Chapter CCCLXVI: Prologue (17)

RECOGNIZANCE Re*cog"ni*zance, n. Etym: [F. reconnaissance, OF. recognoissance, fr. recognoissant, p. pr. of recognoistre to recognize, F. reconnaître, fr. L. recognoscere; pref. re- re- + cognoscere to know. See Cognizance, Know, and cf. Recognize, Reconnoissance.] [Written also recognisance.]

1. (Law) (a) An obligation of record entered into before some court of record or magistrate duly authorized, with condition to do some particular act, as to appear at the same or some other court, to keep the peace, or pay a debt. A recognizance differs from a bond, being witnessed by the record only, and not by the party's seal. (b) The verdict of a jury impaneled upon assize. Cowell.

Note: Among lawyers the g in this and the related words (except recognize) is usually silent.

2. A token; a symbol; a pledge; a badge. That recognizance and pledge of love Which I first gave her. Shak.

3. Acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; profession; recognition.

RECOGNIZATION Re*cog`ni*za"tion, n.

Defn: Recognition. [R.]

RECOGNIZE Rec"og*nize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recognized; p. pr. & vb. n. Recognizing.] Etym: [From Recognizance; see Cognition, and cf. Reconnoiter.] [Written also recognise.]

1. To know again; to perceive the identity of, with a person or thing previously known; to recover or recall knowledge of. Speak, vassal; recognize thy sovereign queen. Harte.

2. To avow knowledge of; to allow that one knows; to consent to admit, hold, or the like; to admit with a formal acknowledgment; as, to recognize an obligation; to recognize a consul.

3. To acknowledge acquaintance with, as by salutation, bowing, or the like.

4. To show appreciation of; as, to recognize services by a testimonial.

5. To review; to reëxamine. [Obs.] South.

6. To reconnoiter. [Obs.] R. Monro.

Syn. -- To acknowledge; avow; confess; own; allow; concede. See Acknowledge.

RECOGNIZE Rec"og*nize, v. i. (Law)

Defn: To enter an obligation of record before a proper tribunal; as, A, B recognized in the sum of twenty dollars. [Written also recognise.]

Note: In legal usage in the United States the second syllable is often accented.

RECOGNIZEE Re*cog`ni*zee", n. (Law)

Defn: The person in whose favor a recognizance is made. [Written also recognisee.] Blackstone.

RECOGNIZER Rec"og*ni`zer, n.

Defn: One who recognizes; a recognizor. [Written also recogniser.]

RECOGNIZOR; RECOGNISOR Re*cog`ni*zor", Re*cog`ni*sor", n. (Law)

Defn: One who enters into a recognizance. [Written also recognisor.] Blackstone.

RECOGNOSCE Rec"og*nosce, v. t. Etym: [L. recognoscere. See Recognizance.]

Defn: To recognize. [R. & Obs.] Boyle.

RECOIL Re*coil", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Recoiled; p. pr. & vb. n. Recoiling.] Etym: [OE. recoilen, F. reculer, fr. L. pref. re- re- + culus the fundament. The English word was perhaps influenced in form by accoil.]

1. To start, roll, bound, spring, or fall back; to take a reverse motion; to be driven or forced backward; to return. Evil on itself shall back recoil. Milton. The solemnity of her demeanor made it impossible . . . that we should recoil into our ordinary spirits. De Quincey.

2. To draw back, as from anything repugnant, distressing, alarming, or the like; to shrink. Shak.

3. To turn or go back; to withdraw one's self; to retire. [Obs.] "To your bowers recoil." Spenser.

RECOIL Re*coil", v. t.

Defn: To draw or go back. [Obs.] Spenser.

RECOIL Re*coil", n.

1. A starting or falling back; a rebound; a shrinking; as, the recoil of nature, or of the blood.

2. The state or condition of having recoiled. The recoil from formalism is skepticism. F. W. Robertson.

3. Specifically, the reaction or rebounding of a firearm when discharged. Recoil dynamometer (Gunnery), an instrument for measuring the force of the recoil of a firearm. -- Recoil escapement See the Note under Escapement.

RECOILER Re*coil"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, recoils.

RECOILINGLY Re*coil"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: In the manner of a recoil.

RECOILMENT Re*coil"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. reculement.]

Defn: Recoil. [R.]

RECOIN Re*coin", v. t.

Defn: To coin anew or again.

RECOINAGE Re*coin"age, n.

1. The act of coining anew.

2. That which is coined anew.

RE-COLLECT Re`-col*lect", v. t. Etym: [Pref. re- + collect.]

Defn: To collect again; to gather what has been scattered; as, to re- collect routed troops. God will one day raise the dead, re-collecting our scattered dust. Barrow.

RECOLLECT Rec`ol*lect", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recollected; imp. & p. p. Recollecting.] Etym: [Pref. re- + collect: cf. L. recolligere, recollectum, to collect. Cf. Recollet.]

1. To recover or recall the knowledge of; to bring back to the mind or memory; to remember.

2. Reflexively, to compose one's self; to recover self-command; as, to recollect one's self after a burst of anger; -- sometimes, formerly, in the perfect participle. The Tyrian queen . . . Admired his fortunes, more admired the man; Then recollected stood. Dryden.

RECOLLECT Rec"ol*lect, n. Etym: [See Recollet.] (Eccl.)

Defn: A friar of the Strict Observance, -- an order of Franciscans. [Written also Recollet.] Addis & Arnold.

RECOLLECTION Rec`ol*lec"tion (rk`l*lk"shn), n. Etym: [Cf. F. récollection.]

1. The act of recollecting, or recalling to the memory; the operation by which objects are recalled to the memory, or ideas revived in the mind; reminiscence; remembrance.

2. The power of recalling ideas to the mind, or the period within which things can be recollected; remembrance; memory; as, an event within my recollection.

3. That which is recollected; something called to mind; reminiscence. "One of his earliest recollections." Macaulay.

4. The act or practice of collecting or concentrating the mind; concentration; self-control. [Archaic] From such an education Charles contracted habits of gravity and recollection. Robertson.

Syn. -- Reminiscence; remembrance. See Memory.

RECOLLECTIVE Rec`ol*lect"ive (-lk"tv), a.

Defn: Having the power of recollecting. J. Foster.

RECOLLET Rec"ol*let (rk"l*lt; F. r`k`l"), n. Etym: [F. récollet, fr. L. recollectus, p.p. of recolligere to gather again, to gather up; NL., to collect one's self, esp. for religious contemplation.] (Eccl.)

Defn: Same as Recollect, n.

RECOLONIZATION Re*col`o*ni*za"tion (r*kl`*n*z"shn), n.

Defn: A second or renewed colonization.

RECOLONIZE Re*col"o*nize (r*kl"*nz), v. t.

Defn: To colonize again.

RECOMBINATION Re*com`bi*na"tion (r*km`b*n"shn), n.

Defn: Combination a second or additional time.

RECOMBINE Re`com*bine" (r`km*bn"), v. t.

Defn: To combine again.

RECOMFORT Re*com"fort (r*km"frt), v. t. Etym: [Pref. re- + comfort: cf. F. réconforter.]

Defn: To comfort again; to console anew; to give new strength to. Bacon. Gan her recomfort from so sad affright. Spenser.

RECOMFORTLESS Re*com"fort*less, a.

Defn: Without comfort. [Obs.]

RECOMFORTURE Re*com"for*ture (-fr*tr;135), n.

Defn: The act of recomforting; restoration of comfort. [Obs.] Shak.

RECOMMENCE Re`com*mence" (r`km*mns"), v. i.

1. To commence or begin again. Howell.

2. To begin anew to be; to act again as. [Archaic.] He seems desirous enough of recommencing courtier. Johnson.

RECOMMENCE Re`com*mence", v. t. Etym: [Pref. re- + commence: cf. F. recommencer.]

Defn: To commence again or anew.

RECOMMENCEMENT Re`com*mence"ment (-mnt), n.

Defn: A commencement made anew.

RECOMMEND Rec`om*mend" (rk`m*mnd"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recommended; p. pr. & vb. n. Recommending.] Etym: [Pref. re- + commend: cf. F. recommander.]

1. To commend to the favorable notice of another; to commit to another's care, confidence, or acceptance, with favoring representations; to put in a favorable light before any one; to bestow commendation on; as, he recommended resting the mind and exercising the body. Mæcenas recommended Virgil and Horace to Augustus, whose praises . . . have made him precious to posterity. Dryden.

2. To make acceptable; to attract favor to. A decent boldness ever meets with friends, Succeeds, and e'en a stranger recommends. Pope.

3. To commit; to give in charge; to commend. Paul chose Silas and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. Acts xv. 40 .

RECOMMENDABLE Rec`om*mend"a*ble (-*b'l), a. Etym: [Cf. F. recommandable.]

Defn: Suitable to be recommended; worthy of praise; commendable. Glanvill. -- Rec`om*mend"a*ble*ness, n. -- Rec`om*mend"a*bly, adv.

RECOMMENDATION Rec`om*men*da"tion (rk`m*mn*d"shn), n. Etym: [Cf. F. recommandation.]

1. The act of recommending.

2. That which recommends, or commends to favor; anything procuring, or tending to procure, a favorable reception, or to secure acceptance and adoption; as, he brought excellent recommendations.

3. The state of being recommended; esteem. [R.] The burying of the dead . . . hath always been had in an extraordinary recommendation amongst the ancient. Sir T. North.

RECOMMENDATIVE Rec`om*mend"a*tive (-mnd"*tv), n.

Defn: That which recommends; a recommendation. [Obs.]

RECOMMENDATORY Rec`om*mend"a*to*ry (-*t*r), a.

Defn: Serving to recommend; recommending; commendatory. Swift.

RECOMMENDER Rec`om*mend"er (-r), n.

Defn: One who recommends.

RECOMMISSION Re`com*mis"sion (r`km*mshn), v. t.

Defn: To commission again; to give a new commission to. Officers whose time of service had expired were to be recommissioned. Marshall.

RECOMMIT Re`com*mit" (-mt"), v. t.

Defn: To commit again; to give back into keeping; specifically, to refer again to a committee; as, to recommit a bill to the same committee.

RECOMMITMENT; RECOMMITTAL Re`com*mit"ment (-mnt), Re`com*mit"tal (-l), n.

Defn: A second or renewed commitment; a renewed reference to a committee.

RECOMPACT Re`com*pact" (-pkt"), v. t.

Defn: To compact or join anew. "Recompact my scattered body." Donne.

RECOMPENSATION Re*com`pen*sa"tion (r*km`pn*s"shn), n. Etym: [Cf. LL. recompensatio.]

1. Recompense. [Obs.]

2. (Scots Law)

Defn: Used to denote a case where a set-off pleaded by the defendant is met by a set-off pleaded by the plaintiff.

RECOMPENSE Rec"om*pense (rèk"òm*pèns), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recompensed (-pnst); p. pr. & vb. n. Recompensing (-pn`sng).] Etym: [F. récompenser, LL. recompensare, fr.L. pref. re- re- + compensare to compensate. See Compensate.]

1. To render an equivalent to, for service, loss, etc.; to requite; to remunerate; to compensate. He can not recompense me better. Shak.

2. To return an equivalent for; to give compensation for; to atone for; to pay for. God recompenseth the gift. Robynson (More's Utopia). To recompense My rash, but more unfortunate, misdeed. Milton.

3. To give in return; to pay back; to pay, as something earned or deserved. [R.] Recompense to no man evil for evil. Rom. xii. 17.

Syn. -- To repay; requite; compensate; reward; remunerate.

RECOMPENSE Rec"om*pense (rk"m*pns), v. i.

Defn: To give recompense; to make amends or requital. [Obs.]

RECOMPENSE Rec"om*pense, n. Etym: [Cf. F. récompense.]

Defn: An equivalent returned for anything done, suffered, or given; compensation; requital; suitable return. To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense. Deut. xxii. 35. And every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward. Heb. ii. 2.

Syn. -- Repayment; compensation; remuneration; amends; satisfaction; reward; requital.

RECOMPENSEMENT Rec"om*pense`ment (-pns`mnt), n.

Defn: Recompense; requital. [Obs.] Fabyan.

RECOMPENSER Rec"om*pen`ser (-pn`sr), n.

Defn: One who recompenses. A thankful recompenser of the benefits received. Foxe.

RECOMPENSIVE Rec"om*pen`sive (-sv), a.

Defn: Of the nature of recompense; serving to recompense. Sir T. Browne.

RECOMPILATION Re*com`pi*la"tion (r*km`p*l"tion), n.

Defn: A new compilation.

RECOMPILE Re`com*pile" (re`kòm*pil"), v. t.

Defn: To compile anew.

RECOMPILEMENT Re`com*pile"ment (-ment), n.

Defn: The act of recompiling; new compilation or digest; as, a recompilement of the laws. Bacon.

RECOMPOSE Re`com*pose" (-pz"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recomposed (-pzd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Recomposing.] Etym: [Pref. re- + compose: cf. F. recomposer.]

1. To compose again; to form anew; to put together again or repeatedly. The far greater number of the objects presented to our observation can only be decomposed, but not actually recomposed. Sir W. Hamilton.

2. To restore to composure; to quiet anew; to tranquilize; as, to recompose the mind. Jer. Taylor.

RECOMPOSER Re`com*pos"er (-pz"r), n.

Defn: One who recomposes.

RECOMPOSITION Re*com`po*si"tion (r*km`pzshn), n. Etym: [Cf. F. recomposition.]

Defn: The act of recomposing.

RECONCENTRADO Re*con`cen*tra"do, n. [Sp., p.p. of reconcentrar to inclose, to reconcentrate.]

Defn: Lit., one who has been reconcentrated; specif., in Cuba, the Philippines, etc., during the revolution of 1895-98, one of the rural noncombatants who were concentrated by the military authorities in areas surrounding the fortified towns, and later were reconcentrated in the smaller limits of the towns themselves.

RECONCENTRATE Re`con*cen"trate, v. t. & i.

Defn: To concentrate again; to concentrate thoroughly.

RECONCENTRATION Re*con`cen*tra"tion, n.

Defn: The act of reconcentrating or the state of being reconcentrated; esp., the act or policy of concentrating the rural population in or about towns and villages for convenience in political or military administration, as in Cuba during the revolution of 1895-98.

RECONCILABLE Rec"on*ci`la*ble (rk"n*s`l*b'l), a. Etym: [Cf. F. réconciliable.]

Defn: Capable of being reconciled; as, reconcilable adversaries; an act reconciable with previous acts. The different accounts of the numbers of ships are reconcilable. Arbuthnot. -- Rec"on*ci`la*ble*ness, n. -- Rec"on*ci`la*bly, adv.

RECONCILE Rec"on*cile` (-sl`), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reconciled (-sld`); p. pr. & vb. n. Reconciling.] Etym: [F. réconcilier, L. reconciliare; pref. re- re- + conciliare to bring together, to unite. See Conciliate.]

1. To cause to be friendly again; to conciliate anew; to restore to friendship; to bring back to harmony; to cause to be no longer at variance; as, to reconcile persons who have quarreled. Propitious now and reconciled by prayer. Dryden. The church [if defiled] is interdicted till it be reconciled [i.e., restored to sanctity] by the bishop. Chaucer. We pray you . . . be ye reconciled to God. 2 Cor. v. 20.

2. To bring to acquiescence, content, or quiet submission; as, to reconcile one's self to affictions.

3. To make consistent or congruous; to bring to agreement or suitableness; -- followed by with or to. The great men among the ancients understood how to reconcile manual labor with affairs of state. Locke. Some figures monstrous and misshaped appear, Considered singly, or beheld too near; Which, but proportioned to their light or place, Due distance reconciles to form and grace. Pope.

4. To adjust; to settle; as, to reconcile differences.

Syn. -- To reunite; conciliate; placate; propitiate; pacify; appease.

RECONCILE Rec"on*cile`, v. i.

Defn: To become reconciled. [Obs.]

RECONCILEMENT Rec"on*cile`ment (-ment), n.

Defn: Reconciliation. Milton.

RECONCILER Rec"on*ci`ler (-s`lr), n.

Defn: One who reconciles.

RECONCILIATION Rec`on*cil`i*a"tion (-sl`*"shn), n. Etym: [F. réconciliation, L. reconciliatio.]

1. The act of reconciling, or the state of being reconciled; reconcilenment; restoration to harmony; renewal of friendship. Reconciliation and friendship with God really form the basis of all rational and true enjoyment. S. Miller.

2. Reduction to congruence or consistency; removal of inconsistency; harmony. A clear and easy reconciliation of those seeming inconsistencies of Scripture. D. Rogers.

Syn. -- Reconciliment; reunion; pacification; appeasement; propitiation; atonement; expiation.

RECONCILIATORY Rec`on*cil"i*a*to*ry (-sl"**t*r), a.

Defn: Serving or tending to reconcile. Bp. Hall.

RECONDENSATION Re*con`den*sa"tion (r*kn`dn*s"shn), n.

Defn: The act or process of recondensing.

RECONDENSE Re`con*dense" (r`kn*dns"), v. t.

Defn: To condense again.

RECONDITE Rec"on*dite (rk"n*dt or r*kn"dt;277), a. Etym: [L. reconditus, p. p. of recondere to put up again, to lay up, to conceal; pref. re- re- + condere to bring or lay together. See Abscond.]

1. Hidden from the mental or intellectual view; secret; abstruse; as, recondite causes of things.

2. Dealing in things abstruse; profound; searching; as, recondite studies. "Recondite learning." Bp. Horsley.

RECONDITORY Re*con"di*to*ry (rkn"d*t*r), n. Etym: [LL. reconditorium.]

Defn: A repository; a storehouse. [Obs.] Ash.

RECONDUCT Re`con*duct" (r`kn*dkt"), v. t.

Defn: To conduct back or again. "A guide to reconduct thy steps." Dryden.

RECONFIRM Re`con*firm" (-frm"), v. t. Etym: [Pref. re- + confirm: cf. F. reconfirmer.]

Defn: To confirm anew. Clarendon.

RECONFORT Re`con*fort" (-frt"), v. t. Etym: [F. réconforter.]

Defn: To recomfort; to comfort. [Obs.] Chaucer.

RECONJOIN Re`con*join" (r`kn*join"), v. t.

Defn: To join or conjoin anew. Boyle.

RECONNOISSANCE; RECONNAISSANCE Re*con"nois*sance, Re*con"nais*sance (r-kn"ns-sns), n. Etym: [F. See Recognizance.]

Defn: The act of reconnoitering; preliminary examination or survey. Specifically: (a) (Geol.) An examination or survey of a region in reference to its general geological character. (b) (Engin.)

Defn: An examination of a region as to its general natural features, preparatory to a more particular survey for the purposes of triangulation, or of determining the location of a public work. (c) (Mil.) An examination of a territory, or of an enemy's position, for the purpose of obtaining information necessary for directing military operations; a preparatory expedition. Reconnoissance in force (Mil.), a demonstration or attack by a large force of troops for the purpose of discovering the position and strength of an enemy.

RECONNOITER; RECONNOITRE Rec`on*noi"ter, Rec`on*noi"tre (rk`n*noi"tr), v. t. Etym: [F. reconnoitre, a former spelling of reconnaître. See Recognize.]

1. To examine with the eye to make a preliminary examination or survey of; esp., to survey with a view to military or engineering operations.

2. To recognize. [Obs.] Sir H. Walpole.

RECONQUER Re*con"quer (r*kn"kr), v. t. Etym: [Pref. re- + conquer: cf. F. reconquérir.]

Defn: To conquer again; to recover by conquest; as, to reconquer a revolted province.

RECONQUEST Re*con"quest (-kwst), n.

Defn: A second conquest.

RECONSECRATE Re*con"se*crate (-kn"s*krt), v. t.

Defn: To consecrate anew or again.

RECONSECRATION Re*con`se*cra"tion, n.

Defn: Renewed consecration.

RECONSIDER Re`con*sid"er (r`kn*sd"r), v. t.

1. To consider again; as, to reconsider a subject.

2. (Parliamentary Practice)

Defn: To take up for renewed consideration, as a motion or a vote which has been previously acted upon.

RECONSIDERATION Re`con*sid`er*a"tion (-"shn), n.

Defn: The act of reconsidering, or the state of being reconsidered; as, the reconsideration of a vote in a legislative body.

RECONSOLATE Re*con"so*late (r*kn"s*lt), v. t.

Defn: To console or comfort again. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.

RECONSOLIDATE Re`con*sol"i*date (r`kn*sl"*dt), v. t.

Defn: To consolidate anew or again.

RECONSOLIDATION Re`con*sol`i*da"tion (-d"shn), n.

Defn: The act or process of reconsolidating; the state of being reconsolidated.

RECONSTRUCT Re`con*struct" (-strkt"), v. t.

Defn: To construct again; to rebuild; to remodel; to form again or anew. Regiments had been dissolved and reconstructed. Macaulay.

RECONSTRUCTION Re`con*struc"tion (-strk"shn), n.

1. The act of constructing again; the state of being reconstructed.

2. (U.S. Politics)

Defn: The act or process of reorganizing the governments of the States which had passed ordinances of secession, and of reëstablishing their constitutional relations to the national government, after the close of the Civil War.

RECONSTRUCTIVE Re`con*struct"ive (-strk"tv), a.

Defn: Reconstructing; tending to reconstruct; as, a reconstructive policy.

RECONTINUANCE Re`con*tin"u*ance (-tn"*ns), n.

Defn: The act or state of recontinuing.

RECONTINUE Re`con*tin"ue (-), v. t. & i.

Defn: To continue anew.

RECONVENE Re`con*vene" (r`kn*vn"), v. t. & i.

Defn: To convene or assemble again; to call or come together again.

RECONVENTION Re`con*ven"tion (-vn"shn), n. (Civil Law)

Defn: A cross demand; an action brought by the defendant against the plaintiff before the same judge. Burrill. Bouvier.

RECONVERSION Re`con*ver"sion (-vr"shn), n.

Defn: A second conversion.

RECONVERT Re`con*vert" (-vrt"), v. t.

Defn: To convert again. Milton.

RECONVERT Re*con"vert (r*kn"vrt), n.

Defn: A person who has been reconverted. Gladstone.

RECONVERTIBLE Re`con*vert"i*ble (r`kn*vrt"*b'l), a. (Chem.)

Defn: Capable of being reconverted; convertible again to the original form or condition.

RECONVEY Re`con*vey" (-v"), v. t.

1. To convey back or to the former place; as, to reconvey goods.

2. To transfer back to a former owner; as, to reconvey an estate.

RECONVEYANCE Re`con*vey"ance (-v"ns), n.

Defn: Act of reconveying.

RECOPY Re*cop"y (r*kp"), v. t.

Defn: To copy again.

RECORD Re*cord" (r*krd"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recorded; p. pr. & vb. n. Recording.] Etym: [OE. recorden to repeat, remind, F. recorder, fr. L. recordari to remember; pref. re- re- + cor, cordis, the heart or mind. See Cordial, Heart.]

1. To recall to mind; to recollect; to remember; to meditate. [Obs.] "I it you record." Chaucer.

2. To repeat; to recite; to sing or play. [Obs.] They longed to see the day, to hear the lark Record her hymns, and chant her carols blest. Fairfax.

3. To preserve the memory of, by committing to writing, to printing, to inscription, or the like; to make note of; to write or enter in a book or on parchment, for the purpose of preserving authentic evidence of; to register; to enroll; as, to record the proceedings of a court; to record historical events. Those things that are recorded of him . . . are written in the chronicles of the kings. 1 Esd. i. 42. To record a deed, mortgage, lease, etc., to have a copy of the same entered in the records of the office designated by law, for the information of the public.

RECORD Re*cord", v. i.

1. To reflect; to ponder. [Obs.] Praying all the way, and recording upon the words which he before had read. Fuller.

2. To sing or repeat a tune. [Obs.] Shak. Whether the birds or she recorded best. W. Browne.

RECORD Rec"ord (rk"rd), n. Etym: [OF. recort, record, remembrance, attestation, record. See Record, v. t.]

1. A writing by which same act or event, or a number of acts or events, is recorded; a register; as, a record of the acts of the Hebrew kings; a record of the variations of temperature during a certain time; a family record.

2. Especially: (a) An official contemporaneous writing by which the acts of some public body, or public officer, are recorded; as, a record of city ordinances; the records of the receiver of taxes. (b) An authentic official copy of a document which has been entered in a book, or deposited in the keeping of some officer designated by law. (c) An official contemporaneous memorandum stating the proceedings of a court of justice; a judicial record. (d) The various legal papers used in a case, together with memoranda of the proceedings of the court; as, it is not permissible to allege facts not in the record.

3. Testimony; witness; attestation. John bare record, saying. John i. 32 .

4. That which serves to perpetuate a knowledge of acts or events; a monument; a memorial.

5. That which has been, or might be, recorded; the known facts in the course, progress, or duration of anything, as in the life of a public man; as, a politician with a good or a bad record.

6. That which has been publicly achieved in any kind of competitive sport as recorded in some authoritative manner, as the time made by a winning horse in a race. Court of record (pron. rin Eng.), a court whose acts and judicial proceedings are written on parchment or in books for a perpetual memorial. -- Debt of record, a debt which appears to be due by the evidence of a court of record, as upon a judgment or a cognizance. -- Trial by record, a trial which is had when a matter of record is pleaded, and the opposite party pleads that there is no such record. In this case the trial is by inspection of the record itself, no other evidence being admissible. Blackstone. -- To beat, or break, the record (Sporting), to surpass any performance of like kind as authoritatively recorded; as, to break the record in a walking match.

RECORDANCE Re*cord"ance (r*krd"ns), n.

Defn: Remembrance. [Obs.]

RECORDATION Rec`or*da"tion (rk`r*d"shn), n. Etym: [L. recordatio: cf. F. recordation. See Record, v. t.]

Defn: Remembrance; recollection; also, a record. [Obs.] Shak.

RECORDER Re*cord"er (r*krd"r), n.

1. One who records; specifically, a person whose official duty it is to make a record of writings or transactions.

2. The title of the chief judical officer of some cities and boroughs; also, of the chief justice of an East Indian settlement. The Recorder of London is judge of the Lord Mayor's Court, and one of the commissioners of the Central Criminal Court.

3. (Mus.)

Defn: A kind of wind instrument resembling the flageolet. [Obs.] "Flutes and soft recorders." Milton.

RECORDERSHIP Re*cord"er*ship, n.

Defn: The office of a recorder.

RECORDING Re*cord"ing, a.

Defn: Keeping a record or a register; as, a recording secretary; -- applied to numerous instruments with an automatic appliance which makes a record of their action; as, a recording gauge or telegraph.

RECORPORIFICATION Re`cor*por`i*fi*ca"tion (r`kr*pr`*f*k"shn), n.

Defn: The act of investing again with a body; the state of being furnished anew with a body. [R.] Boyle.

RECOUCH Re*couch" (r*kouch"), v. i. Etym: [Pref. re- + couch: cf. F. recoucher.]

Defn: To retire again to a couch; to lie down again. [Obs.] Sir H. Wotton.

RECOUNT Re*count" (r*kount"), v. t. Etym: [Pref. re- + count.]

Defn: To count or reckon again.

RECOUNT Re*count", n.

Defn: A counting again, as of votes.

RECOUNT Re*count" (r*kount"), v. t. Etym: [F. raconter to relate, to recount; pref. re- again + ad.) + conter to relate. See Count, v.]

Defn: To tell over; to relate in detail; to recite; to tell or narrate the particulars of; to rehearse; to enumerate; as, to recount one's blessings. Dryden. To all his angels, who, with true applause, Recount his praises. Milton.

RECOUNTMENT Re*count`ment (-mnt), n.

Defn: Recital. [Obs.] Shak.

RECOUP; RECOUPE Re*coup", Re*coupe" (-kp"), v. t. Etym: [F. recouper; pref. re- re- + couper to cut.]

1. (Law)

Defn: To keep back rightfully (a part), as if by cutting off, so as to diminish a sum due; to take off (a part) from damages; to deduct; as, where a landlord recouped the rent of premises from damages awarded to the plaintiff for eviction.

2. To get an equivalent or compensation for; as, to recoup money lost at the gaming table; to recoup one's losses in the share market.

3. To reimburse; to indemnify; -- often used reflexively and in the passive. Elizabeth had lost her venture; but if she was bold, she might recoup herself at Philip's cost. Froude. Industry is sometimes recouped for a small price by extensive custom. Duke of Argyll.

RECOUPER Re*coup"er (r*kp"r), n.

Defn: One who recoups. Story.

RECOUPMENT Re*coup"ment (-mnt), n.

Defn: The act of recouping.

Note: Recoupment applies to equities growing out of the very affair from which thw principal demand arises, set-off to cross-demands which may be independent in origin. Abbott.

RECOURSE Re*course" (r*krs"), n. Etym: [F. recours, L. recursus a running back, return, fr. recurrere, recursum, to run back. See Recur.]

1. A coursing back, or coursing again, along the line of a previous coursing; renewed course; return; retreat; recurence. [Obs.] "Swift recourse of flushing blood." Spenser. Unto my first I will have my recourse. Chaucer. Preventive physic . . . preventeth sickness in the healthy, or the recourse thereof in the valetudinary. Sir T. Browne.

2. Recurrence in difficulty, perplexity, need, or the like; access or application for aid; resort. Thus died this great peer, in a time of great recourse unto him and dependence upon him. Sir H. Wotton. Our last recourse is therefore to our art. Dryden.

3. Access; admittance. [Obs.] Give me recourse to him. Shak. Without recourse (Commerce), words sometimes added to the indorsement of a negotiable instrument to protect the indorser from liability to the indorsee and subsequent holders. It is a restricted indorsement.

RECOURSE Re*course", v. i.

1. To return; to recur. [Obs.] The flame departing and recoursing. Foxe.

2. To have recourse; to resort. [Obs.] Bp. Hacket.

RECOURSEFUL Re*course"ful (-fl), a.

Defn: Having recurring flow and ebb; moving alternately. [Obs.] Drayton.

RECOVER Re*cov"er (r*kv"r), v. t. Etym: [Pref. re- + cover: cf. F. recouvrir.]

Defn: To cover again. Sir W. Scott.

RECOVER Re*cov"er (r*kv"r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recovered (-rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Recovering. ] Etym: [OE. recoveren, OF. recovrer, F. recouvrer, from L. recuperare; pref. re- re + a word of unknown origin. Cf.Recuperate.]

1. To get or obtain again; to get renewed possession of; to win back; to regain. David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away. 1. Sam. xxx. 18.

2. To make good by reparation; to make up for; to retrieve; to repair the loss or injury of; as, to recover lost time. "Loss of catel may recovered be." Chaucer. Even good men have many failings and lapses to lament and recover. Rogers.

3. To restore from sickness, faintness, or the like; to bring back to life or health; to cure; to heal. The wine in my bottle will recover him. Shak.

4. To overcome; to get the better of, -- as a state of mind or body. I do hope to recover my late hurt. Cowley. When I had recovered a little my first surprise. De Foe.

5. To rescue; to deliver. That they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him. 2. Tim. ii. 26.

6. To gain by motion or effort; to obtain; to reach; to come to. [Archaic] The forest is not three leagues off; If we recover that, we're sure enough. Shak. Except he could recover one of the Cities of Refuge he was to die. Hales.

7. (Law)

Defn: To gain as a compensation; to obtain in return for injury or debt; as, to recover damages in trespass; to recover debt and costs in a suit at law; to obtain title to by judgement in a court of law; as, to recover lands in ejectment or common recovery; to gain by legal process; as, to recover judgement against a defendant. Recover arms (Mil. Drill), a command whereby the piece is brought from the position of "aim" to that of "ready."

Syn. -- To regain; repossess; resume; retrieve; recruit; heal; cure.

RECOVER Re*cov"er (r*kv"r), v. i.

1. To regain health after sickness; to grow well; to be restored or cured; hence, to regain a former state or condition after misfortune, alarm, etc.; -- often followed by of or from; as, to recover from a state of poverty; to recover from fright. Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover of this disease. 2 Kings i. 2.

2. To make one's way; to come; to arrive. [Obs.] With much ado the Christians recovered to Antioch. Fuller.

3. (Law)

Defn: To obtain a judgement; to succeed in a lawsuit; as, the plaintiff has recovered in his suit.

RECOVER Re*cov"er, n.

Defn: Recovery. Sir T. Malory.

RECOVERABLE Re*cov"er*a*ble (-*b'l), a. Etym: [Cf. F. recouvrable.]

Defn: Capable of being recovered or regained; capable of being brought back to a former condition, as from sickness, misfortune, etc.; obtainable from a debtor or possessor; as, the debt is recoverable; goods lost or sunk in the ocean are not recoverable. A prodigal course Is like the sun's; but not, like his, recoverable. Shak. If I am recoverable, why am I thus Cowper. -- Re*cov"er*a*ble*ness, n.

RECOVERANCE Re*cov"er*ance (ans), n.

Defn: Recovery. [Obs.]

RECOVEREE Re*cov`er*ee" (-"), n. (Law)

Defn: The person against whom a judgment is obtained in common recovery.

RECOVERER Re*cov"er*er (r*kv"r*r), n.

Defn: One who recovers.

RECOVEROR Re*cov`er*or" (-r), n. (Law)

Defn: The demandant in a common recovery after judgment. Wharton.

RECOVERY Re*cov"er*y (r*kv"r*), n.

1. The act of recovering, regaining, or retaking possession.

2. Restoration from sickness, weakness, faintness, or the like; restoration from a condition of mistortune, of fright, etc.

3. (Law)

Defn: The obtaining in a suit at law of a right to something by a verdict and judgment of court.

4. The getting, or gaining, of something not previously had. [Obs.] "Help be past recovery." Tusser.

5. In rowing, the act of regaining the proper position for making a new stroke. Common recovery (Law), a species of common assurance or mode of conveying lands by matter of record, through the forms of an action at law, formerly in frequent use, but now abolished or obsolete, both in England and America. Burrill. Warren.

RECREANCE Rec"re*ance (rk"r*ns), n.

Defn: Recreancy.

RECREANCY Rec"re*an*cy (-an*s), n.

Defn: The quality or state of being recreant.

RECREANT Rec"re*ant (-ant), a. Etym: [OF., cowardly, fr. recroire, recreire, to forsake, leave, tire, discourage, regard as conquered, LL. recredere se to declare one's self conquered in combat; hence, those are called recrediti or recreanti who are considered infamous; L. pref. re- again, back + credere to believe, to be of opinion; hence, originally, to disavow one's opinion. See Creed.]

1. Crying for mercy, as a combatant in the trial by battle; yielding; cowardly; mean-spirited; craven. "This recreant knight." Spenser.

2. Apostate; false; unfaithful. Who, for so many benefits received, Turned recreant to God, ingrate and false. Milton.

RECREANT Rec"re*ant, n.

Defn: One who yields in combat, and begs for mercy; a mean-spirited, cowardly wretch. Blackstone. You are all recreants and dastards! Shak.

RE-CREATE Re`-cre*ate" (r`kr*t"), v. t. Etym: [Pref. re- + create.]

Defn: To create or form anew. On opening the campaign of 1776, instead of reënforcing, it was necessary to re-create, the army. Marshall.

RECREATE Rec"re*ate (rk"r*t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recreated (-`td); p. pr. & vb. n. Recreating.] Etym: [L. recreatus, p. p. of recreate to create anew, to refresh; pref. re- re- + creare to create. See Create.]

Defn: To give fresh life to; to reanimate; to revive; especially, to refresh after wearying toil or anxiety; to relieve; to cheer; to divert; to amuse; to gratify. Painters, when they work on white grounds, place before them colors mixed with blue and green, to recreate their eyes, white wearying . . . the sight more than any. Dryden. St. John, who recreated himself with sporting with a tame partridge. Jer. Taylor. These ripe fruits recreate the nostrils with their aromatic scent. Dr. H. More.

RECREATE Rec"re*ate, v. i.

Defn: To take recreation. L. Addison.

RECREATION Rec"re*a"tion (-"shn), n. Etym: [F. récréation, L. recreatio.]

Defn: The act of recreating, or the state of being recreated; refreshment of the strength and spirits after toil; amusement; diversion; sport; pastime.

RE-CREATION Re`-*cre*a"tion (r`kr*shn), n. Etym: [See Re-create.]

Defn: A forming anew; a new creation or formation.

RE-CREATION Re`-cre*a"tion (r`kr*shn), n. [See Re-create.]

Defn: A forming anew; a new creation or formation.

RE-CREATIVE Re`-cre*a"tive (-`tv), a.

Defn: Creating anew; as, re-creative power.

RECREATIVE Rec"re*a`tive (rk"r*`tv), a. Etym: [Cf. F. récr. See Recreate.]

Defn: Tending to recreate or refresh; recreating; giving new vigor or animation; reinvigorating; giving relief after labor or pain; amusing; diverting. Let the music of them be recreative. Bacon. --- Rec"re*a`tive*ly, adv. -- Rec"re*a`tive*ness, n.

RECREMENT Rec"re*ment (rk"r*ment), n. Etym: [L. recrementum; pref. re- re- + cernere, cretum, to separate, sift: cf. F. récrément.]

1. Superfluous matter separated from that which is useful; dross; scoria; as, the recrement of ore.

2. (Med.) (a) Excrement. [Obs.] (a) A substance secreted from the blood and again absorbed by it.

RECREMENTAL Rec`re*men"tal (-mn"tal), a.

Defn: Recrementitious.

RECREMENTITIAL Rec`re*men*ti"tial (-mn*tsh"al), a. Etym: [Cf. F. récrémentitiel.] (Med.)

Defn: Of the nature of a recrement. See Recrement,2 (b). "Recrementitial fluids." Dunglison.

RECREMENTITIOUS Rec`re*men*ti"tious (-tsh"s), a.

Defn: Of or pertaining to recrement; consisting of recrement or dross. Boyle.

RECRIMINATE Re*crim"i*nate (r*krm"*nt), v. i. Etym: [Pref. re- + criminate: cf. F. récriminer ,LL. recriminare.]

Defn: To return one charge or accusation with another; to chargeback fault or crime upon an accuser. It is not my business to recriminate, hoping sufficiently toBp. Stillingfleet.

RECRIMINATE Re*crim"i*nate, v. t.

Defn: To accuse in return. South.

RECRIMINATION Re*crim`i*na"tion (-n"shn), n. Etym: [F. récrimination, LL. recriminatio.]

Defn: The act of recriminating; an accusation brought by the accused against the accuser; a counter accusation. Accusations and recriminations passed back ward and forward between the contending parties. Macaulay.

RECRIMINATIVE Re*crim"i*na*tive (-n*tv), a.

Defn: Recriminatory.

RECRIMINATOR Re*crim"i*na`tor (-n`tr), n.

Defn: One who recriminates.

RECRIMINATORY Re*crim"i*na*to*ry (-n*t*r), a. Etym: [Cf. F. récriminatoire.]

Defn: Having the quality of recrimination; retorting accusation; recriminating.

RECROSS Re*cross" (r*krs";115), v. t.

Defn: To cross a second time.

RECRUDENCY Re*cru"den*cy (r*kr"den*s), n.

Defn: Recrudescence.

RECRUDESCE Re`cru*desce", v. i. [See Recrudescent.]

Defn: To be in a state of recrudescence; esp., to come into renewed freshness, vigor, or activity; to revive.

The general influence . . . which is liable every now and then to recrudesce in his absence. Edmund Gurney.

RECRUDESCENCE; RECRUDESCENCY Re`cru*des"cence (r`kr*ds"sens), Re`cru*des`cen*cy (-ds"sen*s), n. Etym: [Cf. F. recrudescence.]

1. The state or condition of being recrudescent. A recrudescence of barbarism may condemn it [land] to chronic poverty and waste. Duke of Argyll.

2. (Med.)

Defn: Increased severity of a disease after temporary remission. Dunglison.

RECRUDESCENT Re`cru*des"cent (-sent), a. Etym: [L. recrudescens, -entis, p.pr. of recrudescere to become raw again; pref. re- re- + crudescere to become hard or raw: cf. F. recrudescent.]

1. Growing raw, sore, or painful again.

2. Breaking out again after temporary abatement or supression; as, a recrudescent epidemic.

RECRUIT Re*cruit" (r*krt"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recruited; p. pr. & vb. n. Recruiting.] Etym: [F. recruter, corrupted (under influence of recrue recruiting, recruit, from recro, p.p. recr, to grow again) from an older recluter, properly, to patch, to mend (a garment); pref. re- + OF. clut piece, piece of cloth; cf. Icel. kl kerchief, E. clout.]

1. To repair by fresh supplies, as anything wasted; to remedy lack or deficiency in; as, food recruits the flesh; fresh air and exercise recruit the spirits. Her cheeks glow the brighter, recruiting their color. Glanvill.

2. Hence, to restore the wasted vigor of; to renew in strength or health; to reinvigorate.

3. To supply with new men, as an army; to fill up or make up by enlistment; as, he recruited two regiments; the army was recruited for a campaign; also, to muster; to enlist; as, he recruited fifty men. M. Arnold.

RECRUIT Re*cruit", v. i.

1. To gain new supplies of anything wasted; to gain health, flesh, spirits, or the like; to recuperate; as, lean cattle recruit in fresh pastures.

2. To gain new supplies of men for military or other service; to raise or enlist new soldiers; to enlist troops.

RECRUIT Re*cruit", n.

1. A supply of anything wasted or exhausted; a reënforcement. The state is to have recruits to its strength, and remedies to its distempers. Burke.

2. Specifically, a man enlisted for service in the army; a newly enlisted soldier.

RECRUITER Re*cruit"er, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, recruits.

RECRUITMENT Re*cruit"ment (-ment), n.

Defn: The act or process of recruiting; especially, the enlistment of men for an army.

RECRYSTALLIZATION Re*crys`tal*li*za"tion (r*krs`tal*z"shn), n. (Chem. & Min.)

Defn: The process or recrystallizing.

RECRYSTALLIZE Re*crys"tal*lize (r*krs"tal*lz), v. i. & t. (Chem. & Min.)

Defn: To crystallize again. Henry.

RECTAL Rec"tal (rk"tal), a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the rectum; in the region of the rectum.

RECTANGLE Rec"tan`gle (rk"t`g'l), n. Etym: [F., fr. L. rectus right + angulus angle. See Right, and Angle.] (Geom.)

Defn: A four-sided figure having only right angles; a right-angled parallelogram.

Note: As the area of a rectangle is expressed by the product of its two dimensions, the term rectangle is sometimes used for product; as, the rectangle of a and b, that is, ab.

RECTANGLE Rec"tan`gle, a.

Defn: Rectangular. [R.]

RECTANGLED Rec"tan`gled (-g'ld), a.

Defn: Rectangular. Hutton.

RECTANGULAR Rec*tan"gu*lar (rk*tn"g*lr), a. Etym: [CF. F. rectangulaire.]

Defn: Right-angled; having one or more angles of ninety degrees. -- Rec*tan"gu*lar*ly (r, adv. -- Rec*tan"gu*lar*ness, n.

RECTANGULARITY Rec*tan`gu*lar"i*ty (-lr"*t), n.

Defn: The quality or condition of being rectangular, or right-angled.

RECTI- Rec"ti- (rk"t*). Etym: [L. rectus straight.]

Defn: A combining form signifying straight; as, rectilineal, having straight lines; rectinerved.

RECTIFIABLE Rec"ti*fi`a*ble (rk"t*f`*b'l), a.

1. Capable of being rectified; as, a rectifiable mistake.

2. (Math.)

Defn: Admitting, as a curve, of the construction of a straight l

RECTIFICATION Rec`ti*fi*ca"tion (rk`t*f*k1shn), n. Etym: [Cf. F. rectification.]

1. The act or operation of rectifying; as, the rectification of an error; the rectification of spirits. After the rectification of his views, he was incapable of compromise with profounder shapes of error. De Quincey.

2. (Geom.)

Defn: The determination of a straight line whose length is equal a portion of a curve. Rectification of a globe (Astron.), its adjustment preparatory to the solution of a proposed problem.

RECTIFICATOR Rec"ti*fi*ca`tor (rk"t*f*k`tr), n. (Chem.)

Defn: That which rectifies or refines; esp., a part of a distilling apparatus in which the more volatile portions are separated from the less volatile by the process of evaporation and condensation; a rectifier.

RECTIFIER Rec"ti*fi`er (rk"t*f`r), n.

1. One who, or that which, rectifies.

2. Specifically: (a) (Naut.) An instrument used for determining and rectifying the variations of the compass on board ship. (b) (Chem.) A rectificator.

RECTIFY Rec"ti*fy (-f), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rectified (-fd); p. pr. & vb. n. Rectifying (-f`ng).] Etym: [F. rectifier, LL. rectificare; L. rectus right + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Right, and -fy.]

1. To make or set right; to correct from a wrong, erroneous, or false state; to amend; as, to rectify errors, mistakes, or abuses; to rectify the will, the judgment, opinions; to rectify disorders. I meant to rectify my conscience. Shak. This was an error of opinion which a conflicting opinion would have rectified. Burke.

2. (Chem.)

Defn: To refine or purify by repeated distillation or sublimation, by which the fine parts of a substance are separated from the grosser; as, to rectify spirit of wine.

3. (Com.)

Defn: To produce ( as factitious gin or brandy) by redistilling low wines or ardent spirits (whisky, rum, etc.), flavoring substances, etc., being added. To rectify a globe, to adjust it in order to prepare for the solution of a proposed problem.

Syn. -- To amend; emend; correct; better; mend; reform; redress; adjust; regulate; improve. See Amend.

RECTILINEAL; RECTILINEAR Rec`ti*lin"e*al, Rec`ti*lin"e*ar (-ln"*r), a. Etym: [Recti- + lineal, linear.]

Defn: Straight; consisting of a straight line or lines; bounded by straight lines; as, a rectineal angle; a rectilinear figure or course. -- Rec`ti*lin"e*al*ly, adv. -- Rec`ti*lin"e*ar*ly, adv.

RECTILINEARITY Rec`ti*lin`e*ar"i*ty (-r"*t), n.

Defn: The quality or state of being rectilinear. Coleridge.

RECTILINEOUS Rec`ti*lin"e*ous (-s), a.

Defn: Rectilinear. [Obs.] Ray.

RECTINERVED Rec"ti*nerved` (rk"t*nrrvd`), a. Etym: [Recti- + nerve.] (Bot.)

Defn: Having the veins or nerves straight; -- said of leaves.

RECTION Rec"tion (rk"shn), n. Etym: [L. rectio, fr. regere to rule or govern.] (Gram.)

Defn: See Government, n., 7. Gibbs.

RECTIROSTRAL Rec`ti*ros"tral (rk`t*rs"tral), a. Etym: [Recti- + rostral.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having a straight beak.

RECTISERIAL Rec`ti*se"ri*al (-s"r*al), a. Etym: [Recti- + serial.] (Bot.)

Defn: Arranged in exactly vertical ranks, as the leaves on stems of many kinds; -- opposed to curviserial.

RECTITIS Rec*ti"tis (rk*t"ts), n. Etym: [NL. See Rectum, and -itis.] (Med.)

Defn: Proctitis. Dunglison.

RECTITUDE Rec"ti*tude (rk"t*td), n. Etym: [L. rectitudo, fr. rectus right, straight: cf. F. rectitude. See Right.]

1. Straightness. [R.] Johnson.

2. Rightness of principle or practice; exact conformity to truth, or to the rules prescribed for moral conduct, either by divine or human laws; uprightness of mind; uprightness; integrity; honesty; justice.

3. Right judgment. [R.] Sir G. C. Lewis.

Syn. -- See Justice.

RECTO- Rec"to- (rk"t*).

Defn: A combining form indicating connection with, or relation to, the rectum; as, recto-vesical.

RECTO Rec"to, n. Etym: [Abbrev. fr. LL. breve de recto. See Right.] (Law)

Defn: A writ of right.

RECTO Rec"to, n. Etym: [Cf. F. recto.] (Print.)

Defn: The right-hand page; -- opposed to verso.

RECTOR Rec"tor (rk"tr), n. Etym: [L., fr. regere, rectum, to lead straight, to rule: cf. F. recteur. See Regiment, Right.]

1. A ruler or governor.[R.] God is the supreme rector of the world. Sir M. Hale.

2. (a) (Ch. of Eng.) A clergyman who has the charge and cure of a parish, and has the tithes, etc.; the clergyman of a parish where the tithes are not impropriate. See the Note under Vicar. Blackstone. (b) (Prot. Epis. Ch.)

Defn: A clergyman in charge of a parish.

3. The head master of a public school. [Scot.]

4. The chief elective officer of some universities, as in France and Scotland; sometimes, the head of a college; as, the Rector of Exeter College, or of Lincoln College, at Oxford.

5. (R.C.CH.)

Defn: The superior officer or chief of a convent or religious house; and among the Jesuits the superior of a house that is a seminary or college.

RECTORAL Rec"tor*al (-al), a. Etym: [CF. F. rectoral.]

Defn: Pertaining to a rector or governor.

RECTORATE Rec"tor*ate (-t), n. Etym: [LL. rectoratus: cf. F. rectorat.]

Defn: The office, rank, or station of a rector; rectorship.

RECTORESS Rec"tor*ess, n.

1. A governess; a rectrix. Drayton.

2. The wife of a rector. Thackeray.

RECTORIAL Rec*to"ri*al (rk*t"r*al), a.

Defn: Pertaining to a rector or a rectory; rectoral. Shipley.

RECTORSHIP Rec"tor*ship (rk"tr*shp), n.

1. Government; guidance. [Obs.] "The rectorship of judgment." Shak.

2. The office or rank of a rector; rectorate.

RECTORY Rec"to*ry (-t*r), n.; pl. Rectories (-r. Etym: [Cf. OF. rectorie or rectorerie, LL. rectoria.]

1. The province of a rector; a parish church, parsonage, or spiritual living, with all its rights, tithes, and glebes.

2. A rector's mansion; a parsonage house.

RECTO-UTERINE Rec`to-u"ter*ine (-"tr*n or *n), a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to both the rectum and the uterus.

RECTOVAGINAL Rec`to*vag"i*nal (rk`t*vj"*nal), a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to both the rectum and the vagina.

RECTO-VESICAL Rec`to-ves"i*cal (-vs"*kal), a. (Anat.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to both the rectum and the bladder.

RECTRESS Rec"tress (rk"trs), n.

Defn: A rectoress. B. Jonson.

RECTRIX Rec"trix (-trks), n.; pl. Rectrices (-tr. Etym: [L., fem. of rector.]

1. A governess; a rectoress.

2. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the quill feathers of the tail of a bird.

RECTUM Rec"tum (-tm), n. Etym: [NL. (sc. intestinum), fr. L. rectus straight. See Right.] (Anat.)

Defn: The terminal part of the large intestine; -- so named because supposed by the old anatomists to be straight. See Illust. under Digestive.

RECTUS Rec"tus (-ts), n.; pl. Recti (-t. Etym: [NL., fr. L. regere to keep straight.] (Anat.)

Defn: A straight muscle; as, the recti of the eye.

RECUBATION Rec`u*ba"tion (rk`*b"shn), n. Etym: [L. recubare to lie upon the back.]

Defn: Recumbence. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

RECULE Re*cule" (r*kl"), v. i.

Defn: To recoil. [Obs.] Spenser.

RECULE; RECULEMENT Re*cule" (r*kl"), Re*cule"ment (-ment), n. Etym: [F. reculement.]

Defn: Recoil. [Obs.]

RECUMB Re*cumb" (-km"), v. i. Etym: [L. recumbere; pref. re- back + cumbere (in comp.), akin to cubare to lie down.]

Defn: To lean; to recline; to repose. [Obs.] J. Allen (1761).

RECUMBENCE Re*cum"bence (r*km"bens), n.

Defn: The act of leaning, resting, or reclining; the state of being recumbent.

RECUMBENCY Re*cum"ben*cy (-ben*s), n.

Defn: Recumbence.

RECUMBENT Re*cum"bent (-bet), a. Etym: [L. recumbens, -entis, p. pr. of recumbere. See Recumb, Incumbent.]

Defn: Leaning; reclining; lying; as, the recumbent posture of the Romans at their meals. Hence, figuratively; Resting; inactive; idle. -- Re*cum"bent*ly, adv.

RECUPERABLE Re*cu"per*a*ble (r*k"pr**b'l), a. Etym: [Cf.F. récup. See Recover.]

Defn: Recoverable. Sir T. Elyot.

RECUPERATE Re*cu"per*ate (-t), v. i. [imp. &. p. p. Recuperated (-`td); p. pr. & vb. n. Recuperating.] Etym: [L.recuperatus,p.p. of recuperare. See Recover to get again.]

Defn: To recover health; to regain strength; to convalesce.

RECUPERATE Re*cu"per*ate, v. t.

Defn: To recover; to regain; as, to recuperate the health or strength.

RECUPERATION Re*cu`per*a"tion (-`shn), n.. Etym: [L. recuperatio: cf. F. récup.]

Defn: Recovery, as of anything lost, especially of the health or strength.

RECUPERATIVE; RECUPERATORY Re*cu"per*a*tive (-*tv), Re*cu"per*a*to*ry (-*t*r), a. Etym: [L. recuperativus, recuperatorius.]

Defn: Of or pertaining to recuperation; tending to recovery.

RECUPERATOR Re*cu"per*a`tor (r*k"ppr*`tr), n. Etym: [Cf. L. recuperator a recoverer.] (Steel Manuf.)

Defn: Same as Regenerator.

RECUR Re*cur" (r*kr"), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Recurred (-krd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Recurring.] Etym: [L. recurrere; pref.re- re- + currere to run. See Current.]

1. To come back; to return again or repeatedly; to come again to mind. When any word has been used to signify an idea, the old idea will recur in the mind when the word is heard. I. Watts.

2. To occur at a stated interval, or according to some regular rule; as, the fever will recur to-night.

3. To resort; to have recourse; to go for help. If, to avoid succession in eternal existence, they recur to the "punctum stans" of the schools, they will thereby very little help us to a more positive idea of infinite duration. Locke. Recurring decimal (Math.), a circulating decimal. See under Decimal. -- Recurring series (Math.), an algebraic series in which the coefficients of the several terms can be expressed by means of certain preceding coefficients and constants in one uniform manner.

RECURE Re*cure" (r*kr"), v. t. Etym: [Cf. Recover.]

1. To arrive at; to reach; to attain. [Obs.] Lydgate.

2. To recover; to regain; to repossess. [Obs.] When their powers, impaired through labor long, With due repast, they had recured well. Spenser.

3. To restore, as from weariness, sickness; or the like; to repair. In western waves his weary wagon did recure. Spenser.

4. To be a cure for; to remedy. [Obs.] No medicine Might avail his sickness to recure. Lydgate.

RECURE Re*cure", n.

Defn: Cure; remedy; recovery. [Obs.] But whom he hite, without recure he dies. Fairfax.

RECURELESS Re*cure"less, a.

Defn: Incapable of cure. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

RECURRENCE; RECURRENCY Re*cur"rence, Re*cur"ren*cy, n. Etym: [Cf. F. récurrence.]

Defn: The act of recurring, or state of being recurrent; return; resort; recourse. I shall insensibly go on from a rare to a frequent recurrence to the dangerous preparations. I. Taylor.

RECURRENT Re*cur"rent (-rent), a. Etym: [L. recurrens, -entis, p. pr. of recurrere: cf.F. récurrent. See Recur.]

1. Returning from time to time; recurring; as, recurrent pains.

2. (Anat.)

Defn: Running back toward its origin; as, a recurrent nerve or artery. Recurrent fever. (Med.) See Relapsing fever, under Relapsing. -- Recurrent pulse (Physiol.), the pulse beat which appears (when the radial artery is compressed at the wrist) on the distal side of the point of pressure through the arteries of the palm of the hand. -- Recurrent sensibility (Physiol.), the sensibility manifested by the anterior, or motor, roots of the spinal cord (their stimulation causing pain) owing to the presence of sensory fibers from the corresponding sensory or posterior roots.

RECURSANT Re*cur"sant (r*kr"sant), a. Etym: [L. recursans, -antis, p. pr. of recursare to run back, v. freq. of recurrere. See Recure.] (Her.)

Defn: Displayed with the back toward the spectator; -- said especially of an eagle.

RECURSION Re*cur"sion (-shn), n. Etym: [L. recursio. See Recur.]

Defn: The act of recurring; return. [Obs.] Boyle.

RECURVATE Re*cur"vate (r*kr"vt), a. Etym: [L. recurvatus, p. p. of recurvare. See Re-, and Curvate.] (Bot.)

Defn: Recurved.

RECURVATE Re*cur"vate (-vt), v. t.

Defn: To bend or curve back; to recurve. Pennant.

RECURVATION Re`cur*va"tion (r`kr*v"shn), n.

Defn: The act of recurving, or the state of being recurved; a bending or flexure backward.

RECURVE Re*curve" (r*krv"), v. t.

Defn: To curve in an opposite or unusual direction; to bend back or down.

RECURVED Re*curved" (r*krvd"), a.

Defn: Curved in an opposite or uncommon direction; bent back; as, a bird with a recurved bill; flowers with recurved petals.

RECURVIROSTER Re*cur`vi*ros"ter (r*kr`v*rs"tr), n. Etym: [L. recurvus bent back + rostrum beack; cf. F. récurvirostre.] (Zool.)

Defn: A bird whose beak bends upward, as the avocet.

RECURVIROSTRAL Re*cur`vi*ros"tral (-tral), a. Etym: [See Recurviroster.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Having the beak bent upwards.

RECURVITY Re*cur"vi*ty (r*kr"v*t), n.

Defn: Recurvation.

RECURVOUS Re*cur"vous (-vs), a. Etym: [L. recurvus; pref. re- re + curvus curved.]

Defn: Recurved. Derham.

RECUSANCY Re*cu"san*cy (r*k"zan*s or rk"-), n.

Defn: The state of being recusant; nonconformity. Coke.

RECUSANT Re*cu"sant (-zat; 277), a.Etym: [L. recusans, -antis, p.pr. of recure to refuse, to oject to; pref. re- re + causa a cause, pretext: cf. F. récusant. See Cause, and cf. Ruse.]

Defn: Obstinate in refusal; specifically, in English history, refusing to acknowledge the supremacy of the king in the churc, or to conform to the established rites of the church; as, a recusant lord. It stated him to have placed his son in the household of the Countess of Derby, a recusant papist. Sir W. Scott.

RECUSANT Re*cu"sant, n.

1. One who is obstinate in refusal; one standing out stubbornly against general practice or opinion. The last rebellious recusants among the European family of nations. De Quincey.

2. (Eng. Hist.)

Defn: A person who refuses to acknowledge the supremacy of the king in matters of religion; as, a Roman Catholic recusant, who acknowledges the supremacy of the pope. Brande & C.

3. One who refuses communion with the Church of England; a nonconformist. All that are recusants of holy rites. Holyday.

RECUSATION Re`cu*sa"tion (rk`*z"shn), n. Etym: [L. recusatio: cf. F. récusation.]

1. Refusal. [Obs.]

2. (Old Law)

Defn: The act of refusing a judge or challenging that he shall not try the cause, on account of his supposed partiality. Blackstone.

RECUSATIVE Re*cu"sa*tive (r*k"z*tv), a.

Defn: Refusing; denying; negative. [R.] Jer. Taylor.

RECUSE Re*cuse" (r*kz"), v. t. Etym: [F. récuser, or L. recusare. See Recusant.] (Law)

Defn: To refuse or reject, as a judge; to challenge that the judge shall not try the cause. [Obs.] Sir K. Digby.

RECUSSION Re*cus"sion (r*ksh"n), n. Etym: [L. recutire, recussum, to beat back; pref. re- re- + quatere to shake.]

Defn: The act of beating or striking back.

RED Red (rd), obs.

Defn: . imp. & p. p. of Read. Spenser.

RED Red, v. t.

Defn: To put on order; to make tidy; also, to free from entanglement or embarrassement; -- generally with up; as, to red up a house. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

RED Red, a. [Compar. Redder (-dr); superl. Reddest.] Etym: [OE. red, reed, AS. re, re; akin to OS. r, OFries, r, D. rood, G. roht, rot, OHG. r, Dan. & Sw. r, Icel. rau, rj, Goth. r, W. rhudd, Armor. ruz, Ir. & Gael. ruadh, L. ruber, rufus, Gr. , Skr. rudhira, rohita; cf. L. rutilus. sq. root113. Cr. Erysipelas, Rouge, Rubric, Ruby, Ruddy, Russet, Rust.]

Defn: Of the color of blood, or of a tint resembling that color; of the hue of that part of the rainbow, or of the solar spectrum, which is furthest from the violet part. "Fresh flowers, white and reede." Chaucer. Your color, I warrant you, is as red as any rose. Shak.

Note: Red is a general term, including many different shades or hues, as scarlet, crimson, vermilion, orange red, and the like.