Dictionary
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Revised and enlarged (Goodrich & Porter)
Springfield, Mass. · G. & C. Merriam · 1865
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- 95,912
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Look up a word as the writers of the time used it.
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.Rhī-nŏç'e-rŏs, n. p. 1136(Zool.) A pachydermatous mammal,—nearly allied to the elephant, the hippopotamus, the tapir, &c., and characterized by having one or two very strong horns upon the nose. It is of great size, and very…Rhī-nŏç'e-rŏs-bīrd, n. p. 1136A bird of the genus Buceros, a species of hornbill (B. rhinoceros), found in the East Indies and Indian Islands, having a curved horn on the forehead, joined to the upper mandible. P. Cyc.Rhī-nŏl'o-phŭs, n. p. 1136(Zoöl.) A genus of bats characterized by having the nose surmounted by membranous crests, the upper one of which is lanceolate and erect, while the lower one is shaped like a horse-shoe.Rhī'no-plăs'tic, a. p. 1136Forming a nose. Rhinoplastic operation (Surg.), an operation which renews the nose, or supplies a substitute for a natural nose.Rhī'no-plās-ty, n. p. 1136(Surg.) The process of forming an artificial nose, sometimes called the Taliacotian operation. It consists in bringing down a piece of flesh from the forehead, and causing it to adhere to the…Rhī-pē'an, a. p. 1136See RIPHEAN.Rhī-pip’ter, n. p. 1136(Entom.) One of an order of insects having wings which fold like a fan; a strepsipter. See STREPSIPTER.Rhi-pip'ter-ā, n. pl. p. 1136(Entom.) One of the rhipipters. See RHIPIPTER.Rhī-pip'ter-an, n. p. 1136(Entom.) One of the Rhipiptera.Rhiz'o-dōnt, n. p. 1136(Zoöl.) A reptile whose teeth are planted in sockets, as the crocodile. Dana.Rhī-zō'mā, n. p. 1136(Bot.) A creeping stem or branch growing beneath the surface of the soil, and partly covered by it; a root-stock. Gray.Rhīzō-mōr'phē, n. p. 1136(Bot.) A genus of fungi resembling the root of a tree, found in damp cellars, on decayed wood, in mines, and similar places. One species (R. subterranea), found in the coal mines of Dresden, is…Rhī-zōph'a-goūs, a. p. 1136Feeding on roots.Rhī-zōph'o-rā, n. p. 1136(Bot.) A genus of tropical plants, including the mangrove. They root in the mud, and form a dense thicket down to the verge of the water.Rhiz'o-pōd, n. p. 1136(Zoöl.) One of the protozoans, having usually a calcareous shell consisting of one or more minute cells, and often arranged in regular forms. Some of them extend out fiber-like processes through the…Rhō'di-an, a. p. 1136(Geog.) Of, or pertaining to, Rhodes, an isle of the Mediterranean; as, Rhodian laws.Rhō'di-an, n. p. 1136(Geog.) A native or inhabitant of Rhodes.