal*ess, n. A female rascal. [Humorous]
Ras*cal"i*ty (rs*kl"*t), n.; pl. Rascalities (- tz).
1. The quality or state of being rascally, or a rascal; mean trickishness or dishonesty; base fraud.
2. The poorer and lower classes of people. [Obs.]
The chief heads of their clans with their several rascalities.
T. Jackson.
Ras*cal"lion (rs*kl"yn), n. [From Rascal.] A low, mean wretch. [Written also rascalion.]
Ras"cal*ly (rs"kal*l), a. Like a rascal; trickish or dishonest; base; worthless; -- often in humorous disparagement, without implication of dishonesty.
Our rascally porter is fallen fast asleep.
Swift.
Rase (rz), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rased (rzd); p. pr. & vb. n. Rasing.] [F. raser, LL. rasare to scrape often, v. freq. fr. L. radere, rasum, to scrape, shave; cf. Skr. rad to scratch, gnaw, L. rodere to gnaw. Cf. Raze, Razee, Razor, Rodent.] 1. To rub along the surface of; to graze. [Obsoles.]
Was he not in the . . . neighborhood to death? and might not the bullet which rased his cheek have gone into his head?
South.
Sometimes his feet rased the surface of the water, and at others the skylight almost flattened his nose.
Beckford.
2. To rub or scratch out; to erase. [Obsoles.]
Except we rase the faculty of memory, root and branch, out of our mind.
Fuller.
3. To level with the ground; to overthrow; to destroy; to raze. [In this sense raze is generally used.]
Till Troy were by their brave hands rased,
They would not turn home.
Chapman.
This word, rase, may be considered as nearly obsolete; graze, erase, and raze, having superseded it.
Rasing iron, a tool for removing old oakum and pitch from the seams of a vessel.
Syn. -- To erase; efface; obliterate; expunge; cancel; level; prostrate; overthrow; subvert; destroy; demolish; ruin.
Rase, v. i. To be leveled with the ground; to fall; to suffer overthrow. [Obs.]
Rase, n. 1. A scratching out, or erasure. [Obs.]
2. A slight wound; a scratch. [Obs.] Hooker.
3. (O. Eng. Law) A way of measuring in which the commodity measured was made even with the top of the measuring vessel by rasing, or striking off, all that was above it. Burrill.
Rash (rsh), v. t. [For arace.] 1. To pull off or pluck violently. [Obs.]
2. To slash; to hack; to cut; to slice. [Obs.]
Rashing off helms and riving plates asunder.
Spenser.
Rash, n. [OF. rasche an eruption, scurf, F. rache; fr. (assumed) LL. rasicare to scratch, fr. L. radere, rasum, to scrape, scratch, shave. See Rase, and cf. Rascal.] (Med.) A fine eruption or efflorescence on the body, with little or no elevation.
Canker rash. See in the Vocabulary. -- Nettle rash. See Urticaria. -- Rose rash. See Roseola. -- Tooth rash. See Red-gum.
Rash, n. [Cf. F. ras short-nap cloth, It. & Sp. raso satin (cf. Rase); or cf. It. rascia serge, G. rasch, probably fr. Arras in France (cf. Arras).] An inferior kind of silk, or mixture of silk and worsted. [Obs.] Donne.
Rash, a. [Compar. Rasher (-r); superl. Rashest.] [Probably of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. & Sw. rask quick, brisk, rash, Icel. röskr vigorous, brave, akin to D. & G. rasch quick, of uncertain origin.] 1. Sudden in action; quick; hasty. [Obs.] "Strong as aconitum or rash gunpowder." Shak.
2. Requiring sudden action; pressing; urgent. [Obs.]
I scarce have leisure to salute you,
My matter is so rash.
Shak.
3. Esp., overhasty in counsel or action; precipitate; resolving or entering on a project or measure without due deliberation and caution; opposed to prudent; said of persons; as, a rash statesman or commander.
4. Uttered or undertaken with too much haste or too little reflection; as, rash words; rash measures.
5. So dry as to fall out of the ear with handling, as corn. [Prov. Eng.] Grose.
Syn. -- Precipitate; headlong; headstrong; foolhardy; hasty; indiscreet; heedless; thoughtless; incautious; careless; inconsiderate; unwary. -- Rash, Adventurous, Foolhardy. A man is adventurous who incurs risk or hazard from a love of the arduous and the bold. A man is rash who does it from the mere impulse of his feelings, without counting the cost. A man is foolhardy who throws himself into danger in disregard or defiance of the consequences.
Was never known a more adventurous knight.
Dryden.
Her rash hand in evil hour
Forth reaching to the fruit, she plucked, she eat.
Milton.
If any yet be so foolhardy
To expose themselves to vain jeopardy;
If they come wounded off, and lame,
No honor 's got by such a maim.
Hudibras.
Rash (rsh), v. t. To prepare with haste. [Obs.] Foxe.
Rash"er (-r), n. [In sense 1, probably fr. rash, a., as being hastily cooked.] 1. A thin slice of bacon.
2. (Zoöl.) A California rockfish (Sebastichthys miniatus).
Rash"ful (-fl), a. Rash; hasty; precipitate. [Obs.]
Rash"ling (-lng), n. A rash person. [Obs.]
Rash"ly, adv. In a rash manner; with precipitation.
He that doth anything rashly, must do it willingly; for he was free to deliberate or not.
L'Estrange.
Rash"ness, n. The quality or state of being rash.
We offend . . . by rashness, which is an affirming or denying, before we have sufficiently informed ourselves.
South.
Syn. -- Temerity; foolhardiness; precipitancy; precipitation; hastiness; indiscretion; heedlessness; inconsideration; carelessness. See Temerity.
||Ras*kol"nik (rs*kl"nk), n. [Russ. raskolenik' schismatic, heretic.] (Eccl.) One of the separatists or dissenters from the established or Greek church in Russia. [Written also rascolnik.]
||Ra*so"res (r*z"rz), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. radere, rasum, to scratch. See Rase, v. t.] (Zoöl.) An order of birds; the Gallinæ.
Formerly, the word Rasores was used in a wider sense, so as to include other birds now widely separated in classification.
Ra*so"ri*al (-r*al; 277), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Rasores, or gallinaceous birds, as the peacock, domestic fowl, partridge, quail, and the like.
Ra"sour (rä"sr), n. Razor. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Rasp (rsp), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rasped (rspt); p. pr. & vb. n. Rasping.] [OF. rasper, F. râper, to scrape, grate, rasp, fr. OHG. raspn to scrape together, to collect, probably akin to E. rap. Cf. Rap to snatch.]
1. To rub or file with a rasp; to rub or grate with a rough file; as, to rasp wood to make it smooth; to rasp bones to powder.
2. Hence, figuratively: To grate harshly upon; to offend by coarse or rough treatment or language; as, some sounds rasp the ear; his insults rasped my temper.
Rasp, n. [OE. raspe, OF. raspe, F. râpe. See Rasp, v.]
1. A coarse file, on which the cutting prominences are distinct points raised by the oblique stroke of a sharp punch, instead of lines raised by a chisel, as on the true file.
2. The raspberry. [Obs.] "Set sorrel amongst rasps, and the rasps will be the smaller." Bacon.
Rasp palm (Bot.), a Brazilian palm tree (Iriartea exorhiza) which has strong aërial roots like a screw pine. The roots have a hard, rough surface, and are used by the natives for graters and rasps, whence the common name.
||Ras`pa*to"ri*um (rs`p*t"r*m), n. [LL.] See Raspatory.
Rasp"a*to*ry (rsp"*t*r), n. [LL. raspatorium: cf. F. raspatoir. See Rasp, v.] A surgeon's rasp. Wiseman.
Rasp"ber*ry (rz"br*r; 277), n. [From E. rasp, in allusion to the apparent roughness of the fruit.] (Bot.) (a) The thimble-shaped fruit of the Rubus Idæus and other similar brambles; as, the black, the red, and the white raspberry. (b) The shrub bearing this fruit.
Technically, raspberries are those brambles in which the fruit separates readily from the core or receptacle, in this differing from the blackberries, in which the fruit is firmly attached to the receptacle.
Rasp"er (rsp"r), n. One who, or that which, rasps; a scraper.
Ras"pis (rs"ps), n. The raspberry. [Obs.] Langham.
Rasp"y (rsp"), a. Like a rasp, or the sound made by a rasp; grating. R. D. Blackmore.
Rasse (rs), n. [Cf. Malay rsa taste, sensation.] (Zoöl.) A carnivore (Viverricula Mallaccensis) allied to the civet but smaller, native of China and the East Indies. It furnishes a perfume resembling that of the civet, which is highly prized by the Javanese. Called also Malacca weasel, and lesser civet.
Ra"sure (r"zhr; 135), n. [L. rasura, fr. radere, rasum, to scrape, to shave. See Rase, v.] 1. The act of rasing, scraping, or erasing; erasure; obliteration.
2. A mark by which a letter, word, or any part of a writing or print, is erased, effaced, or obliterated; an erasure. Ayliffe.
Rat (rt), n. [AS. ræt; akin to D. rat, OHG. rato, ratta, G. ratte, ratze, OLG. ratta, LG. & Dan. rotte, Sw. råtta, F. rat, Ir. & Gael. radan, Armor. raz, of unknown origin. Cf. Raccoon.] 1. (Zoöl.) One of several species of small rodents of the genus Mus and allied genera, larger than mice, that infest houses, stores, and ships, especially the Norway, or brown, rat (M. decumanus), the black rat (M. rattus), and the roof rat (M. Alexandrinus). These were introduced into America from the Old World.
2. A round and tapering mass of hair, or similar material, used by women to support the puffs and rolls of their natural hair. [Local, U.S.]
3. One who deserts his party or associates; hence, in the trades, one who works for lower wages than those prescribed by a trades union. [Cant]
"It so chanced that, not long after the accession of the house of Hanover, some of the brown, that is, the German or Norway, rats, were first brought over to this country (in some timber as is said); and being much stronger than the black, or, till then, the common, rats, they in many places quite extirpated the latter. The word (both the noun and the verb to rat) was first, as we have seen, leveled at the converts to the government of George the First, but has by degrees obtained a wider meaning, and come to be applied to any sudden and mercenary change in politics." Lord Mahon.
Bamboo rat (Zoöl.), any Indian rodent of the genus Rhizomys. -- Beaver rat, Coast rat. (Zoöl.) See under Beaver, and Coast. -- Blind rat (Zoöl.), the mole rat. -- Cotton rat (Zoöl.), a long-haired rat (Sigmodon hispidus), native of the Southern United States and Mexico. It makes its nest of cotton and is often injurious to the crop. -- Ground rat. See Ground Pig, under Ground. -- Hedgehog rat. See under Hedgehog. -- Kangaroo rat (Zoöl.), the potoroo. -- Norway rat (Zoöl.), the common brown rat. See Rat. -- Pouched rat. (Zoöl.) (a) See Pocket Gopher, under Pocket. (b) Any African rodent of the genus Cricetomys. -- Rat Indians (Ethnol.), a tribe of Indians dwelling near Fort Ukon, Alaska. They belong to the Athabascan stock. -- Rat mole. (Zoöl.) See Mole rat, under Mole. -- Rat pit, an inclosed space into which rats are put to be killed by a dog for sport. -- Rat snake (Zoöl.), a large colubrine snake (Ptyas mucosus) very common in India and Ceylon. It enters dwellings, and destroys rats, chickens, etc. -- Spiny rat (Zoöl.), any South American rodent of the genus Echinomys. -- To smell a rat. See under Smell. -- Wood rat (Zoöl.), any American rat of the genus Neotoma, especially N. Floridana, common in the Southern United States. Its feet and belly are white.
Rat, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ratted; p. pr. & vb. n. Ratting.] 1. In English politics, to desert one's party from interested motives; to forsake one's associates for one's own advantage; in the trades, to work for less wages, or on other conditions, than those established by a trades union.
Coleridge . . . incurred the reproach of having ratted, solely by his inability to follow the friends of his early days.
De Quincey.
2. To catch or kill rats.
Ra"ta (rä"t), n. [Maori.] (Bot.) A New Zealand forest tree (Metrosideros robusta), also, its hard dark red wood, used by the Maoris for paddles and war clubs.
Rat`a*bil"i*ty (rt`*bl"*t), n. The quality or state of being ratable.
Rat"a*ble (rt"*b'l), a. 1. Capable of being rated, or set at a certain value.
Twenty oræ were ratable to [at] two marks of silver.
Camden.
2. Liable to, or subjected by law to, taxation; as, ratable estate.
3. Made at a proportionate rate; as, ratable payments. -- Rat"a*ble*ness, n. -- Rat"a*bly, adv.
Rat`a*fi"a (rt`*f"), n. [F., fr. Malay arak arrack + tfa a spirit distilled from molasses.] A spirituous liquor flavored with the kernels of cherries, apricots, peaches, or other fruit, spiced, and sweetened with sugar; -- a term applied to the liqueurs called noyau, curaçao, etc. [Written also ratifia and ratafee.]
Ra*tan" (r*tn"), n. See Rattan.
Rat"a*ny (rt"*n), n. (Bot.) Same as Rhatany.
||Ra`ta`plan" (r`t`pläN"), n. [F.] The iterative sound of beating a drum, or of a galloping horse.
Ratch (rch), n. (Zoöl.) Same as Rotche.
Ratch (rch), n. [See Rack the instrument, Ratchet.] A ratchet wheel, or notched bar, with which a pawl or click works.
Ratch"el (-l), n. Gravelly stone. [Prov. Eng.]
Ratch"et (-t), n. [Properly a diminutive from the same word as rack: cf. F. rochet. See 2d Ratch, Rack the instrument.] 1. A pawl, click, or detent, for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc.
2. A mechanism composed of a ratchet wheel, or ratch, and pawl. See Ratchet wheel, below, and 2d Ratch.
Ratchet brace (Mech.), a boring brace, having a ratchet wheel and pawl for rotating the tool by back and forth movements of the brace handle. -- Ratchet drill, a portable machine for working a drill by hand, consisting of a hand lever carrying at one end a drill holder which is revolved by means of a ratchet wheel and pawl, by swinging the lever back and forth. -- Ratchet wheel (Mach.), a circular wheel having teeth, usually angular, with which a reciprocating pawl engages to turn the wheel forward, or a stationary pawl to hold it from turning backward.
In the cut, the moving pawl c slides over the teeth in one direction, but in returning, draws the wheel with it, while the pawl d prevents it from turning in the contrary direction.
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Rate (rt), v. t. & i. [Perh. fr. E. rate, v. t., to value at a certain rate, to estimate, but more prob. fr. Sw. rata to find fault, to blame, to despise, to hold cheap; cf. Icel. hrat refuse, hrati rubbish.] To chide with vehemence; to scold; to censure violently. Spenser.
Go, rate thy minions, proud, insulting boy!
Shak.
Conscience is a check to beginners in sin, reclaiming them from it, and rating them for it.
Barrow.
Rate, n. [OF., fr. L. rata (sc. pars), fr. ratus reckoned, fixed by calculation, p. p. of reri to reckon, to calculate. Cf. Reason.] 1. Established portion or measure; fixed allowance.
The one right feeble through the evil rate
Of food which in her duress she had found.
Spenser.
2. That which is established as a measure or criterion; degree; standard; rank; proportion; ratio; as, a slow rate of movement; rate of interest is the ratio of the interest to the principal, per annum.
Heretofore the rate and standard of wit was different from what it is nowadays.
South.
In this did his holiness and godliness appear above the rate and pitch of other men's, in that he was so . . . merciful.
Calamy.
Many of the horse could not march at that rate, nor come up soon enough.
Clarendon.
3. Valuation; price fixed with relation to a standard; cost; charge; as, high or low rates of transportation.
They come at dear rates from Japan.
Locke.
4. A tax or sum assessed by authority on property for public use, according to its income or value; esp., in England, a local tax; as, parish rates; town rates.
5. Order; arrangement. [Obs.]
Thus sat they all around in seemly rate.
Spenser.
6. Ratification; approval. [R.] Chapman.
7. (Horol.) The gain or loss of a timepiece in a unit of time; as, daily rate; hourly rate; etc.
8. (Naut.) (a) The order or class to which a war vessel belongs, determined according to its size, armament, etc.; as, first rate, second rate, etc. (b) The class of a merchant vessel for marine insurance, determined by its relative safety as a risk, as A1, A2, etc.
Rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rated; p. pr. & vb. n. Rating.] 1. To set a certain estimate on; to value at a certain price or degree.
To rate a man by the nature of his companions is a rule frequent indeed, but not infallible.
South.
You seem not high enough your joys to rate.
Dryden.
2. To assess for the payment of a rate or tax.
3. To settle the relative scale, rank, position, amount, value, or quality of; as, to rate a ship; to rate a seaman; to rate a pension.
4. To ratify. [Obs.] "To rate the truce." Chapman.
To rate a chronometer, to ascertain the exact rate of its gain or loss as compared with true time, so as to make an allowance or computation dependent thereon.
Syn. -- To value; appraise; estimate; reckon.
Rate, v. i. 1. To be set or considered in a class; to have rank; as, the ship rates as a ship of the line.
2. To make an estimate.
Rate"a*ble (-*b'l), a. See Ratable.
Ra"tel (r"tl), n. [F.] (Zoöl.) Any carnivore of the genus Mellivora, allied to the weasels and the skunks; -- called also honey badger.
Several species are known in Africa and India. The Cape ratel (M. Capensis) and the Indian ratel (M. Indica) are the best known. The back is gray; the lower parts, face, and tail are black. They are fond of honey, and rob the nests of wild bees.
Rate"pay`er (-p`r), n. One who pays rates or taxes.
Rat"er (rt"r), n. One who rates or estimates.
Rat"er, n. One who rates or scolds.
Rat"fish` (rt"fsh`), n. (Zoöl.) Same as Rat-tail.
Rath (rth), n. [Ir. rath.] 1. A hill or mound. [Ireland] Spenser.
2. A kind of ancient fortification found in Ireland.
{ Rath, Rathe } (rth), a. [AS. hræð, hræd, quick, akin to OHG. hrad, Icel. hraðr.] Coming before others, or before the usual time; early. [Obs. or Poetic]
Bring the rathe primrose that forsaken dies.
Milton.
{ Rath, Rathe, } adv. Early; soon; betimes. [Obs. or Poetic]
Why rise ye up so rathe?
Chaucer.
Too rathe cut off by practice criminal.
Spenser.
Rath"er (r"r), a. [Compar. of Rath, a.] Prior; earlier; former. [Obs.]
Now no man dwelleth at the rather town.
Sir J. Mandeville.
Rath"er (r"r; 277), adv. [AS. hraðor, compar. of hraðe, hræðe, quickly, immediately. See Rath, a.]
1. Earlier; sooner; before. [Obs.]
Thou shalt, quod he, be rather false than I.
Chaucer.
A good mean to come the rather to grace.
Foxe.
2. More readily or willingly; preferably.
My soul chooseth . . . death rather than my life.
Job vii. 15.
3. On the other hand; to the contrary of what was said or suggested; instead.
Was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse.
Mark v. 26.
4. Of two alternatives conceived of, this by preference to, or as more likely than, the other; somewhat.
He sought throughout the world, but sought in vain,
And nowhere finding, rather feared her slain.
Dryden.
5. More properly; more correctly speaking.
This is an art
Which does mend nature, change it rather, but
The art itself is nature.
Shak.
6. In some degree; somewhat; as, the day is rather warm; the house is rather damp.
The rather, the more so; especially; for better reason; for particular cause.
You are come to me in happy time,
The rather for I have some sport in hand.
Shak.
-- Had rather, or Would rather, prefer to; prefers to; as, he had, or would, rather go than stay. "I had rather speak five words with my understanding than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue." 1 Cor. xiv. 19. See Had rather, under Had.
Rath"ripe` (rth"rp`), a. Rareripe, or early ripe. -- n. A rareripe. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Such who delight in rathripe fruits.
Fuller.
Rat`i*fi*ca"tion (rt`*f*k"shn), n. [Cf. F. ratification.] The act of ratifying; the state of being ratified; confirmation; sanction; as, the ratification of a treaty.
Rat"i*fi`er (rt"*f`r), n. One who, or that which, ratifies; a confirmer. Shak.
Rat"i*fy (-f), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ratified (-fd); p. pr. & vb. n. Ratifying (- f`ng).] [F. ratifier, fr. L. ratus fixed by calculation, firm, valid + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Rate, n., and -fy.] To approve and sanction; to make valid; to confirm; to establish; to settle; especially, to give sanction to, as something done by an agent or servant; as, to ratify an agreement, treaty, or contract; to ratify a nomination.
It is impossible for the divine power to set a seal to a lie by ratifying an imposture with such a miracle.
South.
Rat`i*ha*bi"tion (-h*bsh"n), n. [L. ratihabitio; ratus fixed, valid + habere to hold.] Confirmation or approbation, as of an act or contract. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
Ra"ti*o (r"sh* or r"sh), n. [L., fr. reri, ratus, to reckon, believe, think, judge. See Reason.] 1. (Math.) The relation which one quantity or magnitude has to another of the same kind. It is expressed by the quotient of the division of the first by the second; thus, the ratio of 3 to 6 is expressed by or ½; of a to b by a/b; or (less commonly) the second term is made the dividend; as, a:b = b/a.
Some writers consider ratio as the quotient itself, making ratio equivalent to a number.
The term ratio is also sometimes applied to the difference of two quantities as well as to their quotient, in which case the former is called arithmetical ratio, the latter, geometrical ratio. The name ratio is sometimes given to the rule of three in arithmetic. See under Rule.
2. Hence, fixed relation of number, quantity, or degree; rate; proportion; as, the ratio of representation in Congress.
Compound ratio, Duplicate ratio, Inverse ratio, etc. See under Compound, Duplicate, etc. -- Ratio of a geometrical progression, the constant quantity by which each term is multiplied to produce the succeeding one.
Ra`ti*oc"i*nate (rsh`*s"*nt), v. i. [L. ratiocinatus, p. p. of ratiocinari, fr. ratio reason. See Ratio.] To reason, esp. deductively; to offer reason or argument.
Ra`ti*oc`i*na"tion (-n"shn), n. [L. ratiocinatio: cf. F. ratiocination.] The process of reasoning, or deducing conclusions from premises; deductive reasoning.
Ra`ti*oc"i*na*tive (- s"*n*tv), a. [L. ratiocinativus.] Characterized by, or addicted to, ratiocination; consisting in the comparison of propositions or facts, and the deduction of inferences from the comparison; argumentative; as, a ratiocinative process.
The ratiocinative meditativeness of his character.
Coleridge.
Ra`ti*oc"i*na*to*ry (-n*t*r), a. Ratiocinative. [R.]
Ra"tion (r"shn or rsh"n), n. [F., fr. L. ratio a reckoning, calculation, relation, reference, LL. ratio ration. See Ratio.] 1. A fixed daily allowance of provisions assigned to a soldier in the army, or a sailor in the navy, for his subsistence.
Officers have several rations, the number varying according to their rank or the number of their attendants.
2. Hence, a certain portion or fixed amount dealt out; an allowance; an allotment.
Ra"tion, v. t. To supply with rations, as a regiment.
Ra"tion*al (rsh"n*al), a. [L. rationalis: cf. F. rationnel. See Ratio, Reason, and cf. Rationale.] 1. Relating to the reason; not physical; mental.
Moral philosophy was his chiefest end; for the rational, the natural, and mathematics . . . were but simple pastimes in comparison of the other.
Sir T. North.
2. Having reason, or the faculty of reasoning; endowed with reason or understanding; reasoning.
It is our glory and happiness to have a rational nature.
Law.
3. Agreeable to reason; not absurd, preposterous, extravagant, foolish, fanciful, or the like; wise; judicious; as, rational conduct; a rational man.
4. (Chem.) Expressing the type, structure, relations, and reactions of a compound; graphic; -- said of formulæ. See under Formula.
Rational horizon. (Astron.) See Horizon, 2 (b). -- Rational quantity (Alg.), one that can be expressed without the use of a radical sign, or in exact parts of unity; -- opposed to irrational or radical quantity. -- Rational symptom (Med.), one elicited by the statements of the patient himself and not as the result of a physical examination.
Syn. -- Sane; sound; intelligent; reasonable; sensible; wise; discreet; judicious. -- Rational, Reasonable. Rational has reference to reason as a faculty of the mind, and is opposed to irrational; as, a rational being, a rational state of mind, rational views, etc. In these cases the speculative reason is more particularly referred to. Reasonable has reference to the exercise of this faculty for practical purposes, and means, governed or directed by reason; as, reasonable desires or plans; a reasonable charge; a reasonable prospect of success.
What higher in her society thou find'st
Attractive, human, rational, love still.
Milton.
A law may be reasonable in itself, although a man does not allow it, or does not know the reason of the lawgivers.
Swift.
Ra"tion*al, n. A rational being. Young.
Ra`tion*a"le (rsh`n*"l), n. [L. rationalis, neut. rationale. See Rational, a.] An explanation or exposition of the principles of some opinion, action, hypothesis, phenomenon, or the like; also, the principles themselves.
Ra"tion*al*ism (rsh"n*al*z'm), n. [Cf. F. rationalisme.] 1. (Theol.) The doctrine or system of those who deduce their religious opinions from reason or the understanding, as distinct from, or opposed to, revelation.
2. (Philos.) The system that makes rational power the ultimate test of truth; -- opposed to sensualism, or sensationalism, and empiricism. Fleming.
Ra"tion*al*ist, n. [Cf. F. rationaliste.] One who accepts rationalism as a theory or system; also, disparagingly, a false reasoner. See Citation under Reasonist.
{ Ra`tion*al*is"tic (-s"tk), Ra`tion*al*is"tic*al (-t*kal), } a. Belonging to, or in accordance with, the principles of rationalism. -- Ra`tion*al*is"tic*al*ly, adv.
Ra`tion*al"i*ty (-l"*t; 277), n.; pl. -ties (- tz). [F. rationalité, or L. rationalitas.] The quality or state of being rational; agreement with reason; possession of reason; due exercise of reason; reasonableness.
When God has made rationality the common portion of mankind, how came it to be thy inclosure?
Gov. of Tongue.
Well-directed intentions, whose rationalities will never bear a rigid examination.
Sir T. Browne.
Ra`tion*al*i*za"tion (rsh`n*al**z"shn), n. The act or process of rationalizing.
Ra"tion*al*ize (rsh"n*al*z), v. t. 1. To make rational; also, to convert to rationalism.
2. To interpret in the manner of a rationalist.
3. To form a rational conception of.
4. (Alg.) To render rational; to free from radical signs or quantities.
Ra"tion*al*ize, v. i. To use, and rely on, reason in forming a theory, belief, etc., especially in matters of religion: to accord with the principles of rationalism.
Theodore . . . is justly considered the chief rationalizing doctor of antiquity.
J. H. Newman.
Ra"tion*al*ly, adv. In a rational manner.
Ra"tion*al*ness, n. The quality or state of being rational; rationality.
||Ra*ti"tæ (r*t"t), n. pl. [NL., fr. L. ratis a raft; cf. L. ratitus marked with the figure of a raft.] (Zoöl.) An order of birds in which the wings are small, rudimentary, or absent, and the breastbone is destitute of a keel. The ostrich, emu, moa, and apteryx are examples.
Rat"i*tate (rt"*tt), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Ratitæ.
Rat"ite (rt"t), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Ratitæ. - - n. One of the Ratitæ.
{ Rat"lines, Rat"lins } (rt"lnz), n. pl. [Of uncertain origin.] (Naut.) The small transverse ropes attached to the shrouds and forming the steps of a rope ladder. [Written also ratlings, and rattlings.] Totten.
Rat"on (rt"n), n. [Cf. Raccoon.] A small rat. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.
Ra*toon" (r*tn"), n. 1. Same as Rattoon, n.
2. A rattan cane. [Obs.] Pepys.
Ra*toon", v. i. Same as Rattoon, v. i.
Rats"bane` (rts"bn`), n. [Rat + bane.] Rat poison; white arsenic.
Rats"baned` (-bnd`), a. Poisoned by ratsbane.
Rat"-tail` (rt"tl`), a. Like a rat's tail in form; as, a rat-tail file, which is round, slender, and tapering. See Illust. of File.
Rat"-tail`, n. 1. (Far.) pl. An excrescence growing from the pastern to the middle of the shank of a horse.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) The California chimæra. See Chimæra. (b) Any fish of the genus Macrurus. See Grenadier, 2.
Rat"-tailed` (-tld`), a. (Zoöl.) Having a long, tapering tail like that of a rat.
Rat-tailed larva (Zoöl.), the larva of a fly of the genus Eristalis. See Eristalis. -- Rat-tailed serpent (Zoöl.), the fer- de-lance. -- Rat-tailed shrew (Zoöl.), the musk shrew.
Rat*tan" (rt*tn"), n. [Malay rtan.] [Written also ratan.] (Bot.) One of the long slender flexible stems of several species of palms of the genus Calamus, mostly East Indian, though some are African and Australian. They are exceedingly tough, and are used for walking sticks, wickerwork, chairs and seats of chairs, cords and cordage, and many other purposes.
Rat*teen" (-tn"), n. [F. ratine.] A thick woolen stuff quilled or twilled.
Rat"ten (rt"t'n), v. t. [Prov. E. ratten a rat, hence the verb literally means, to do mischief like a rat.] To deprive feloniously of the tools used in one's employment (as by breaking or stealing them), for the purpose of annoying; as, to ratten a mechanic who works during a strike. [Trades-union Cant] J. McCarthy.
Rat"ter (-tr), n. 1. One who, or that which, rats, as one who deserts his party.
2. Anything which catches rats; esp., a dog trained to catch rats; a rat terrier. See Terrier.
Rat`ti*net" (-t*nt"), n. A woolen stuff thinner than ratteen.
Rat"ting (rt"tng), n. 1. The conduct or practices of one who rats. See Rat, v. i., 1. Sydney Smith.
2. The low sport of setting a dog upon rats confined in a pit to see how many he will kill in a given time.
Rat"tle (-t'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Rattled (-t'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Rattling (-tlng).] [Akin to D. ratelen, G. rasseln, AS. hrætele a rattle, in hrætelwyrt rattlewort; cf. Gr. kradai`nein to swing, wave. Cf. Rail a bird.] 1. To make a quick succession of sharp, inharmonious noises, as by the collision of hard and not very sonorous bodies shaken together; to clatter.
And the rude hail in rattling tempest forms.
Addison.
'T was but the wind,
Or the car rattling o'er the stony street.
Byron.
<! p. 1192 pr=vmg !>
2. To drive or ride briskly, so as to make a clattering; as, we rattled along for a couple of miles. [Colloq.]
3. To make a clatter with the voice; to talk rapidly and idly; to clatter; -- with on or away; as, she rattled on for an hour. [Colloq.]
Rat"tle (rt"t'l), v. t. 1. To cause to make a rattling or clattering sound; as, to rattle a chain.
2. To assail, annoy, or stun with a rattling noise.
Sound but another [drum], and another shall
As loud as thine rattle the welkin's ear.
Shak.
3. Hence, to disconcert; to confuse; as, to rattle one's judgment; to rattle a player in a game. [Colloq.]
4. To scold; to rail at. L'Estrange.
To rattle off. (a) To tell glibly or noisily; as, to rattle off a story. (b) To rail at; to scold. "She would sometimes rattle off her servants sharply." Arbuthnot.
Rat"tle, n. 1. A rapid succession of sharp, clattering sounds; as, the rattle of a drum. Prior.
2. Noisy, rapid talk.
All this ado about the golden age is but an empty rattle and frivolous conceit.
Hakewill.
3. An instrument with which a rattling sound is made; especially, a child's toy that rattles when shaken.
The rattles of Isis and the cymbals of Brasilea nearly enough resemble each other.
Sir W. Raleigh.
Pleased with a rattle, tickled with a straw.
Pope.
4. A noisy, senseless talker; a jabberer.
It may seem strange that a man who wrote with so much perspicuity, vivacity, and grace, should have been, whenever he took a part in conversation, an empty, noisy, blundering rattle.
Macaulay.
5. A scolding; a sharp rebuke. [Obs.] Heylin.
6. (Zoöl.) Any organ of an animal having a structure adapted to produce a rattling sound.
The rattle of a rattlesnake is composed of the hardened terminal scales, loosened in succession, but not cast off, and so modified in form as to make a series of loose, hollow joints.
7. The noise in the throat produced by the air in passing through mucus which the lungs are unable to expel; -- chiefly observable at the approach of death, when it is called the death rattle. See Râle.
To spring a rattle, to cause it to sound. -- Yellow rattle (Bot.), a yellow-flowered herb (Rhinanthus Crista-galli), the ripe seeds of which rattle in the inflated calyx.
Rat"tle*box` (-bks`), n. 1. A toy that makes a rattling sound; a rattle.
2. (Bot.) (a) An American herb (Crotalaria sagittalis), the seeds of which, when ripe, rattle in the inflated pod. (b) Any species of Crotalaria, a genus of yellow-flowered herbs, with inflated, many-seeded pods.
Rat"tle-brained` (-brnd`), a. Giddy; rattle-headed.
Rat"tle*head` (-hd`), n. An empty, noisy talker.
Rat"tle-head`ed, a. Noisy; giddy; unsteady.
Rat"tle*mouse` (-mous`), n. A bat. [Obs.] Puttenham.
Rat"tle*pate` (-pt`), n. A rattlehead. C. Kingsley.
Rat"tle-pat`ed, a. Rattle- headed. "A noisy, rattle-pated fellow." W. Irving.
Rat"tler (-tlr), n. One who, or that which, rattles.
Rat"tle*snake` (rt"t'l*snk`), n. (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of venomous American snakes belonging to the genera Crotalus and Caudisona, or Sistrurus. They have a series of horny interlocking joints at the end of the tail which make a sharp rattling sound when shaken. The common rattlesnake of the Northern United States (Crotalus horridus), and the diamond rattlesnake of the South (C. adamanteus), are the best known. See Illust. of Fang.
Ground rattlesnake (Zoöl.), a small rattlesnake (Caudisona, or Sistrurus, miliaria) of the Southern United States, having a small rattle. It has nine large scales on its head. -- Rattlesnake fern (Bot.), a common American fern (Botrychium Virginianum) having a triangular decompound frond and a long- stalked panicle of spore cases rising from the middle of the frond. -- Rattlesnake grass (Bot.), a handsome American grass (Glyceria Canadensis) with an ample panicle of rather large ovate spikelets, each one composed of imbricated parts and slightly resembling the rattle of the rattlesnake. Sometimes called quaking grass. -- Rattlesnake plantain. (Bot.) See under Plantain. -- Rattlesnake root (Bot.), a name given to certain American species of the composite genus Prenanthes (P. alba and P. serpentaria), formerly asserted to cure the bite of the rattlesnake. Called also lion's foot, gall of the earth, and white lettuce. -- Rattlesnake's master. (Bot.) (a) A species of Agave (Agave Virginica) growing in the Southern United States. (b) An umbelliferous plant (Eryngium yuccæfolium) with large bristly-fringed linear leaves. (c) A composite plant, the blazing star (Liatris squarrosa). -- Rattlesnake weed (Bot.), a plant of the composite genus Hieracium (H. venosum); -- probably so named from its spotted leaves. See also Snakeroot.
Rat"tle*trap` (-trp`), n. Any machine or vehicle that does not run smoothly. [Colloq.] A. Trollope.
Rat"tle*weed` (-wd`), n. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Astragalus. See Milk vetch.
Rat"tle*wings` (-wngz`), n. (Zoöl.) The golden-eye.
Rat"tle*wort` (-wûrt`), n. [AS. hrætelwyrt.] (Bot.) Same as Rattlebox.
Rat"tlings (rt"tlngz), n. pl. (Naut.) Ratlines.
Rat*toon" (rt*tn"), n. [Sp. retoño.] One of the stems or shoots of sugar cane of the second year's growth from the root, or later. See Plant-cane.
Rat*toon", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Rattooned (-tnd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Rattooning.] [Cf. Sp. retoñar.] To sprout or spring up from the root, as sugar cane from the root of the previous year's planting.
Rau"cid (r"sd), a. [L. raucus hoarse; cf. LL. raucidus.] Hoarse; raucous. [R.] Lamb.
Rau"ci*ty (r"s*t), n. [L. raucitas, from raucus hoarse: cf. F. raucité.] Harshness of sound; rough utterance; hoarseness; as, the raucity of a trumpet, or of the human voice.
Rau"cous (r"ks), a. [L. raucus.] Hoarse; harsh; rough; as, a raucous, thick tone. "His voice slightly raucous." Aytoun. -- Rau"cous*ly, adv.
Raught (rt), obs. imp. & p. p. of Reach. Shak.
Raught, obs. imp. & p. p. of Reck. Chaucer.
Raunch (rnch), v. t. See Ranch. Spenser.
Raun*soun" (rn*sn"), n. Ransom. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Rav"age (rv"j; 48), n. [F., fr. (assumed) L. rapagium, rapaticum, fr. rapere to carry off by force, to ravish. See Rapacious, Ravish.] Desolation by violence; violent ruin or destruction; devastation; havoc; waste; as, the ravage of a lion; the ravages of fire or tempest; the ravages of an army, or of time.
Would one think 't were possible for love
To make such ravage in a noble soul?
Addison.
Syn. -- Despoilment; devastation; desolation; pillage; plunder; spoil; waste; ruin.
Rav"age, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ravaged (-jd); p. pr. & vb. n. Ravaging (-*jng).] [F. ravager. See Ravage, n.] To lay waste by force; to desolate by violence; to commit havoc or devastation upon; to spoil; to plunder; to consume.
Already Cæsar
Has ravaged more than half the globe.
Addison.
His lands were daily ravaged, his cattle driven away.
Macaulay.
Syn. -- To despoil; pillage; plunder; sack; spoil; devastate; desolate; destroy; waste; ruin.
Rav"a*ger (-*jr), n. One who, or that which, ravages or lays waste; spoiler.
Rave (rv), obs. imp. of Rive.
Rave, n. [Prov. E. raves, or rathes, a frame laid on a wagon, for carrying hay, etc.] One of the upper side pieces of the frame of a wagon body or a sleigh.
Rave (rv), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Raved (rvd); p. pr. & vb. n. Raving.] [F. rêver to rave, to be delirious, to dream; perhaps fr. L. rabere to rave, rage, be mad or furious. Cf. Rage, Reverie.] 1. To wander in mind or intellect; to be delirious; to talk or act irrationally; to be wild, furious, or raging, as a madman.
In our madness evermore we rave.
Chaucer.
Have I not cause to rave and beat my breast?
Addison.
The mingled torrent of redcoats and tartans went raving down the valley to the gorge of Killiecrankie.
Macaulay.
2. To rush wildly or furiously. Spenser.
3. To talk with unreasonable enthusiasm or excessive passion or excitement; -- followed by about, of, or on; as, he raved about her beauty.
The hallowed scene
Which others rave of, though they know it not.
Byron.
Rave, v. t. To utter in madness or frenzy; to say wildly; as, to rave nonsense. Young.
Rave"hook (rv"hk), n. (Shipbuilding) A tool, hooked at the end, for enlarging or clearing seams for the reception of oakum.
Rav"el (rv"'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Raveled (-'ld) or Ravelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Raveling or Ravelling.] [OD. ravelen, D. rafelen, akin to LG. rebeln, rebbeln, reffeln.] 1. To separate or undo the texture of; to take apart; to untwist; to unweave or unknit; -- often followed by out; as, to ravel a twist; to ravel out a stocking.
Sleep, that knits up the raveled sleave of care.
Shak.
2. To undo the intricacies of; to disentangle.
3. To pull apart, as the threads of a texture, and let them fall into a tangled mass; hence, to entangle; to make intricate; to involve.
What glory 's due to him that could divide
Such raveled interests? has the knot untied?
Waller.
The faith of very many men seems a duty so weak and indifferent, is so often untwisted by violence, or raveled and entangled in weak discourses!
Jer. Taylor.
Rav"el, v. i. 1. To become untwisted or unwoven; to be disentangled; to be relieved of intricacy.
2. To fall into perplexity and confusion. [Obs.]
Till, by their own perplexities involved,
They ravel more, still less resolved.
Milton.
3. To make investigation or search, as by picking out the threads of a woven pattern. [Obs.]
The humor of raveling into all these mystical or entangled matters.
Sir W. Temple.
Rav"el*er (-r), n. [Also raveller.] One who ravels.
Rave"lin (rv"ln; 277), n. [F.; cf. Sp. rebellin, It. revellino, rivellino; perhaps fr. L. re- again + vallum wall.] (Fort.) A detached work with two embankments which make a salient angle. It is raised before the curtain on the counterscarp of the place. Formerly called demilune, and half-moon.
Rav"el*ing (rv"'l*ng), n. [Also ravelling.] 1. The act of untwisting or of disentangling.
2. That which is raveled out; esp., a thread detached from a texture.
Ra"ven (r"v'n), n. [AS. hræfn; akin to D. raaf, G. rabe, OHG. hraban, Icel. hrafn, Dan. ravn, and perhaps to L. corvus, Gr. ko`rax. √19.] (Zoöl.) A large black passerine bird (Corvus corax), similar to the crow, but larger. It is native of the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America, and is noted for its sagacity.
Sea raven (Zoöl.), the cormorant.
Ra"ven, a. Of the color of the raven; jet black; as, raven curls; raven darkness.
Rav"en (rv"'n), n. [OF. raviné impetuosity, violence, F. ravine ravine. See Ravine, Rapine.] [Written also ravin, and ravine.] 1. Rapine; rapacity. Ray.
2. Prey; plunder; food obtained by violence.
Rav"en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ravened (-'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Ravening.] [Written also ravin, and ravine.]
1. To obtain or seize by violence. Hakewill.
2. To devour with great eagerness.
Like rats that ravin down their proper bane.
Shak.
Rav"en, v. i. To prey with rapacity; to be greedy; to show rapacity. [Written also ravin, and ravine.]
Benjamin shall raven as a wolf.
Gen. xlix. 27.
||Rav`e*na"la (rv`*nä"l), n. [Malagasy.] (Bot.) A genus of plants related to the banana.
Ravenala Madagascariensis, the principal species, is an unbranched tree with immense oarlike leaves growing alternately from two sides of the stem. The sheathing bases of the leafstalks collect and retain rain water, which flows freely when they are pierced with a knife, whence the plant is called traveler's tree.
Rav"en*er (rv"'n*r), n. 1. One who, or that which, ravens or plunders. Gower.
2. A bird of prey, as the owl or vulture. [Obs.] Holland.
Rav"en*ing, n. Eagerness for plunder; rapacity; extortion. Luke xi. 39.
Rav"en*ing, a. Greedily devouring; rapacious; as, ravening wolves. -- Rav"en*ing*ly, adv.
Rav"en*ous (rv"'n*s), a. [From 2d Raven.] 1. Devouring with rapacious eagerness; furiously voracious; hungry even to rage; as, a ravenous wolf or vulture.
2. Eager for prey or gratification; as, a ravenous appetite or desire.
-- Rav"en*ous*ly, adv. -- Rav"en*ous*ness, n.
Ra"ven's-duck` (r"v'nz-dk`), n. [Cf. G. ravenstuch.] A fine quality of sailcloth. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Rav"er (rv"r), n. One who raves.
Rav"in (rv"'n), a. Ravenous. [Obs.] Shak.
{ Rav"in, Rav"ine } (rv"'n), n. [See 2d Raven.] Food obtained by violence; plunder; prey; raven. "Fowls of ravyne." Chaucer.
Though Nature, red in tooth and claw
With ravine, shrieked against his creed.
Tennyson.
{ Rav"in, Rav"ine, } v. t. & i. See Raven, v. t. & i.
Ra*vine" (r*vn"), n. [F., a place excavated by a torrent, a ravine, fr. ravir to snatch or tear away, L. rapere; cf. L. rapina rapine. See Ravish, and cf. Rapine, Raven prey.] 1. A torrent of water. [Obs.] Cotgrave.
2. A deep and narrow hollow, usually worn by a stream or torrent of water; a gorge; a mountain cleft.
Rav"ing (rv"ng), a. Talking irrationally and wildly; as, a raving lunatic. -- Rav"ing*ly, adv.
Rav"ish (rv"sh), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ravished (-sht); p. pr. & vb. n. Ravishing.] [OE. ravissen, F. ravir, fr. L. rapere to snatch or tear away, to ravish. See Rapacious, Rapid, and - ish.] 1. To seize and carry away by violence; to snatch by force.
These hairs which thou dost ravish from my chin
Will quicken, and accuse thee.
Shak.
This hand shall ravish thy pretended right.