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.
Rēx, n. p. 1135A king.Rey'nard or Rēyn'ard, n. p. 1135A fox; renard. [Poetry and Fable.]Rha-bär'/ba-rate, a. p. 1135Impregnated or tinctured with rhubarb. Floger.Rha-bār'bar-īne, n. p. 1135(Chem.) The yellow acid of rhubarb, now called chrysophanic acid. It is fusible and volatile, has great coloring power, and yields a fine violet with alkalies. [Obs.] Gregory.Rhab-doid'al, a. p. 1135The same as RABDOIDAL. See RABDOIDAL.Rhab-dŏl'o-gy, n. p. 1135The same as RABDOLOGY. See RABDOLOGY.Rhāb'do-mān'cy, n. p. 1135The same as RABDOMANCY. See RABDOMANCY.Rhā'chis, n. p. 1135The same as RACHIS. See RACHIS.Rhae'ti-zīte, n. p. 1135A variety of the mineral kyanite. Dana.Rhām'nus, n. p. 1135(Bot.) A genus of shrubs or small trees, of which one species (R. catharticus), having thorny branchlets, is cultivated for hedges, and produces berries, which, having cathartic properties, are…Rhā'phe, n. p. 1135(Bot.) The continuation of the seed-stalk along the side of an anatropous ovule or seed, forming a ridge or seam. [Written also raphe.] Gray.Rhāph'i-dēz, n. pl. p. 1135The same as RAPHIDES. See RAPHIDES.Rha-pŏn'ti-cīne, n. p. 1135(Chem.) A proximate principle of Rheum rhaponticum.Rhāp'sōde, n. p. 1135(Gr. Antig.) A rhapsodist. [Rare.] I venture to think that the rhapsodes incurred the displeasure of Kleisthenes by reciting, not the Homeric Iliad, but the Homeric Thebais and Epigoni. Grote.Rhāp'so-der, n. p. 1135A rhapsodist. [Obs.]Rhap-sōd'ic, a. p. 1135[Gr. ῥαψῳδικός,Rhap-sōd'ic-al p. 1135Fr. rhapsodique. See RHAPSODY.] Pertaining to, or consisting of, rhapsody; unconnected.Rhap-sŏd'ic-al-ly, adv. p. 1135In a rhapsodical manner.Rhăp’so-dīst, n. p. 1135(Antiq.) One who recites or composes a rhapsody; especially, one whose profession was to recite the verses of Homer and other poets. “He was the greatest collector or rhapsodist of all the Latins.”…Rhāp'so-dīze, v. t. p. 1135To utter or recite as a rhapsody, or in the manner of a rhapsody.Rhāp'so-dīze, v. i. p. 1136To utter rhapsodies. Jefferson.Rhāp'so-dy, n. p. 1136A portion of an epic poem fit for recitation at one time, as a book of Homer was rehearsed by a rhapsodist. 2. A disconnected series of sentences or statements composed under excitement, and without…Rhā'ta-ny, n. p. 1136The same as RATANY.Rhē'ā, n. p. 1136(Ornith.) A genus of large birds allied to the ostrich, found in South America. R. Americana, or the South American ostrich, a native of Brazil, is of a gray color, and remarkable for its swiftness…Rhein'bör-ry, n. p. 1136(Bot.) A plant of the genus Rhamnus (R. catharticus); buck-thorn.Rhē'īne, n. p. 1136(Chem.) The same as RHAPONTICINE.Rhe-māt'ic, n. p. 1136The doctrine of propositions or sentences. Coleridge.Rhēn'ish, a. p. 1136(Geog.) Of, or pertaining to, the river Rhine; as, Rhēnish wine.Rhēn'ish, n. p. 1136Wine made from the vineyards along the Rhine.Rhe-ōm'e-ter, n. p. 1136(Physics.) An instrument for measuring the force or velocity of currents, as of electricity, galvanism, and the like; — called also galvanometer. [Written also reometer.] Nichol.Rhē'o-mĕt'ric, a. p. 1136Pertaining to a rheometer, or its use. Lardner.Rhe-ŏm'e-try, n. p. 1136(Physics.) The measurement of the force and velocity of currents. 2. (Math.) The calculus; fluxions. [Rare.]Rhē'o-scōpe, n. p. 1136(Physics.) An instrument for detecting the movement of currents, as of galvanism, &c.Rhē'o-stăt, n. p. 1136(Physics.) A contrivance for adjusting or regulating the velocity of currents, as of galvanism, and the like. Wheatstone.Rhē'o-tōme, n. p. 1136(Physics.) An instrument which periodically interrupts an electric current. Wheatstone.Rhē'o-trōpe, n. p. 1136(Physics.) An instrument for reversing the direction of an electric current. [Written also reotrope.]Rhē'ti-an, a. p. 1136(Geog.) Pertaining to the ancient Rhæti, or to Rhætia, their country; as, the Rhætian Alps, now the country of Tyrol and the Grisons.Rhē'ti-zīte, n. p. 1136The same as RHÆTIZITE.Rhē'tor, n. p. 1136A rhetorician. [Obs.] Hammond.}Rhēt'o-ric, n. p. 1136The art of composition; especially the art of elegant and accurate composition in prose. 2. The science of oratory; the art of speaking with propriety, elegance, and force. Locke. 3. Hence…Rhe-tŏr'ic-al, a. p. 1136Of, pertaining to, or involving, rhetoric; oratorical; as, the rhetorical art; a rhetorical treatise; a rhetorical flourish. They permit him to leave their poetical taste ungratified, provided that…Rhe-tŏr'ic-al-ly, adv. p. 1136In a rhetorical manner; according to the rules of rhetoric; as, to treat a subject rhetorically; a discourse rhetorically delivered.Rhe-tōr'ic-al-ness, n. p. 1136The state or quality of being rhetorical.Rhe-tŏr'ic-āte, v. i. p. 1136To play the orator. [Obs.] A person ready to sink under his wants has neither time nor heart to rhetoricate, or make flourishes. South.Rhe-tōr'i-cā'tion, n. p. 1136Rhetorical amplification. [Obs.] Waterland.Rhēt'o-rī'cian, n. p. 1136One well versed in the rules and principles of rhetoric. The “understanding” is that by which a man becomes a mere logician, and a mere rhetorician. F. W. Robertson. 2. One who teaches the art of…Rhĕt'o-rĭ'cian, a. p. 1136Suiting a master of rhetoric. [Obs.] Blackmore.Rhĕt'o-rīze, v. i. p. 1136To play the orator. Cotgr.Rhĕt'o-rīze, v. t. p. 1136To represent by a figure of oratory. Milton.Rhē'um, n. p. 1136(Bot.) A genus of plants, the fleshy, acid stalks of some species of which are used in cookery, while the roots of other species afford a valuable cathartic medicine; rhubarb.Rheum, n. p. 1136An increased action of the excretory vessels of any organ;—applied especially to the increased action of the mucous membrane, attended with increased discharge and an altered state of the excreted…Rheu-măt'ic, a. p. 1136Pertaining to rheumatism, or partaking of its nature; as, rheumatic pains or affections. Therefore the moon, the governess of floods, Pale in her anger, washes all the air, That rheumatic diseases…Rheu'ma-tism, n. p. 1136(Med.) A painful inflammation affecting muscles and joints of the human body, chiefly the larger joints, as the hips, knees, shoulders, &c.Rheum'y, a. p. 1136Pertaining to, abounding in, or causing, rheum; affected with, or full of, rheum. His head and rheumy eyes distill in showers. Dryden. And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air To add unto his sickness.…Rhīme, n. p. 1136See RHYME.Rhī'nal, a. p. 1136Pertaining to the nose.Rhī-năn'thus, n. p. 1136(Bot.) A genus of annual plants having yellow flowers; yellow-rattle;—so called from the beaked upper lip of the corolla, resembling a snout, in some species formerly included in this genus. Gray.Rhīne, n. p. 1136A water-course or ditch. [Written also rean.] Macaulay.Rhī'no, n. p. 1136Gold and silver, or money. [Cant.] Wagstaffe.Rhī'no-çē'ri-al or Rhī'no-çĕr'ic-al, a. p. 1136Of, or pertaining to, the rhinoceros; resembling the rhinoceros. Tatler.