Chapter CCCLXXVIII: Prologue (29)

Defn: A group of Coleoptera having a snoutlike head; the snout beetles, curculios, or weevils.

RHYNCHOPHORE Rhyn"cho*phore, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: One of the Rhynchophora.

RHYNCHOTA Rhyn*cho"ta, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. "ry`gchos snout.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Hemiptera. [Written also Rhyncota.]

RHYOLITE Rhy"o*lite, n. Etym: [Gr. -lite.] (Min.)

Defn: A quartzose trachyte, an igneous rock often showing a fluidal structure. -- Rhy`o*lit"ic, a.

RHYPAROGRAPHY Rhy`pa*rog"ra*phy, n. Etym: [Gr. "ryparo`s filthy, dirty + gra`fein to write, paint.]

Defn: In ancient art, the painting of genre or still-life pictures.

RHYSIMETER Rhy*sim"e*ter, n. Etym: [Gr. -meter.]

Defn: An instrument, acting on the principle of Pitot's tube, for measuring the velocity of a fluid current, the speed of a ship, etc.

RHYTHM Rhythm, n. Etym: [F. rhythme, rythme, L. rhythmus, fr. GR. Stream.]

1. In the widest sense, a dividing into short portions by a regular succession of motions, impulses, sounds, accents, etc., producing an agreeable effect, as in music poetry, the dance, or the like.

2. (Mus.)

Defn: Movement in musical time, with periodical recurrence of accent; the measured beat or pulse which marks the character and expression of the music; symmetry of movement and accent. Moore (Encyc. )

3. A division of lines into short portions by a regular succession of arses and theses, or percussions and remissions of voice on words or syllables.

4. The harmonious flow of vocal sounds.

RHYTHMER Rhyth"mer, n.

Defn: One who writes in rhythm, esp. in poetic rhythm or meter. [R.] One now scarce counted a rhythmer, formerly admitted for a poet. Fuller.

RHYTHMIC; RHYTHMICAL Rhyth"mic, Rhyth"mic*al, a. Etym: [Gr. rhythmicus, F. rhythmique.]

Defn: Pertaining to, or of the nature of, rhythm DAy and night I worked my rhythmic thought. Mrs. Browning. Rhythmical accent. (Mus.) See Accent, n., 6 (c).

RHYTHMICALLY Rhyth"mic*al*ly, adv.

Defn: In a rhythmical manner.

RHYTHMICS Rhyth"mics, n.

Defn: The department of musical science which treats of the length of sounds.

RHYTHMING Rhyth"ming, a.

Defn: Writing rhythm; verse making. "The rhythming monk." Fuller.

RHYTHMLESS Rhythm"less, a.

Defn: Being without rhythm. Coleridge.

RHYTHMOMETER Rhyth*mom"e*ter, n. Etym: [Rhythm + -meter.]

Defn: An instrument for marking time in musical movements. See Metronome.

RHYTHMUS Rhyth"mus, n. Etym: [L.]

Defn: Rhythm.

RHYTINA Rhyt"i*na, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: See Rytina.

RIAL Ri"al (, n.

Defn: A Spanish coin. See Real. [Obs.]

RIAL Ri*al", a.

Defn: Royal. [Obs.] Chaucer.

RIAL Ri"al, n. Etym: [From Royal.]

Defn: A gold coin formerly current in England, of the value of ten shillings sterling in the reign of Henry VI., and of fifteen shillings in the reign of Elizabeth. [Spelt also ryal.] Brande & C.

RIANT Ri`ant", a. Etym: [F. riant, p. pr. of rire to laugh, L. ridere.]

Defn: Laughing; laughable; exciting gayety; gay; merry; delightful to the view, as a landscape. In such cases the sublimity must be drawn from the other sources, with a strict caution, howewer, against anything light and riant. Burke.

RIB Rib, n. Etym: [AS. rib, ribb; akin to D. rib, G. rippe, OHG. rippa, rippi, Dan. ribbe, Icel. rif, Russ. rebro.]

1. (Anat.)

Defn: One of the curved bones attached to the vertebral column and supporting the lateral walls of the thorax.

Note: In man there are twelve ribs on each side, of which the upper seven are directly connected with the sternum by cartilages, and are called sternal, or true, ribs. The remaining five pairs are called asternal, or false, ribs, and of these each of the three upper pairs is attached to the cartilage of the rib above, while the two lower pairs are free at the ventral ends, and are called floating ribs. See Thorax.

2. That which resembles a rib in form or use. Specifically: (a) (Shipbuilding) One of the timbers, or bars of iron or steel, that branch outward and upward from the keel, to support the skin or planking, and give shape and strength to the vessel. (b) (Mach. & Structures)

Defn: A ridge, fin, or wing, as on a plate, cylinder, beam, etc., to strengthen or stiffen it. (c) One of the rods on which the cover of an umbrella is extended. (d) A prominent line or ridge, as in cloth. (e) A longitudinal strip of metal uniting the barrels of a double- barreled gun.

3. (Bot.)

Defn: The chief nerve, or one of the chief nerves, of a leaf. (b) Any longitudinal ridge in a plant.

4. (Arch.) (a) In Gothic vaulting, one of the primary members of the vault. These are strong arches, meeting and crossing one another, dividing the whole space into triangles, which are then filled by vaulted construction of lighter material. Hence, an imitation of one of these in wood, plaster, or the like. (b) A projecting mold, or group of moldings, forming with others a pattern, as on a ceiling, ornamental door, or the like.

5. (Mining) (a) Solid coal on the side of a gallery; solid ore in a vein. (b) An elongated pillar of ore or coal left as a support. Raymond.

6. A wife; -- in allusion to Eve, as made out of Adam's rib. [Familiar & Sportive] How many have we known whose heads have been broken with their own rib. Bp. Hall. Chuck rib, a cut of beef immediately in front of the middle rib. See Chuck. -- Fore ribs, a cut of beef immediately in front of the sirloin. -- Middle rib, a cut of beef between the chuck rib and the fore ribs. -- Rib grass. (Bot.) Same as Ribwort.

RIB Rib, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ribbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Ribbing.]

1. To furnish with ribs; to form with rising lines and channels; as, to rib cloth.

2. To inclose, as with ribs, and protect; to shut in. It [lead] were too gross To rib her cerecloth in the obscure grave. Shak. To rib land, to leave strips of undisturbed ground between the furrows in plowing.

RIBALD Rib"ald, n./ Etym: [OE. ribald, ribaud, F. ribaud, OF. ribald, ribault, LL. ribaldus, of German origin; cf. OHG hripa prostitute. For the ending -ald cf. E. Herald.]

Defn: A low, vulgar, brutal, foul-mouthed wretch; a lewd fellow. Spenser. Pope. Ribald was almost a class name in the feudal system . . . He was his patron's parasite, bulldog, and tool . . . It is not to be wondered at that the word rapidly became a synonym for everything ruffianly and brutal. Earle.

RIBALD Rib"ald, a.

Defn: Low; base; mean; filthy; obscene. The busy day, Waked by the lark, hath roused the ribald crows. Shak.

RIBALDISH Rib"ald*ish, a.

Defn: Like a ribald. Bp. Hall.

RIBALDROUS Rib"ald*rous, a.

Defn: Of a ribald quality. [R.]

RIBALDRY Rib"ald*ry, n. Etym: [OE. ribaldrie, ribaudrie, OF. ribalderie, ribauderie.]

Defn: The talk of a ribald; low, vulgar language; indecency; obscenity; lewdness; -- now chiefly applied to indecent language, but formerly, as by Chaucer, also to indecent acts or conduct. The ribaldry of his conversation moved Macaulay.

RIBAN Rib"an, n.

Defn: See Ribbon. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

RIBAND Rib"and, n.

Defn: See Ribbon. Riband jasper (Min.), a variety of jasper having stripes of different colors, as red and green.

RIBAND Rib"and, n. (Naut.)

Defn: See Rib-band. Totten.

RIBANDED Rib"and*ed, a.

Defn: Ribboned. B. Jonson.

RIBAUD Rib"aud, n.

Defn: A ribald. [Obs.] P. Plowman.

RIBAUDEQUIN Ri*bau"de*quin, n. Etym: [F.]

1. An engine of war used in the Middle Ages, consisting of a protected elevated staging on wheels, and armed in front with pikes. It was (after the 14th century) furnished with small cannon.

2. A huge bow fixed on the wall of a fortified town for casting javelins.

RIBAUDRED; RIBAUDROUS Rib"aud*red, Rib"aud*rous, a.

Defn: Filthy; obscene; ribald. [Obs.]

RIBAUDRY Rib"aud*ry, n.

Defn: Ribaldry. [Obs.] Spenser.

RIBAUDY Rib"aud*y, n.

Defn: Ribaldry. [Obs.] Chaucer.

RIBAULD Rib"auld, n.

Defn: A ribald. [Obs.] Spenser.

RIBBAND Rib"band, n.

Defn: A ribbon. Pope.

RIBBAND Rib"*band`, n. Etym: [Rib + band.] Etym: [Written also riband, and ribbon.] (Shipbuilding)

Defn: A long, narrow strip of timber bent and bolted longitudinally to the ribs of a vessel, to hold them in position, and give rigidity to the framework. Rib-band lines, oblique longitudinal sectionss of the hull of a vessel. Knight.

RIBBED Ribbed, a.

1. Furnished or formed with ribs; as, a ribbed cylinder; ribbed cloth.

2. (Mining)

Defn: Intercalated with slate; -- said of a seam of coal. Raymond.

RIBBING Rib"bing, n.

Defn: An assemblage or arrangement of ribs, as the timberwork for the support of an arch or coved ceiling, the veins in the leaves of some plants, ridges in the fabric of cloth, or the like.

RIBBON Rib"bon, n. Etym: [OE. riban, OF. riban, F. ruban, probably of German origin; cf. D. ringband collar, necklace, E. ring circle, and band.] [Written also riband, ribband.]

1. A fillet or narrow woven fabric, commonly of silk, used for trimming some part of a woman's attire, for badges, and other decorative purposes.

2. A narrow strip or shred; as, a steel or magnesium ribbon; sails torn to ribbons.

3. (Shipbuilding)

Defn: Same as Rib-band.

4. pl.

Defn: Driving reins. [Cant] London Athenæum.

5. (Her.)

Defn: A bearing similar to the bend, but only one eighth as wide.

6. (Spinning)

Defn: A silver.

Note: The blue ribbon, and The red ribbon, are phrases often used to designate the British orders of the Garter and of the Bath, respectively, the badges of which are suspended by ribbons of these colors. See Blue ribbon, under Blue. Ribbon fish. (Zoöl.) (a) Any elongated, compressed, ribbon-shaped marine fish of the family Trachypteridæ, especially the species of the genus Trachypterus, and the oarfish (Regelecus Banksii) of the North Atlantic, which is sometimes over twenty feet long. (b) The hairtail, or bladefish. (c) A small compressed marine fish of the genus Cepola, having a long, slender, tapering tail. The European species (C. rubescens) is light red throughout. Called also band fish. -- Ribbon grass (Bot.), a variety of reed canary grass having the leaves stripped with green and white; -- called also Lady's garters. See Reed grass, under Reed. -- Ribbon seal (Zoöl.), a North Pacific seal (Histriophoca fasciata). The adult male is dark brown, conspicuously banded and striped with yellowish white. -- Ribbon snake (Zoöl.), a common North American snake (Eutainia saurita). It is conspicuously striped with bright yellow and dark brown. -- Ribbon Society, a society in Ireland, founded in the early part of the 19th century in antagonism to the Orangemen. It afterwards became an organization of tennant farmers banded together to prevent eviction by landlords. It took its name from the green ribbon worn by members as a badge. -- Ribborn worm. (Zoöl.) (a) A tapeworm. (b) A nemertean.

RIBBON Rib"bon, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ribboned; p. pr. & vb. n. Ribboning.]

Defn: To adorn with, or as with, ribbons; to mark with stripes resembling ribbons.

RIBBONISM Rib"bon*ism, n.

Defn: The principles and practices of the Ribbonmen. See Ribbon Society, under Ribbon.

RIBBONMAN Rib"bon*man, n; pl. -men.

Defn: A member of the Ribbon Society. See Ribbon Society, under Ribbon.

RIBBONWOOD Rib"bon*wood`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A malvaceous tree (Hoheria populnea) of New Zealand, the bark of which is used for cordage.

RIBES Ri"bes, n.Etym: [NL.; cf. Dan. ribs, and Ar. ribas a plant with an acid juice.] (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of shrubs including gooseberries and currants of many kinds.

RIBIBE Rib"ibe, n. Etym: [See Rebec.]

1. A sort of stringed instrument; a rebec. [Obs.] Nares.

2. An old woman; -- in contempt. [Obs.] Chaucer.

3. A bawd; a prostitute. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

RIBIBLE Rib"i*ble, n. Etym: [See Ribibe.]

Defn: A small threestringed viol; a rebec. Moore (Encyc. of Music). All can be play on gittern or ribible. Chaucer.

RIBLESS Rib"less, a.

Defn: Having no ribs.

RIBROAST Rib"roast`, v. t.

Defn: To beat soundly. [Slang]

RIBWORT Rib"wort`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: A species of plantain (Plantago lanceolata) with long, narrow, ribbed leaves; -- called also rib grass, ripple grass, ribwort plantain.

-RIC -ric. Etym: [AS rice kingdom, dominion. See Rich.]

Defn: A suffix signifying dominion, jurisdiction; as, bishopric, the district over which a bishop exercises authority.

RICE Rice, n. Etym: [F. riz (cf. Pr. ris, It. riso), L. oryza, Gr. brizi, akin to Skr. vrihi; or perh. akin to E. rye. Cf. Rye.] (Bot.)

Defn: A well-known cereal grass (Oryza sativa) and its seed. This plant is extensively cultivated in warm climates, and the grain forms a large portion of the food of the inhabitants. In America it grows chiefly on low, moist land, which can be overflowed. Ant rice. (Bot.) See under Ant. -- French rice. (Bot.) See Amelcorn. -- Indian rice., a tall reedlike water grass (Zizania aquatica), bearing panicles of a long, slender grain, much used for food by North American Indians. It is common in shallow water in the Northern States. Called also water oat, Canadian wild rice, etc. -- Mountain rice, any species of an American genus (Oryzopsis) of grasses, somewhat resembling rice. -- Rice bunting. (Zoöl.) Same as Ricebird. -- Rice hen (Zoöl.), the Florida gallinule. -- Rice mouse (Zoöl.), a large dark-colored field mouse (Calomys palistris) of the Southern United States. -- Rice paper, a kind of thin, delicate paper, brought from China, - - used for painting upon, and for the manufacture of fancy articles. It is made by cutting the pith of a large herb (Fatsia papyrifera, related to the ginseng) into one roll or sheet, which is flattened out under pressure. Called also pith paper. -- Rice troupial (Zoöl.), the bobolink. -- Rice water, a drink for invalids made by boiling a small quantity of rice in water. -- Rice-water discharge (Med.), a liquid, resembling rice water in appearance, which is vomited, and discharged from the bowels, in cholera. -- Rice weevil (Zoöl.), a small beetle (Calandra, or Sitophilus, oryzæ) which destroys rice, wheat, and Indian corn by eating out the interior; -- called also black weevil.

RICEBIRD Rice"bird`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) The Java sparrow. (b) The bobolink.

RICE-SHELL Rice"-shell`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of numerous species of small white polished marine shells of the genus Olivella.

RICH Rich, (rîch), a. [Compar. Richer (; superl. Richest.] Etym: [OE. riche, AS. rice rich, powerful; akin to OS. riki, D. rijk, G. reich, OHG. rihhi, Icel. rikr, Sw. rik, Dan. rig, Goth. reiks; from a word meaning, ruler, king, probably borrowed from Celtic, and akin to L. rex, regis, king, regere to guide, rule. sq. root283. See Right, and cf. Derrick, Enrich, Rajah, Riches, Royal.]

1. Having an abundance of material possessions; possessed of a large amount of property; well supplied with land, goods, or money; wealthy; opulent; affluent; -- opposed to Ant: poor. "Rich merchants." Chaucer. The rich [person] hath many friends. Prov. xiv. 20. As a thief, bent to unhoard the cash Of some rich burgher. Milton.

2. Hence, in general, well supplied; abounding; abundant; copious; bountiful; as, a rich treasury; a rich entertainment; a rich crop. If life be short, it shall be glorious; Each minute shall be rich in some great action. Rowe. The gorgeous East with richest hand Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold. Milton.

3. Yielding large returns; productive or fertile; fruitful; as, rich soil or land; a rich mine.

4. Composed of valuable or costly materials or ingredients; procured at great outlay; highly valued; precious; sumptuous; costly; as, a rich dress; rich silk or fur; rich presents. Like to rich and various gems. Milton.

5. Abounding in agreeable or nutritive qualities; -- especially applied to articles of food or drink which are high-seasoned or abound in oleaginous ingredients, or are sweet, luscious, and high- flavored; as, a rich dish; rich cream or soup; rich pastry; rich wine or fruit. Sauces and rich spices are fetched from India. Baker.

6. Not faint or delicate; vivid; as, a rich color.

7. Full of sweet and harmonius sounds; as, a rich voice; rich music.

8. Abounding in beauty; gorgeous; as, a rich landscape; rich scenery.

9. Abounding in humor; exciting amusement; entertaining; as, the scene was a rich one; a rich incident or character. [Colloq.] Thackeray.

Note: Rich is sometimes used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, rich-fleeced, rich-jeweled, rich-laden, rich-stained.

Syn. -- Wealthy; affluent; opulent; ample; copious; abundant; plentiful; fruitful; costly; sumptuous; precious; generous; luscious.

RICH Rich, v. t.

Defn: To enrich. [Obs.] Gower.

RICHES Rich"es, n. pl. Etym: [OE. richesse, F. richesse, from riche rich, of German origin. See Rich,a.]

1. That which makes one rich; an abundance of land, goods, money, or other property; wealth; opulence; affluence. Riches do not consist in having more gold and silver, but in having more in proportion, than our neighbors. Locke.

2. That which appears rich, sumptuous, precious, or the like. The riche of heaven's pavement, trodden gold. Milton.

Note: Richesse, the older form of this word, was in the singular number. The form riches, however, is plural in appearance, and has now come to be used as a plural. Against the richesses of this world shall they have misease of poverty. Chaucer. In one hour so great riches is come to nought. Rev. xviii. 17. And for that riches where is my deserving Shak.

Syn. -- Wealth; opulence; affluence; wealthiness; richness; plenty; abundance.

RICHESSE Rich"esse, n. Etym: [F. See Riches.]

Defn: Wealth; riches. See the Note under Riches. [Obs.] Some man desireth for to have richesse. Chaucer. The richesse of all heavenly grace. Spenser.

RICHLY Rich"ly, adv.

Defn: In a rich manner.

RICHNESS Rich"ness, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being rich (in any sense of the adjective).

RICHWEED Rich"weed`, n. (Bot.)

Defn: An herb (Pilea pumila) of the Nettle family, having a smooth, juicy, pellucid stem; -- called also clearweed.

RICINELAIDIC Ric`in*e`la*id"ic, a. Etym: [Ricinoleic + elaidic.]

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, an isomeric modification of ricinoleic acid obtained as a white crystalline solid.

RICINELAIDIN Ric`in*e*la"i*din, n. (Chem.)

Defn: The glycerin salt of ricinelaidic acid, obtained as a white crystalline waxy substance by treating castor oil with nitrous acid.

RICINIC Ri*cin"ic, a. Etym: [L. ricinus castor-oil plant.] (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or derived from, castor oil; formerly, designating an acid now called ricinoleic acid.

RICININE Ric"i*nine, n. Etym: [L. ricinus castor-oil plant.] (Chem.)

Defn: A bitter white crystalline alkaloid extracted from the seeds of the castor-oil plant.

RICINOLEATE Ric`in*o"le*ate, n. (Chem.)

Defn: A salt of ricinoleic acid; -- formerly called palmate.

RICINOLEIC Ric`in*o"le*ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Pertaining to, or designating, a fatty acid analogous to oleic acid, obtained from castor oil as an oily substance, Cricinolic.

RICINOLEIN Ric`in*o"le*in, n. Etym: [L. ricinus castor-oil plant + oleum oil.] (Chem.)

Defn: The glycerin salt of ricinoleic acid, occuring as a characteristic constituent of castor oil; -- formerly called palmin.

RICINOLIC Ric`i*nol"ic, a. (Chem.)

Defn: Ricinoleic.

RICINUS Ric"i*nus (, n. Etym: [L., the castor-oil plant.] (Bot.)

Defn: A genus of plants of the Spurge family, containing but one species (R. communis), the castor-oil plant. The fruit is three- celled, and contains three large seeds from which castor oil iss expressed. See Palma Christi.

RICK Rick, n. Etym: [OE. reek, rek, AS. hreác a heap; akin to hryce rick, Icel. hraukr.]

Defn: A stack or pile, as of grain, straw, or hay, in the open air, usually protected from wet with thatching. Golden clusters of beehive ricks, rising at intervals beyond the hedgerows. G. Eliot.

RICK Rick, v. t.

Defn: To heap up in ricks, as hay, etc.

RICKER Rick"er, n.

Defn: A stout pole for use in making a rick, or for a spar to a boat.

RICKETISH Rick"et*ish, a.

Defn: Rickety. [Obs.] Fuller.

RICKETS Rick"ets, n. pl. Etym: [Of uncertain origin; but cf. AS. wrigian to bend, D. wrikken to shake, E. wriggle.] (Med.)

Defn: A disease which affects children, and which is characterized by a bulky head, crooked spine and limbs, depressed ribs, enlarged and spongy articular epiphyses, tumid abdomen, and short stature, together with clear and often premature mental faculties. The essential cause of the disease appears to be the nondeposition of earthy salts in the osteoid tissues. Children afflicted with this malady stand and walk unsteadily. Called also rachitis.

RICKETY Rick"et*y, a.

1. Affected with rickets.

2. Feeble in the joints; imperfect; weak; shaky.

RICKRACK Rick"rack`, n.

Defn: A kind of openwork edging made of serpentine braid.

RICKSTAND Rick"stand`, n.

Defn: A flooring or framework on which a rick is made.

RICOCHET Ric`o*chet", n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A rebound or skipping, as of a ball along the ground when a gun is fired at a low angle of elevation, or of a fiat stone thrown along the surface of water. Ricochet firing (Mil.), the firing of guns or howitzers, usually with small charges, at an elevation of only a few degrees, so as to cause the balls or shells to bound or skip along the ground.

RICOCHET Ric`o*chet", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ricochetted; p. pr. & vb. n. Ricochetting.]

Defn: To operate upon by ricochet firing. See Ricochet, n. [R.]

RICOCHET Ric`o*chet", v. i.

Defn: To skip with a rebound or rebounds, as a flat stone on the surface of water, or a cannon ball on the ground. See Ricochet, n.

RICTAL Ric"tal, a. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Of or pertaining to the rictus; as, rictal bristles.

RICTURE Ric"ture, n. Etym: [L. ringi, rictus, to open wide the mouth, to gape.]

Defn: A gaping. [Obs.]

RICTUS Ric"tus, n. Etym: [L., the aperture of the mouth.]

Defn: The gape of the mouth, as of birds; -- often resricted to the corners of the mouth.

RID Rid,

Defn: imp. & p. p. of Ride, v. i. [Archaic] He rid to the end of the village, where he alighted. Thackeray.

RID Rid, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rid or Ridded; p. pr. & vb. n. Ridding.] Etym: [OE. ridden, redden, AS. hreddan to deliver, liberate; akin to D. & LG. redden, G. retten, Dan. redde, Sw. rädda, and perhaps to Skr. to loosen.]

1. To save; to rescue; to deliver; -- with out of. [Obs.] Deliver the poor and needy; rid them out of the hand of the wicked. Ps. lxxxii. 4.

2. To free; to clear; to disencumber; -- followed by of. "Rid all the sea of pirates." Shak. In never ridded myself of an overmastering and brooding sense of some great calamity traveling toward me. De Quincey.

3. To drive away; to remove by effort or violence; to make away with; to destroy. [Obs.] I will red evil beasts out of the land. Lev. xxvi. 6. Death's men, you have rid this sweet young prince! Shak.

4. To get over; to dispose of; to dispatch; to finish. [R.] "Willingness rids way." Shak. Mirth will make us rid ground faster than if thieves were at our tails. J. Webster. To be rid of, to be free or delivered from. -- To get rid of, to get deliverance from; to free one's self from.

RIDABLE Rid"a*ble, a.

Defn: Suitable for riding; as, a ridable horse; a ridable road.

RIDDANCE Rid"dance, n.

1. The act of ridding or freeing; deliverance; a cleaning up or out. Thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field. Lev. xxiii. 22.

2. The state of being rid or free; freedom; escape. "Riddance from all adversity." Hooker.

RIDDEN Rid"den,

Defn: p. p. of Ride.

RIDDER Rid"der, n.

Defn: One who, or that which, rids.

RIDDLE Rid"dle, n. Etym: [OE. ridil, AS. hridder; akin to G. reiter, L. cribrum, and to Gr. rein clean. See Crisis, Certain.]

1. A sieve with coarse meshes, usually of wire, for separating coarser materials from finer, as chaff from grain, cinders from ashes, or gravel from sand.

2. A board having a row of pins, set zigzag, between which wire is drawn to straighten it.

RIDDLE Rid"dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Riddled; p. pr. & vb. n. Riddling.]

1. To separate, as grain from the chaff, with a riddle; to pass through a riddle; as, riddle wheat; to riddle coal or gravel.

2. To perforate so as to make like a riddle; to make many holes in; as, a house riddled with shot.

RIDDLE Rid"dle, n. Etym: [For riddels, s being misunderstood as the plural ending; OE. ridels, redels. AS. rraadsel, G. räthsel; fr. AS. r to counsel or advise, also, to guess. sq. root116. Cf. Read.]

Defn: Something proposed to be solved by guessing or conjecture; a puzzling question; an ambiguous proposition; an enigma; hence, anything ambiguous or puzzling. To wring from me, and tell to them, my secret, That solved the riddle which I had proposed. Milton. 'T was a strange riddle of a lady. Hudibras.

RIDDLE Rid"dle, v. t.

Defn: To explain; to solve; to unriddle. Riddle me this, and guess him if you can. Dryden.

RIDDLE Rid"dle, v. i.

Defn: To speak ambiguously or enigmatically. "Lysander riddels very prettily." Shak.

RIDDLER Rid"dler, n.

Defn: One who riddles (grain, sand, etc.).

RIDDLER Rid"dler, n.

Defn: One who speaks in, or propounds, riddles.

RIDDLING Rid"dling, a.

Defn: Speaking in a riddle or riddles; containing a riddle. "Riddling triplets." Tennyson. -- Rid"dling, adv.

RIDE Ride, v. i. [imp. Rode (rod) (Rid [rîd], archaic); p. p. Ridden ( (Rid, archaic); p. pr. & vb. n. Riding (.] Etym: [AS. ridan; akin to LG. riden, D. rijden, G. reiten, OHG. ritan, Icel. riedha, Sw. rida, Dan. ride; cf. L. raeda a carriage, which is from a Celtic word. Cf. Road.]

1. To be carried on the back of an animal, as a horse. To-morrow, when ye riden by the way. Chaucer. Let your master ride on before, and do you gallop after him. Swift.

2. To be borne in a carriage; as, to ride in a coach, in a car, and the like. See Synonym, below. The richest inhabitants exhibited their wealth, not by riding in gilden carriages, but by walking the streets with trains of servants. Macaulay.

3. To be borne or in a fluid; to float; to lie. Men once walked where ships at anchor ride. Dryden.

4. To be supported in motion; to rest. Strong as the exletree On which heaven rides. Shak. On whose foolish honesty My practices ride easy! Shak.

5. To manage a horse, as an equestrian. He rode, he fenced, he moved with graceful ease. Dryden.

6. To support a rider, as a horse; to move under the saddle; as, a horse rides easy or hard, slow or fast. To ride easy (Naut.), to lie at anchor without violent pitching or straining at the cables. -- To ride hard (Naut.), to pitch violently. -- To ride out. (a) To go upon a military expedition. [Obs.] Chaucer. (b) To ride in the open air. [Colloq.] -- To ride to hounds, to ride behind, and near to, the hounds in hunting.

Syn. -- Drive. -- Ride, Drive. Ride originally meant (and is so used throughout the English Bible) to be carried on horseback or in a vehicle of any kind. At present in England, drive is the word applied in most cases to progress in a carriage; as, a drive around the park, etc.; while ride is appropriated to progress on a horse. Johnson seems to sanction this distinction by giving "to travel on horseback" as the leading sense of ride; though he adds "to travel in a vehicle" as a secondary sense. This latter use of the word still occurs to some extent; as, the queen rides to Parliament in her coach of state; to ride in an omnibus. "Will you ride over or drive" said Lord Willowby to his quest, after breakfast that morning. W. Black.

RIDE Ride, v. t.

1. To sit on, so as to be carried; as, to ride a horse; to ride a bicycle. [They] rend up both rocks and hills, and ride the air In whirlwind. Milton.

2. To manage insolently at will; to domineer over. The nobility could no longer endure to be ridden by bakers, cobblers, and brewers. Swift.

3. To convey, as by riding; to make or do by riding. Tue only men that safe can ride Mine errands on the Scottish side. Sir W. Scott.

4. (Surg.)

Defn: To overlap (each other); -- said of bones or fractured fragments. To ride a hobby, to have some favorite occupation or subject of talk. -- To ride and tie, to take turn with another in labor and rest; -- from the expedient adopted by two persons with one horse, one of whom rides the animal a certain distance, and then ties him for the use of the other, who is coming up on foot. Fielding. -- To ride down. (a) To ride over; to trample down in riding; to overthrow by riding against; as, to ride down an enemy. (b) (Naut.) To bear down, as on a halyard when hoisting a sail. -- To ride out (Naut.), to keep safe afloat during (a storm) while riding at anchor or when hove to on the open sea; as, to ride out the gale. to ride the lightning, (Colloq.) to be executed by electrocution in an electric chair.

RIDE Ride, n.

1. The act of riding; an excursion on horseback or in a vehicle.

2. A saddle horse. [Prov. Eng.] Wright.

3. A road or avenue cut in a wood, or through grounds, to be used as a place for riding; a riding.

RIDEAU Ri*deau", n. Etym: [F.]

Defn: A small mound of earth; ground slightly elevated; a small ridge.

RIDEN Rid"en, obs.

Defn: imp. pl. & p. p. of Ride. Chaucer.

RIDENT Ri"dent, a. Etym: [L. ridens, p. pr. of ridere to laugh.]

Defn: Laughing. [R.] Thackeray.

RIDER Rid"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, rides.

2. Formerly, an agent who went out with samples of goods to obtain orders; a commercial traveler. [Eng.]

3. One who breaks or manages a horse. Shak.

4. An addition or amendment to a manuscript or other document, which is attached on a separate piece of paper; in legislative practice, an additional clause annexed to a bill while in course of passage; something extra or burdensome that is imposed. After the third reading, a foolish man stood up to propose a rider. Macaulay. This [question] was a rider which Mab found difficult to answer. A. S. Hardy.

5. (Math.)

Defn: A problem of more than usual difficulty added to another on an examination paper.

6. Etym: [D. rijder.]

Defn: A Dutch gold coin having the figure of a man on horseback stamped upon it. His moldy money ! half a dozen riders. J. Fletcher.

7. (Mining)

Defn: Rock material in a vein of ore, dividing it.

8. (Shipbuilding)

Defn: An interior rib occasionally fixed in a ship's hold, reaching from the keelson to the beame of the lower deck, to strengthen her frame. Totten.

9. (Naut.)

Defn: The second tier of casks in a vessel's hold.

10. A small forked weight which straddles the beam of a balance, along which it can be moved in the manner of the weight on a steelyard.

11. A robber. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Drummond. Rider's bone (Med.), a bony deposit in the muscles of the upper and inner part of the thigh, due to the pressure and irritation caused by the saddle in riding.

RIDERLESS Rid"er*less, a.

Defn: Having no rider; as, a riderless horse. H. Kingsley.

RIDGE Ridge, n. Etym: [OE. rigge the back, AS. hrycg; akin to D. rug, G. rÜcken, OHG. rucki, hrukki, Icel. hryggr, Sw. rugg, Dan. ryg. sq. root16.]

1. The back, or top of the back; a crest. Hudibras.

2. A range of hills or mountains, or the upper part of such a range; any extended elevation between valleys. "The frozen ridges of the Alps." Shak. Part rise crystal wall, or ridge direct. Milton.

3. A raised line or strip, as of ground thrown up by a plow or left between furrows or ditches, or as on the surface of metal, cloth, or bone, etc.

4. (Arch.)

Defn: The intersection of two surface forming a salient angle, especially the angle at the top between the opposite slopes or sides of a roof or a vault.

5. (Fort.)

Defn: The highest portion of the glacis proceeding from the salient angle of the covered way. Stocqueler.

RIDGE Ridge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ridged; p. pr. & vb. n. Ridging.]

1. To form a ridge of; to furnish with a ridge or ridges; to make into a ridge or ridges. Bristles ranged like those that ridge the back Of chafed wild boars. Milton.

2. To form into ridges with the plow, as land.

3. To wrinkle. "With a forehead ridged." Cowper.

RIDGEBAND Ridge"band`, n.

Defn: The part of a harness which passes over the saddle, and supports the shafts of a cart; -- called also ridgerope, and ridger. Halliwell.

RIDGEBONE Ridge"bone`, n.

Defn: The backbone. [Obs.] Blood . . . lying cluttered about the ridgebone. Holland.

RIDGEL Ridg"el, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Same as Ridgelling.

RIDGELET Ridge"let, n.

Defn: A little ridge.

RIDGELING Ridge"ling, n. Etym: [Prov. E. riggilt, riggot, ananimal half castrated, a sheep having only one testicle; cf. Prov. G. rigel, rig, a barrow hog, rigler a cock half castrated.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: A half-castrated male animal.

RIDGEPIECE; RIDGEPLATE Ridge"piece`, Ridge"plate`, n.

Defn: See Ridgepole.

RIDGEPOLE Ridge"pole`, n. (Arch.)

Defn: The timber forming the ridge of a roof, into which the rafters are secured.

RIDGEROPE Ridge"rope`, n. (Naut.)

Defn: See Life line (a), under Life.

RIDGINGLY Ridg"ing*ly, adv.

Defn: So as to form ridges.

RIDGY Ridg"y, a.

Defn: Having a ridge or ridges; rising in a ridge. "Lifted on a ridgy wave." Pope.

RIDICLE Rid"i*cle, n.

Defn: Ridicule. [Obs.] Foxe.

RIDICULE Rid"i*cule, n. Etym: [F. ridicule, L. ridiculum a jest, fr. ridiculus. See Ridiculous.]

1. An object of sport or laughter; a laughingstock; a laughing matter. [Marlborough] was so miserably ignorant, that his deficiencies made him the ridicule of his contemporaries. Buckle. To the people . . . but a trifle, to the king but a ridicule. Foxe.

2. Remarks concerning a subject or a person designed to excite laughter with a degree of contempt; wit of that species which provokes contemptuous laughter; disparagement by making a person an object of laughter; banter; -- a term lighter than derision. We have in great measure restricted the meaning of ridicule, which would properly extend over whole region of the ridiculous, -- the laughable, -- and we have narrowed it so that in common usage it mostly corresponds to "derision", which does indeed involve personal and offensive feelings. Hare. Safe from the bar, the pulpit, and the throne, Yet touched and shamed by ridicule alone. Pope.

3. Quality of being ridiculous; ridiculousness. [Obs.] To see the ridicule of this practice. Addison.

Syn. -- Derision; banter; raillery; burlesque; mockery; irony; satire; sarcasm; gibe; jeer; sneer. -- Ridicule, Derision, Both words imply disapprobation; but ridicule usually signifies good-natured, fun-loving opposition without manifest malice, while derision is commonly bitter and scornful, and sometimes malignant.

RIDICULE Rid"i*cule, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ridiculed;p. pr. & vb. n. Ridiculing.]

Defn: To laugh at mockingly or disparagingly; to awaken ridicule toward or respecting. I 've known the young, who ridiculed his rage. Goldsmith.

Syn. -- To deride; banter; rally; burlesque; mock; satirize; lampoon. See Deride.

RIDICULE Rid"i*cule, a. Etym: [F.]

Defn: Ridiculous. [Obs.] This action . . . became so ridicule. Aubrey.

RIDICULER Rid"i*cu`ler, n.

Defn: One who ridicules.

RIDICULIZE Ri*dic"u*lize, v. t.

Defn: To make ridiculous; to ridicule. [Obs.] Chapman.

RIDICULOSITY Ri*dic`u*los"i*ty, n.

Defn: The quality or state of being ridiculous; ridiculousness; also, something ridiculous. [Archaic] Bailey.

RIDICULOUS Ri*dic"u*lous, a. Etym: [L. ridiculosus, ridiculus, fr. ridere to laigh. Cf. Risible.]

1. Fitted to excite ridicule; absurd and laughable; unworthy of serious consideration; as, a ridiculous dress or behavior. Agricola, discerning that those little targets and unwieldy glaives ill pointed would soon become ridiculous against the thrust and close, commanded three Batavian cohorts . . . to draw up and come to handy strokes. Milton.

2. Involving or expressing ridicule. [r.] [It] provokes me to ridiculous smiling. Shak.

Syn. -- Ludicrous; laughable; risible; droll; comical; absurd; preposterous. See Ludicrous. --- Ri*dic"u*lous*ly, adv. -- Ri*dic"u*lous*ness, n.

RIDING Rid"ing, n. Etym: [For thriding, Icel. pr the third part, fr. pri third, akin to E. third. See Third.]

Defn: One of the three jurisdictions into which the county of York, in England, is divided; -- formerly under the government of reeve. They are called the North, the East, and the West, Riding. Blackstone.

RIDING Rid"ing, a.

1. Employed to travel; traveling; as, a riding clerk. "One riding apparitor." Ayliffe.

2. Used for riding on; as, a riding horse.

3. Used for riding, or when riding; devoted to riding; as, a riding whip; a riding habit; a riding day. Riding clerk. (a) A clerk who traveled for a commercial house. [Obs. Eng.] (b) One of the "six clerks" formerly attached to the English Court of Chancery. -- Riding hood. (a) A hood formerly worn by women when riding. (b) A kind of cloak with a hood. -- Riding master, an instructor in horsemanship. -- Riding rhyme (Pros.), the meter of five accents, with couplet rhyme; -- probably so called from the mounted pilgrims described in the Canterbury Tales. Dr. Guest. -- Riding school, a school or place where the art of riding is taught.

RIDING Rid"ing, n.

1. The act or state of one who rides.

2. A festival procession. [Obs.] When there any riding was in Cheap. Chaucer.

3. Same as Ride, n., 3. Sir P. Sidney.

4. A district in charge of an excise officer. [Eng.]

RIDOTTO Ri*dot"to, n. Etym: [It., fr. LL. reductus a retreat. See Redoubt.]

Defn: A favorite Italian public entertainment, consisting of music and dancing, -- held generally on fast eves. Brande & C. There are to be ridottos at guinea tickets. Walpole.

RIDOTTO Ri*dot"to, v. i.

Defn: To hold ridottos. [R.] J. G. Cooper.

RIE Rie, n.

Defn: See Rye. [Obs.] Holland. Rie grass. (Bot.) (a) A kind of wild barley (Hordeum pratense). Dr. Prior. (b) Ray grass. Dr. Prior.

RIEF Rief, n. Etym: [See Reave.]

Defn: Robbery. [Obs. or Scot.]

RIETBOC Riet"boc, n. Etym: [D. riet reed + bok buck.] (Zoöl.)

Defn: The reedbuck, a South African antelope (Cervicapra arundinacea); -- so called from its frequenting dry places covered with high grass or reeds. Its color is yellowish brown. Called also inghalla, and rietbok.

RIFACIMENTO Ri*fa`ci*men"to, n.; pl. Rifacimenti (#). [It.]

Defn: A remaking or recasting; an adaptation, esp. of a literary work or musical composition.

RIFE Rife, a. Etym: [AS. rif abundant, or Icel. rifr munificent; akin to OD. riff, rijve, abundant.]

1. Prevailing; prevalent; abounding. Before the plague of London, inflammations of the lungs were rife and mortal. Arbuthnot. Even now the tumult of loud mirth Was rife, and perfect in may listening ear. Milton.

2. Having power; active; nimble. [Obs.] What! I am rife a little yet. J. Webster. -- Rife"ly, adv. -- Rife"ness, n.

RIFFLE Rif"fle, n. Etym: [CF. G. riffeln, riefeln, to groove. Cf. Rifle a gun.] (Mining)

Defn: A trough or sluice having cleats, grooves, or steps across the bottom for holding quicksilver and catching particles of gold when auriferous earth is washed; also, one of the cleats, grooves, or steps in such a trough. Also called ripple.

RIFFLER Rif"fler, n. Etym: [See Riffle.]

Defn: A curved file used in carving wool and marble.

RIFFRAFF Riff"raff`, n. Etym: [OE. rif and raf every particle, OF. rif et raf. CF. Raff, and 1st Rifle.]

Defn: Sweepings; refuse; the lowest order of society. Beau & Fl.

RIFLE Ri"fle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rifled; p. pr. & vb. n. Rifling.] Etym: [F. rifler to rifle, sweep away; of uncertain origin. CF. Raff.]

1. To seize and bear away by force; to snatch away; to carry off. Till time shall rifle every youthful grace. Pope.

2. To strip; to rob; to pillage. Piers Plowman. Stand, sir, and throw us that you have about ye: If not, we'll make you sit and rifle you. Shak.

3. To raffle. [Obs.] J. Webster.

RIFLE Ri"fle, v. i.

1. To raffle. [Obs.] Chapman.

2. To commit robbery. [R.] Bp. Hall.

RIFLE Ri"fle, n. Etym: [Akin to Dan. rifle, or riffel, the rifle of a gun, a chamfer (cf. riffel, riffelbösse, a rifle gun, rifle to rifle a gun, G. riefeln, riefen, to chamfer, groove), and E. rive. See Rive, and cf. Riffle, Rivel.]

1. A gun, the inside of whose barrel is grooved with spiral channels, thus giving the ball a rotary motion and insuring greater accuracy of fire. As a military firearm it has superseded the musket.

2. pl. (Mil.)

Defn: A body of soldiers armed with rifles.

3. A strip of wood covered with emery or a similar material, used for sharpening scythes. Rifle pit (Mil.), a trench for sheltering sharpshooters.

RIFLE Ri"fle, v. t.

1. To grove; to channel; especially, to groove internally with spiral channels; as, to rifle a gun barrel or a cannon.

2. To whet with a rifle. See Rifle, n., 3.

RIFLEBIRD Ri"fle*bird`, n. (Zoöl.)

Defn: Any one of several species of beautiful birds of Australia and New Guinea, of the genera Ptiloris and Craspidophora, allied to the paradise birds.

Note: The largest and best known species is Ptiloris paradisea of Australia. Its general color is rich velvety brown, glossed with lilac; the under parts are varied with rich olive green, and the head, throat, and two middle tail feathers are brilliant metallic green.

RIFLEMAN Ri"fle*man, n.; pl. Rifleman (. (Mil.)

Defn: A soldier armed with a rifle.

RIFLER Ri"fler, n.

Defn: One who rifles; a robber.

RIFLING Ri"fling, n. (a) The act or process of making the grooves in a rifled cannon or gun barrel. (b) The system of grooves in a rifled gun barrel or cannon. Shunt rifling, rifling for cannon, in which one side of the groove is made deeper than the other, to facilitate loading with shot having projections which enter by the deeper part of the grooves.

RIFT Rift, obs.

Defn: p. p. of Rive. Spenser.

RIFT Rift, n. [Written also reft.] Etym: [Dan. rift, fr. rieve to rend. See Rive.]

1. An opening made by riving or splitting; a cleft; a fissure. Spenser.

2. A shallow place in a stream; a ford.

RIFT Rift, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rifted; p. pr. & vb. n. Rifting.]

Defn: To cleave; to rive; to split; as, to rift an oak or a rock; to rift the clouds. Longfellow. To dwell these rifted rocks between. Wordsworth.

RIFT Rift, v. i.

1. To burst open; to split. Shak. Timber . . . not apt to rif with ordnance. Bacon.

2. To belch. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

RIFTER Rift"er, n.

Defn: A rafter. [Obs.] Holland.

RIG Rig, n. Etym: [See Ridge.]

Defn: A ridge. [Prov. or Scott.]

RIG Rig, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rigged; p. pr. & vb. n. Rigging.] Etym: [Norweg. rigga to bind, particularly, to wrap round, rig; cf. AS. wrihan to cover.]

1. To furnish with apparatus or gear; to fit with tackling.

2. To dress; to equip; to clothe, especially in an odd or fanciful manner; -- commonly followed by out. Jack was rigged out in his gold and silver lace. L'Estrange. To rig a purchase, to adapt apparatus so as to get a purchase for moving a weight, as with a lever, tackle, capstan, etc. -- To rig a ship (Naut.), to fit the shrouds, stays, braces, etc., to their respective masts and yards.

RIG Rig, n.

1. (Naut.)

Defn: The peculiar fitting in shape, number, and arrangement of sails and masts, by which different types of vessels are distinguished; as, schooner rig, ship rig, etc. See Illustration in Appendix.

2. Dress; esp., odd or fanciful clothing. [Colloq.]

RIG Rig, n Etym: [Cf. Wriggle.]

1. A romp; a wanton; one given to unbecoming conduct. [Obs.] Fuller.

2. A sportive or unbecoming trick; a frolic.

3. A blast of wind. [Prov. Eng.] Wright. That uncertain season before the rigs of Michaelmas were yet well composed. Burke. To run a rig, to play a trick; to engage in a frolic; to do something strange and unbecoming. He little dreamt when he set out Of running such a rig. Cowper.

RIG Rig, v. i.

Defn: To play the wanton; to act in an unbecoming manner; to play tricks. "Rigging and rifling all ways." Chapman.

RIG Rig, v. t.

Defn: To make free with; hence, to steal; to pilfer. [Obs. or Prov.] Tusser. To rig the market (Stock Exchange), to raise or lower market prices, as by some fraud or trick. [Cant]

RIGADOON Rig`a*doon", n. Etym: [F. rigadon, rigaudon.]

Defn: A gay, lively dance for one couple, -- said to have been borrowed from Provence in France. W. Irving. Whose dancing dogs in rigadoons excel. Wolcott.

RIGA FIR Ri"ga fir` Etym: [So called from Riga, a city in Russia.] (Bot.)

Defn: A species of pine (Pinus sylvestris), and its wood, which affords a valuable timber; -- called also Scotch pine, and red or yellow deal. It grows in all parts of Europe, in the Caucasus, and in Siberia.

RIGARION Ri*ga"rion, n. Etym: [L. rigatio, fr. rigare to water.]

Defn: See Irrigation. [Obs.]

RIGEL Ri"gel, n. Etym: [Ar. rijl, properly, foot.] (Astron.)

Defn: A fixed star of the first magnitude in the left foot of the constellation Orion. [Written also Regel.]

RIGESCENT Ri*ges"cent, a. Etym: [L. rigescens, p. pr. fr. rigescere to grow stiff.]

Defn: Growing stiff or numb.

RIGGER Rig"ger, n.

1. One who rigs or dresses; one whose occupation is to fit the rigging of a ship.

2. A cylindrical pulley or drum in machinery. [R.]

RIGGING Rig"ging, n.

Defn: DRess; tackle; especially (Naut.), the ropes, chains, etc., that support the masts and spars of a vessel, and serve as purchases for adjusting the sails, etc. See Illustr. of Ship and Sails. Running rigging (Naut.), all those ropes used in bracing the yards, making and shortening sail, etc., such as braces, sheets, halyards, clew lines, and the like. -- Standing rigging (Naut.), the shrouds and stays.

RIGGISH Rig"gish, a.

Defn: Like a rig or wanton. [Obs.] "Riggish and unmaidenly." Bp. Hall.

RIGGLE Rig"gle, v. i.

Defn: See Wriggle.

RIGGLE Rig"gle, n.

Defn: The European lance fish. [Prov. Eng.]

RIGHT Right, a. Etym: [OE. right, riht, AS. riht; akin to D. regt, OS. & OHG. reht, G. recht, Dan. ret, Sw. rätt, Icel. rëttr, Goth. raíhts, L. rectus, p. p. of regere to guide, rule; cf. Skr. straight, right. sq. root115. Cf. Adroit,Alert, Correct, Dress, Regular, Rector, Recto, Rectum, Regent, Region, Realm, Rich, Riyal, Rule.]

1. Straight; direct; not crooked; as, a right line. "Right as any line." Chaucer

2. Upright; erect from a base; having an upright axis; not oblique; as, right ascension; a right pyramid or cone.

3. Conformed to the constitution of man and the will of God, or to justice and equity; not deviating from the true and just; according with truth and duty; just; true. That which is conformable to the Supreme Rule is absolutely right, and is called right simply without relation to a special end. Whately.

2. Fit; suitable; proper; correct; becoming; as, the right man in the right place; the right way from London to Oxford.

5. Characterized by reality or genuineness; real; actual; not spurious. "His right wife." Chaucer. In this battle, . . . the Britons never more plainly manifested themselves to be right barbarians. Milton.

6. According with truth; passing a true judgment; conforming to fact or intent; not mistaken or wrong; not erroneous; correct; as, this is the right faith. You are right, Justice, and you weigh this well. Shak. If there be no prospect beyond the grave, the inference is . . . right, "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die." Locke.

7. Most favorable or convenient; fortunate. The lady has been disappointed on the right side. Spectator.

8. Of or pertaining to that side of the body in man on which the muscular action is usually stronger than on the other side; -- opposed to left when used in reference to a part of the body; as, the right side, hand, arm. Also applied to the corresponding side of the lower animals. Became the sovereign's favorite, his right hand. Longfellow.

Note: In designating the banks of a river, right and left are used always with reference to the position of one who is facing in the direction of the current's flow.

9. Well placed, disposed, or adjusted; orderly; well regulated; correctly done.

10. Designed to be placed or worn outward; as, the right side of a piece of cloth. At right angles, so as to form a right angle or right angles, as when one line crosses another perpendicularly. -- Right and left, in both or all directions. [Colloq.] -- Right and left coupling (Pipe fitting), a coupling the opposite ends of which are tapped for a right-handed screw and a left-handed screw, respectivelly. -- Right angle. (a) The angle formed by one line meeting another perpendicularly, as the angles ABD, DBC. (b) (Spherics) A spherical angle included between the axes of two great circles whose planes are perpendicular to each other. -- Right ascension. See under Ascension. -- Right Center (Politics), those members belonging to the Center in a legislative assembly who have sympathies with the Right on political questions. See Center, n., 5. -- Right cone, Right cylinder, Right prism, Right pyramid (Geom.), a cone, cylinder, prism, or pyramid, the axis of which is perpendicular to the base. -- Right line. See under Line. -- Right sailing (Naut.), sailing on one of the four cardinal points, so as to alter a ship's latitude or its longitude, but not both. Ham. Nav. Encyc. -- Right sphere (Astron. & Geol.), a sphere in such a position that the equator cuts the horizon at right angles; in spherical projections, that position of the sphere in which the primitive plane coincides with the plane of the equator.

Note: Right is used elliptically for it is right, what you say is right, true. "Right," cries his lordship. Pope.

Syn. -- Straight; direct; perpendicular; upright; lawful; rightful; true; correct; just; equitable; proper; suitable; becoming.

RIGHT Right, adv.

1. In a right manner.

2. In a right or straight line; directly; hence; straightway; immediately; next; as, he stood right before me; it went right to the mark; he came right out; he followed right after the guide. Unto Dian's temple goeth she right. Chaucer. Let thine eyes look right on. Prov. iv. 25. Right across its track there lay, Down in the water, a long reef of gold. Tennyson.

3. Exactly; just. [Obs. or Colloq.] Came he right now to sing a raven's note Shak.

4. According to the law or will of God; conforming to the standard of truth and justice; righteously; as, to live right; to judge right.

5. According to any rule of art; correctly. You with strict discipline instructed right. Roscommon.

6. According to fact or truth; actually; truly; really; correctly; exactly; as, to tell a story right. "Right at mine own cost." Chaucer. Right as it were a steed of Lumbardye. Chaucer. His wounds so smarted that he slept right naught. Fairfax.

7. In a great degree; very; wholly; unqualifiedly; extremely; highly; as, right humble; right noble; right valiant. "He was not right fat". Chaucer. For which I should be right sorry. Tyndale. [I] return those duties back as are right fit. Shak.

Note: In this sense now chiefly prefixed to titles; as, right honorable; right reverend. Right honorable, a title given in England to peers and peeresses, to the eldest sons and all daughters of such peers as have rank above viscounts, and to all privy councilors; also, to certain civic officers, as the lord mayor of London, of York, and of Dublin.

Note: Right is used in composition with other adverbs, as upright, downright, forthright, etc. Right along, without cessation; continuously; as, to work right along for several hours. [Colloq. U.S.] -- Right away, or Right off, at once; straightway; without delay. [Colloq. U.S.] "We will . . . shut ourselves up in the office and do the work right off." D. Webster.

RIGHT Right, n. Etym: [AS. right. See Right, a.]

1. That which is right or correct. Specifically: (a) The straight course; adherence to duty; obedience to lawful authority, divine or human; freedom from guilt, -- the opposite of moral wrong. (b) A true statement; freedom from error of falsehood; adherence to truth or fact. Seldom your opinions err; Your eyes are always in the right. Prior.

(c) A just judgment or action; that which is true or proper; justice; uprightness; integrity. Long love to her has borne the faithful knight, And well deserved, had fortune done him right. Dryden.

2. That to which one has a just claim. Specifically: (a) That which one has a natural claim to exact. There are no rights whatever, without corresponding duties. Coleridge.

(b) That which one has a legal or social claim to do or to exact; legal power; authority; as, a sheriff has a right to arrest a criminal. (c) That which justly belongs to one; that which one has a claim to possess or own; the interest or share which anyone has in a piece of property; title; claim; interest; ownership. Born free, he sought his right. Dryden. Hast thou not right to all created things Milton. Men have no right to what is not reasonable. Burke.

(d) Privilege or immunity granted by authority.

3. The right side; the side opposite to the left. Led her to the Souldan's right. Spenser.

4. In some legislative bodies of Europe (as in France), those members collectively who are conservatives or monarchists. See Center, 5.