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.
Rām'pārt, n. p. 1084That which fortifies and defends from assault; that which secures safety. 2. (Fort.) An elevation or mound of earth round a place, upon which the parapet is raised. Mahan. Syn. — Bulwark; fence…Rām'pārt, v. t. p. 1084To fortify with ramparts. These grassy hills, those glittering dells, Proudly ramparted with rocks. Coleridge. Rampart gun (Fort.), a cannon or large gun fitted for rampart use, and not used for…Rām'piēr, n. p. 1084The same as RAMPART.Rām'pi-on, n. p. 1084(Bot.) A plant of the genus Campanula (C. rapunculus), having an esculent root somewhat resembling a small turnip. Eng. Cyc. Crested rampion, a species of Lobelia. — Horned rampion, a species of…Rām'pīre, n. p. 1084The same as RAMPART; — seldom used except in poetry. The Trojans round the place a rampire cast. Dryden.Rām′pīre, v. t. p. 1084To fortify with a rampire: to form into a rampire. [Obs.] Chapman.Rām'rŏd, n. p. 1084The rod used in ramming down the charge in a musket, pistol, or other fire-arm.Rām’shăck-le, a. p. 1084Loose; old; falling to pieces. [Prov. Eng.] “A squeezed house with a ramshackle bowed front.” Dickens.Răm’shăck-le, v. t. p. 1084To search or ransack. [Prov. Eng.]Rām'son, n. p. 1084(Bot.) A species of garlic (Allium ursinum), formerly cultivated in gardens. P. Cyc.Rām'ū-lōse or Rām'ū-lōus, a. p. 1084(Bot.) Having many small branches.Rān, imp. p. 1084of run. See RUN.Rām, n. p. 1084Open robbery. [Obs.] Lombard.Rā'na, n. p. 1084(Zoöl.) A genus of tailless batrachians; the frog.Ran-çēs'cent, a. p. 1084Becoming rancid or sour.Rānch, v. t. p. 1084To sprain; to wrench; to injure by violent straining or contortion. [Rare.] Dryden.Rānch, n. p. 1084The same as RANCHO.Ran-chē'ro, n. p. 1084A herdsman; a peasant employed on a rancho. [Mexico.]Rānch'o, n. p. 1084A rude hut, as of posts, covered with branches or thatch, where herdsmen or farm-laborers may live or lodge at night; also, a large farming establishment on which are many ranchos; especially, an…Rān'çid, a. p. 1084Having a rank smell; strong-scented; sour; musty; as, rancid oil or butter.Ran-cid'i-ty, n. p. 1085The quality of being rancid; a strong, sour scent, as of old oil. The rancidity of oils may be analogous to the oxidation of metals. Ure.Răn'çid-ly, adv. p. 1085With a strong scent; mustily.Răn'çid-ness, n. p. 1085The quality of being rancid; rancidity.Răn'cor, n. p. 1085The deepest malignity or spite; deep-seated and malignant enmity; inveterate hatred. It would not be easy to conceive the passion, rancor, and malice of their tongues and hearts. Burke. Syn.—Enmity…Răn'cor-ous, a. p. 1085Full of rancor; evincing rancor; deeply malignant; implacably spiteful or malicious; intensely virulent. So flamed his eyes with rage and rancorous ire. Spencer. Syn.—Malignant; malicious; bitter…Răn'cor-ous-ly, adv. p. 1085In a rancorous manner; with deep malignity or spiteful malice.Rănd, n. p. 1085A border; edge; margin. 2. A long, fleshy piece, as of beef cut from the flank or leg; a sort of steak. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl. 3. A thin, inner sole for a shoe. Simmonds.Rănd, v. i. p. 1085To rant; to storm. [Obs.] I wept, and sighed, . . . and raved, and randed, and railed. J. Webster.Răn'dan, n. p. 1085The product of a second sifting of meal; the finest part of the bran. [Prov. Eng.]Răn'dŏm, n. p. 1085A roving motion; course without definite direction; want of direction, rule, or method; hazard; chance;—used especially in the phrase at random, that is, without a settled point of direction; at…Răn'dŏm, a. p. 1085Done at hazard, or without settled aim or purpose; done without previous calculation; left to chance; as, a random guess. Some random truths he can impart. Wordsworth. Random shot, a shot not…Răn'dŏm, n. p. 1085Random. [Obs.] Spencer.Răn'dŏm, v. i. p. 1085To stray or rove wildly; to go at random. [Obs.]Răn'dy, a. p. 1085Disorderly; riotous. [Scot.] “The mad, randy gipsy.” W. Scott.Rāne, n. p. 1085[A.-S. hrān, hræn, wild goat, rein-Rāne'deer or deer p. 1085hrāndēor, Icel. hreinn, hreindyr, Dan. rensdyr, Sw. ren, rendjur, D. rendier, Ger. rennthier, Lap. & Finn. raingo.] The same as REINDEER. [Rare.] See REINDEER.Răn'fōrce, n. p. 1085See RE-ENFORCE. [Obs.] Bailey.Răng, imp. p. 1085of ring. [Rare.]Rănge, v. t. p. 1085To set in a row or in rows; to place in a regular line, lines, or ranks; to dispose in the proper order; to rank; as, to range troops in a body. It would be absurd in me to range myself on the side…Range, v. i. p. 1085To rove at large; to wander without restraint or direction; to roam. Like a ranging spaniel that barks at every bird he sees. Burton. 2. To have range; to be capable of projecting, or to admit of…Rānge, n. p. 1085A series of things in a line; a row; a rank; as, a range of buildings; a range of mountains. 2. An aggregate of individuals of like rank or degree; an order; a class. The next range of beings above…Rānge'ment, n. p. 1085The act of ranging, or the state of being ranged or arranged; arrangement. [Obs.]Rān'ger, n. p. 1085One who ranges; a rover; a robber. [Rare.] Spenser. 2. That which separates into parts; specifically, a sieve. [Obs.] “The tamis ranger.” Holland. 3. A dog that beats the ground. Gay. 4. One of a…Rān'ger-shīp, n. p. 1085The office of the keeper of a forest or park.Rān'gle, v. i. p. 1085To range about in an irregular manner. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.Rā'nīne, a. p. 1085Pertaining to frogs. Wright. 2. (Anat.) Pertaining or belonging to the lingual artery, and to a vein following the same course as the artery. Dunglison.Rānk, n. p. 1085A row or line; a range; an order; a tier. Many a mountain high Rising in loftier ranks, and loftier still. Byron. 2. (Mil.) A line of soldiers; a row of troops reckoned from side to side, or in…Rānk, v. t. p. 1085To place abreast, or in a line. 2. To range in a particular class, order, or division; to class. Poets were ranked in the class of philosophers. Broome. Heresy is ranked with idolatry and witchcraft.…Ränk, v. i. p. 1085To be ranged; to be set or disposed, as in a particular degree, class, order, or division. Let that one article rank with the rest. Shak. Go, rank in tribes, and quit the savage wood. Tate. 2. To…Rănk, a. p. 1085Luxuriant in growth; exuberant; of vigorous growth; as, rank grass; rank weeds. Seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. Gen. xli. 5. 2. Raised to a high degree; excessive; violent…Rănk, adv. p. 1085Rankly; stoutly; violently. “That rides so rank and bends his lance so fell.” Fairfax.Rănk'er, n. p. 1085One who ranks, or disposes in ranks; one who arranges.Rănk'le, v. i. p. 1085To grow more rank or strong; to be inflamed; to fester. “A malady that burns and rankles inward.” Rowe. 2. Hence, to become more violent; to be inflamed; to rage; as, rankling malice; rankling envy.…Rănk'le, v. t. p. 1085To cause to fester; to make more painful; to inflame. [Rare.] Beau. & Fl.Ränk'ly, adv. p. 1085With vigorous growth; luxuriantly; hence, coarsely; grossly; as, grass or weeds grow rankly.Rănk'ness, n. p. 1085The condition or quality of being rank; luxuriance; excess; great strength; extravagance; as, rankness of plants; rankness of pride. The crane's pride is in the rankness of her wing. L'Estrange. 2.…Ran-nee', n. p. 1085A queen or princess; the wife of a rajah. [Written also ranee, and ranny.] [Hindostan.]Răn'nel, n. p. 1085A prostitute; a strumpet. [Obs.]Rān'ny, n. p. 1085The shrew-mouse. Browne.Rän'sack, v. t. p. 1085To search thoroughly; to enter and search every place or part of. “To ransack every corner of their shifting and fallacious hearts.” South. 2. To plunder; to pillage completely; to ravage; as, to…