Ra Ra (rä) noun A roe; a deer. [ Obsolete] Chaucer.

Ra- Ra- A prefix, from the Latin re and ad combined, coming to us through the French and Italian. See Re- , and Ad- .

Raash Raash (räsh) noun [ Confer Arabic ra'ash trembling, tremor.] (Zoology) The electric catfish. [ Written also raasch .]

Rab Rab (răb) noun A rod or stick used by masons in mixing hair with mortar.

Rabat Rab"at (răb"ăt) noun [ See Rabot .] A polishing material made of potter's clay that has failed in baking.

Rabat Ra`bat" noun [ French Confer Rabato .] (Eccl.) (a) A clerical linen collar. (b) A kind of clerical scarf fitted to a collar; as, a black silk rabat .

Rabate Ra·bate" (rȧ*bāt") transitive verb [ French rabattre to beat down; prefix re- + abattre . See Abate , and confer Rebate , v. ] (Falconry) To recover to the fist, as a hawk. [ Obsolete]

Rabatine Rab"a·tine (răb"ȧ*tĭn) noun [ See Rabato .] A collar or cape. [ Obsolete] Sir W. Scott.

Rabato Ra·ba"to (rȧ*bā"to) noun [ French rabat , from rabattre . See Rabate .] A kind of ruff for the neck; a turned-down collar; a rebato. [ Obsolete] Shak.

Rabbate Rab·bate" (răb*bāt") transitive verb [ See Rabate .] To abate or diminish. [ Obsolete] -- noun Abatement. [ Obsolete]

Rabbet Rab"bet (răb"bĕt) transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Rabbeted ; present participle & verbal noun Rabbeting .] [ French raboter to plane, plane down, rabot a plane; prefix re- re- + Old French abouter , aboter . See Abut , and confer Rebut .] 1. To cut a rabbet in; to furnish with a rabbet. 2. To unite the edges of, as boards, etc., in a rabbet joint.

Rabbet Rab"bet noun [ See Rabbet , v. , and confer Rebate , noun ] 1. (Carp.) A longitudinal channel, groove, or recess cut out of the edge or face of any body; especially, one intended to receive another member, so as to break or cover the joint, or more easily to hold the members in place; thus, the groove cut for a panel, for a pane of glass, or for a door, is a rabbet , or rebate. 2. Same as Rabbet joint , below. Rabbet joint (Carp.) , a joint formed by fitting together rabbeted boards or timbers; -- called also rabbet . -- Rabbet plane , a joiner's plane for cutting a rabbet. Moxon.

Rabbi Rab"bi (răb"bī or -bĭ; 277) noun ; plural Rabbis (-bīz or -bĭz) or Rabbies . [ Latin , from Greek "rabbi` , Hebrew rabī my master, from rab master, lord, teacher, akin to Arabic rabb .] Master; lord; teacher; -- a Jewish title of respect or honor for a teacher or doctor of the law. "The gravest rabbies ." Milton.

Be not ye called Rabbi , for one is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren.

Matt. xxiii. 8.

Rabbin Rab"bin (răb"bĭn) noun [ French] Same as Rabbi .

Rabbinic Rab·bin"ic (răb*bĭn"ĭk), Rab*bin"ic*al (-ĭ*k a l) adjective [ Confer French rabbinique .] Of or pertaining to the rabbins or rabbis, or pertaining to the opinions, learning, or language of the rabbins. "Comments staler than rabbinic ." Lowell.

We will not buy your rabbinical fumes.

Milton.

Rabbinic Rab·bin"ic (răb*bĭn"ĭk) noun The language or dialect of the rabbins; the later Hebrew.

Rabbinically Rab·bin"ic·al·ly adverb In a rabbinical manner; after the manner of the rabbins.

Rabbinism Rab"bin·ism (răb"bĭn*ĭz'm) noun [ Confer French rabbinisme .] 1. A rabbinic expression or phraseology; a peculiarity of the language of the rabbins. 2. The teachings and traditions of the rabbins.

Rabbinist Rab"bin·ist noun [ Confer French rabbiniste .] One among the Jews who adhered to the Talmud and the traditions of the rabbins, in opposition to the Karaites , who rejected the traditions.

Rabbinite Rab"bin·ite (-īt) noun Same as Rabbinist .

Rabbit Rab"bit (răb"bĭt) noun [ Middle English rabet , akin to OD. robbe , robbeken .] (Zoology) Any of the smaller species of the genus Lepus, especially the common European species ( Lepus cuniculus ), which is often kept as a pet, and has been introduced into many countries. It is remarkably prolific, and has become a pest in some parts of Australia and New Zealand. » The common American rabbit ( Latin sylvatica ) is similar but smaller. See Cottontail , and Jack rabbit , under 2d Jack . The larger species of Lepus are commonly called hares . See Hare . Angora rabbit (Zoology) , a variety of the domestic rabbit having long, soft fur. -- Rabbit burrow , a hole in the earth made by rabbits for shelter and habitation. -- Rabbit fish . (Zoology) (a) The northern chimæra ( Chimæra monstrosa ) . (b) Any one of several species of plectognath fishes, as the bur fish, and puffer. The term is also locally applied to other fishes. -- Rabbits' ears . (Botany) See Cyclamen . -- Rabbit warren , a piece of ground appropriated to the breeding and preservation of rabbits. Wright. -- Rock rabbit . (Zoology) See Daman , and Klipdas . -- Welsh rabbit , a dish of which the chief constituents are toasted bread and toasted cheese, prepared in various ways. The name is said to be a corruption of Welsh rare bit , but perhaps it is merely a humorous designation.

Rabbiting Rab"bit·ing noun The hunting of rabbits. T. Hughes.

Rabbitry Rab"bit·ry (-rȳ) noun A place where rabbits are kept; especially, a collection of hutches for tame rabbits.

Rabble Rab"ble (răb"b'l) noun [ Etymol. uncertain.] (Iron Manuf.) An iron bar, with the end bent, used in stirring or skimming molten iron in the process of puddling.

Rabble Rab"ble transitive verb To stir or skim with a rabble, as molten iron.

Rabble Rab"ble intransitive verb [ Akin to Dutch rabbelen , Prov. German rabbeln , to prattle, to chatter: confer Latin rabula a brawling advocate, a pettifogger, from rabere to rave. Confer Rage .] To speak in a confused manner. [ Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Rabble Rab"ble noun [ Probably named from the noise made by it (see Rabble , intransitive verb ); confer Dutch rapalje rabble, Old French & Prov. French rapaille .] 1. A tumultuous crowd of vulgar, noisy people; a mob; a confused, disorderly throng.

I saw, I say, come out of London, even unto the presence of the prince, a great rabble of mean and light persons.

Ascham.

Jupiter, Mercury, Bacchus, Venus, Mars, and the whole rabble of licentious deities.

Bp. Warburton. 2. A confused, incoherent discourse; a medley of voices; a chatter. The rabble , the lowest class of people, without reference to an assembly; the dregs of the people. " The rabble call him ‘lord.'" Shak.

Rabble Rab"ble adjective Of or pertaining to a rabble; like, or suited to, a rabble; disorderly; vulgar. [ R.] Dryden.

Rabble Rab"ble transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Rabbled (-b'ld); present participle & verbal noun Rabbling (-blĭng).] 1. To insult, or assault, by a mob; to mob; as, to rabble a curate. Macaulay.

The bishops' carriages were stopped and the prelates themselves rabbled on their way to the house.

J. R. Green. 2. To utter glibly and incoherently; to mouth without intelligence. [ Obsolete or Scot.] Foxe. 3. To rumple; to crumple. [ Scot.]

Rabble-rout Rab"ble-rout` (-b'l-rout`) noun A tumultuous crowd; a rabble; a noisy throng.

Rabblement Rab"ble·ment (răb"b'l*m e nt) noun A tumultuous crowd of low people; a rabble. "Rude rablement ." Spenser.

And still, as he refused it, the rabblement hooted.

Shak.

Rabbler Rab"bler (-blẽr) noun [ See 2d Rabble .] (Mech.) A scraping tool for smoothing metal.

Rabdoidal Rab·doid"al (răb*doid" a l) adjective [ Greek "ra`bdos a rod + -oid + - al .] (Anat.) See Sagittal . [ Written also rhabdoidal .]

Rabdology Rab·dol"o·gy (-dŏl"o*jȳ) noun [ Greek "ra`bdos rod, stick + - logy : confer French rabdologie .] The method or art of performing arithmetical operations by means of Napier's bones. See Napier's bones . [ Written also rhabdology .]

Rabdomancy Rab"do·man`cy (răb"do*măn`sȳ) noun [ Greek "ra`bdos rod + -mancy .] Divination by means of rods or wands. [ Written also rhabdomancy .] Sir T. Browne.

Rabid Rab"id (răb"ĭd) adjective [ Latin rabidus , from rabere to rave. See Rage , noun ] 1. Furious; raging; extremely violent.

The rabid flight
Of winds that ruin ships.

Chapman. 2. Extreme, unreasonable, or fanatical in opinion; excessively zealous; as, a rabid socialist. 3. Affected with the distemper called rabies ; mad; as, a rabid dog or fox. 4. (Medicine) Of or pertaining to rabies, or hydrophobia; as, rabid virus.

Rabidity Ra·bid"i·ty (rȧ*bĭd"ĭ*tȳ) noun Rabidness; furiousness.

Rabidly Rab"id·ly (răb"ĭd*lȳ) adverb In a rabid manner; with extreme violence.

Rabidness Rab"id·ness noun The quality or state of being rabid.

Rabies Ra"bi·es (rā"bĭ*ēz) noun [ Latin See Rage , noun ] Same as Hydrophobia (b) ; canine madness.

Rabinet Rab"i·net (răb"ĭ*nĕt) noun [ Etymol. uncertain.] (Mil.) A kind of small ordnance formerly in use. [ Written also rabanet .] Ainsworth.

Rabious Ra"bi·ous (rā"bĭ*ŭs) adjective Fierce. [ Obsolete] Daniel.

Rabot Ra"bot (rā"bŏt) noun [ French] A rubber of hard wood used in smoothing marble to be polished. Knight.

Raca Ra"ca (rā"kȧ) adjective [ Greek "raka` , from Chaldee rēkā .] A term of reproach used by the Jews of our Savior's time, meaning "worthless."

Whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca , shall be in danger of the council.

Matt. v. 22.

Racahout Ra`ca`hout" (rȧ`kȧ`ō") noun [ French racahout , probably from Arabic rāqaut .] A preparation from acorns used by the Arabs as a substitute for chocolate, and also as a beverage for invalids.

Raccoon Rac·coon" (răk*kōn") noun [ French raton , prop., a little rat, from rat rat, perhaps of German origin. See Rat .] (Zoology) A North American nocturnal carnivore ( Procyon lotor ) allied to the bears, but much smaller, and having a long, full tail, banded with black and gray. Its body is gray, varied with black and white. Called also coon , and mapach . Raccoon dog (Zoology) , the tanate. -- Raccoon fox (Zoology) , the cacomixle.

Race Race (rās) transitive verb To raze. [ Obsolete] Spenser.

Race Race (rās) noun [ Old French raïz , Latin radix , -icis . See Radix .] A root. "A race or two of ginger." Shak. Race ginger , ginger in the root, or not pulverized.

Race Race noun [ French race ; confer Pr. & Spanish raza , Italian razza ; all from Old High German reiza line, akin to English write . See Write .] 1. The descendants of a common ancestor; a family, tribe, people, or nation, believed or presumed to belong to the same stock; a lineage; a breed.

The whole race of mankind.

Shak.

Whence the long race of Alban fathers come.

Dryden. » Naturalists and ethnographers divide mankind into several distinct varieties, or races. Cuvier refers them all to three, Pritchard enumerates seven, Agassiz eight, Pickering describes eleven. One of the common classifications is that of Blumenbach, who makes five races: the Caucasian , or white race, to which belong the greater part of the European nations and those of Western Asia; the Mongolian , or yellow race, occupying Tartary, China, Japan, etc.; the Ethiopian , or negro race, occupying most of Africa (except the north), Australia, Papua, and other Pacific Islands; the American , or red race, comprising the Indians of North and South America; and the Malayan , or brown race, which occupies the islands of the Indian Archipelago, etc. Many recent writers classify the Malay and American races as branches of the Mongolian. See Illustration in Appendix. 2. Company; herd; breed.

For do but note a wild and wanton herd,
Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,
Fetching mad bounds.

Shak. 3. (Botany) A variety of such fixed character that it may be propagated by seed. 4. Peculiar flavor, taste, or strength, as of wine; that quality, or assemblage of qualities, which indicates origin or kind, as in wine; hence, characteristic flavor; smack. "A race of heaven." Shak.

Is it [ the wine] of the right race ?

Massinger. 5. Hence, characteristic quality or disposition. [ Obsolete]

And now I give my sensual race the rein.

Shak.

Some . . . great race of fancy or judgment.

Sir W. Temple. Syn. -- Lineage; line; family; house; breed; offspring; progeny; issue.

Race Race noun [ Middle English ras , res , rees , Anglo-Saxon rǣs a rush, running; akin to Icelandic rās course, race. √118.] 1. A progress; a course; a movement or progression. 2. Esp., swift progress; rapid course; a running.

The flight of many birds is swifter than the race of any beasts.

Bacon. 3. Hence: The act or process of running in competition; a contest of speed in any way, as in running, riding, driving, skating, rowing, sailing; in the plural, usually, a meeting for contests in the running of horses; as, he attended the races .

The race is not to the swift.

Eccl. ix. 11.

I wield the gauntlet, and I run the race .

Pope. 4. Competitive action of any kind, especially when prolonged; hence, career; course of life.

My race of glory run, and race of shame.

Milton. 5. A strong or rapid current of water, or the channel or passage for such a current; a powerful current or heavy sea, sometimes produced by the meeting of two tides; as, the Portland Race ; the Race of Alderney. 6. The current of water that turns a water wheel, or the channel in which it flows; a mill race. » The part of the channel above the wheel is sometimes called the headrace , the part below, the tailrace . 7. (Machinery) A channel or guide along which a shuttle is driven back and forth, as in a loom, sewing machine, etc. Race cloth , a cloth worn by horses in racing, having pockets to hold the weights prescribed. -- Race course . (a) The path, generally circular or elliptical, over which a race is run. (b) Same as Race way , below. -- Race cup , a cup given as a prize to the victor in a race. -- Race glass , a kind of field glass. -- Race horse . (a) A horse that runs in competition; specifically, a horse bred or kept for running races. (b) A breed of horses remarkable for swiftness in running. (c) (Zoology) The steamer duck. (d) (Zoology) A mantis. -- Race knife , a cutting tool with a blade that is hooked at the point, for marking outlines, on boards or metals, as by a pattern, -- used in shipbuilding. -- Race saddle , a light saddle used in racing. -- Race track . Same as Race course (a) , above. -- Race way , the canal for the current that drives a water wheel.