COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (Collins Cobuild)

Rr

R , r /ɑː ^r / (R's, r's )

1 N‑VAR R is the eighteenth letter of the English alphabet.

2 → see also three Rs

3 In the United States, some cinema films are marked R to show that children under 17 years old are only allowed to see them if an adult is with them.

rab|bi /ræ ba I / (rabbis ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A rabbi is a Jewish religious leader, usually one who is in charge of a synagogue, one who is qualified to teach Judaism, or one who is an expert on Jewish law.

rab|bini|cal /ræb I n I k ^ə l/ or rabbinic /ræb I n I k/ ADJ Rabbinical or rabbinic refers to the teachings of Jewish religious teachers and leaders. □ …early rabbinic scholars.

rab|bit /ræ b I t/ (rabbits , rabbiting , rabbited ) N‑COUNT A rabbit is a small furry animal with long ears. Rabbits are sometimes kept as pets, or live wild in holes in the ground.

▸ rabbit on PHRASAL VERB [usu cont] If you describe someone as rabbiting on , you do not like the way they keep talking for a long time about something that is not very interesting. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P + about ] What are you rabbiting on about?

rab|ble /ræ b ^ə l/ N‑SING A rabble is a crowd of noisy people who seem likely to cause trouble. □ [+ of ] He seems to attract a rabble of supporters more loyal to the man than to the cause.

ra bble-rouser (rabble-rousers ) N‑COUNT A rabble-rouser is a clever speaker who can persuade a group of people to behave violently or aggressively, often for the speaker's own political advantage. [DISAPPROVAL ]

ra bble-rousing N‑UNCOUNT Rabble-rousing is encouragement that a person gives to a group of people to behave violently or aggressively, often for that person's own political advantage. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Critics have accused him of rabble-rousing.

rab|id /ræ b I d, re I b-/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use rabid to describe someone who has very strong and unreasonable opinions or beliefs about a subject, especially in politics. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The party has distanced itself from the more rabid nationalist groups in the country. ● rab|id|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV -ed] □ Mead calls the group 'rabidly right-wing'.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A rabid dog or other animal has the disease rabies.

ra|bies /re I biːz/ N‑UNCOUNT Rabies is a serious disease which causes people and animals to go mad and die. Rabies is particularly common in dogs.

rac|coon /rækuː n/ (raccoons or raccoon ) also racoon N‑COUNT A raccoon is a small animal that has dark-coloured fur with white stripes on its face and on its long tail. Raccoons live in forests in North and Central America and the West Indies.

race ◆◆◆ /re I s/ (races , racing , raced )

1 N‑COUNT A race is a competition to see who is the fastest, for example in running, swimming, or driving. □ The first Le Mans 24-hour motor race was won by André Lagache and René Léonard.

2 VERB If you race , you take part in a race. □ [V ] In the 10 years I raced in Europe, 30 drivers were killed. □ [V n] They may even have raced each other–but not regularly. [Also V + against ]

3 N‑PLURAL The races are a series of horse races that are held in a particular place on a particular day. People go to watch and to bet on which horse will win. □ The high point of this trip was a day at the races.

4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A race is a situation in which people or organizations compete with each other for power or control. □ The race for the White House begins in earnest today.

5 → see also arms race , rat race

6 N‑VAR A race is one of the major groups which human beings can be divided into according to their physical features, such as the colour of their skin. □ The College welcomes students of all races, faiths, and nationalities.

7 → see also human race , race relations

8 VERB If you race somewhere, you go there as quickly as possible. □ [V adv/prep] He raced across town to the State House building.

9 VERB If something races towards a particular state or position, it moves very fast towards that state or position. □ [V prep/adv] Do they realize we are racing towards complete economic collapse?

10 VERB If you race a vehicle or animal, you prepare it for races and make it take part in races. □ [V n] He still raced sports cars as often as he could.

11 VERB If your mind races , or if thoughts race through your mind, you think very fast about something, especially when you are in a difficult or dangerous situation. □ [V ] I made sure I sounded calm but my mind was racing. □ [V adv/prep] Bits and pieces of the past raced through her mind.

12 VERB If your heart races , it beats very quickly because you are excited or afraid. □ [V ] Her heart raced uncontrollably.

13 → see also racing

14 PHRASE You describe a situation as a race against time when you have to work very fast in order to do something before a particular time, or before another thing happens. □ An air force spokesman said the rescue operation was a race against time. SYNONYMS race NOUN 4

competition: He will be banned from international competition for four years.

contest: Few contests in the recent history of British boxing have been as thrilling.

quest: My quest for a better bank continues. VERB 8

dash: Antonia ran to meet them.

speed: Trains speed through the Channel Tunnel at 186mph.

fly: I flew downstairs.

tear: The door flew open and Miranda tore into the room.

race|course /re I skɔː ^r s/ (racecourses ) also race course N‑COUNT A racecourse is a track on which horses race. [BRIT ] in AM, use racetrack

race|go|er /re I sgoʊə ^r / (racegoers ) also race-goer N‑COUNT [usu pl] Racegoers are people who regularly go to watch horse races. [mainly BRIT ]

race|horse /re I shɔː ^r s/ (racehorses ) N‑COUNT A racehorse is a horse that is trained to run in races.

ra ce meet|ing (race meetings ) N‑COUNT A race meeting is an occasion when a series of horse races are held at the same place, often during a period of several days. [mainly BRIT ]

rac|er /re I sə ^r / (racers )

1 N‑COUNT A racer is a person or animal that takes part in races. □ He is a former champion powerboat racer.

2 N‑COUNT A racer is a vehicle such as a car or bicycle that is designed to be used in races and therefore travels fast.

ra ce re|la |tions N‑PLURAL Race relations are the ways in which people of different races living together in the same community behave towards one another.

ra ce riot (race riots ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Race riots are violent fights between people of different races living in the same community.

race|track /re I stræk/ (racetracks ) also race track

1 N‑COUNT A racetrack is a track on which horses race. [AM ] in BRIT, use racecourse 2 N‑COUNT A racetrack is a track for races, for example car or bicycle races.

ra|cial ◆◇◇ /re I ʃ ^ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Racial describes things relating to people's race. □ …the protection of national and racial minorities. □ …the elimination of racial discrimination. ● ra|cial|ly ADV [ADV -ed/adj] □ …a racially mixed area. SYNONYMS racial ADJ

ethnic: …a survey of Britain's ethnic minorities.

national: …the national characteristics and history of the country.

ra|cial|ism /re I ʃəl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Racialism means the same as racism . [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use racism ● ra|cial|ist ADJ [usu ADJ n] □ …racialist groups.

ra |cial pro |fil|ing N‑UNCOUNT Racial profiling is government or police activity that involves using people’s racial and cultural characteristics to identify people to investigate. □ …controversies involving racial profiling and corruption.

rac|ing ◆◇◇ /re I s I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Racing refers to races between animals, especially horses, or between vehicles. □ Mr Honda was himself a keen racing driver in his younger days. □ …horse racing.

rac|ism /re I s I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Racism is the belief that people of some races are inferior to others, and the behaviour which is the result of this belief. □ There is a feeling among some black people that the level of racism is declining.

rac|ist /re I s I st/ (racists ) ADJ If you describe people, things, or behaviour as racist , you mean that they are influenced by the belief that some people are inferior because they belong to a particular race. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ You have to acknowledge that we live in a racist society. ● N‑COUNT A racist is someone who is racist. □ He has a hard core of support among white racists.

rack /ræ k/ (racks , racking , racked ) The spelling wrack is also used, mainly for meanings 3 and 4 , and mainly in old-fashioned or American English. 1 N‑COUNT A rack is a frame or shelf, usually with bars or hooks, that is used for holding things or for hanging things on. □ My rucksack was too big for the luggage rack.

2 → see also roof rack , toast rack

3 VERB [usu passive] If someone is racked by something such as illness or anxiety, it causes them great suffering or pain. □ [be V -ed + by/with ] His already infirm body was racked by high fever. □ [V -ed] …a teenager racked with guilt and anxiety.

4 → see also racking

5 PHRASE If you rack your brains , you try very hard to think of something. □ She began to rack her brains to remember what had happened at the nursing home.

6 PHRASE If you say that someone is on the rack , you mean that they are suffering either physically or mentally. [JOURNALISM ] □ Only a year ago, he was on the rack with a heroin addiction that began when he was 13.

7 PHRASE If you say that a place is going to rack and ruin , you are emphasizing that it is slowly becoming less attractive or less pleasant because no-one is bothering to look after it. [EMPHASIS ]

8 PHRASE Off-the-rack clothes or goods are made in large numbers, rather than being made specially for a particular person. [AM ] □ …the same off-the-rack dress she's been wearing since the night before. in BRIT, use off-the-peg

▸ rack up PHRASAL VERB [no passive] If a business racks up profits, losses, or sales, it makes a lot of them. If a sportsman, sportswoman, or team racks up wins, they win a lot of matches or races. □ [V P n] Lower rates mean that firms are more likely to rack up profits in the coming months.

rack|et /ræ k I t/ (rackets ) The spelling racquet is also used for meaning 3 . 1 N‑SING A racket is a loud unpleasant noise. □ He makes such a racket I'm afraid he disturbs the neighbours.

2 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] You can refer to an illegal activity used to make money as a racket . [INFORMAL ] □ A smuggling racket is killing thousands of exotic birds each year.

3 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A racket is an oval-shaped bat with strings across it. Rackets are used in tennis, squash, and badminton. □ Tennis rackets and balls are provided.

rack|et|eer /ræ k I t I ə ^r / (racketeers ) N‑COUNT A racketeer is someone who makes money from illegal activities such as threatening people or selling worthless, immoral, or illegal goods or services.

rack|et|eer|ing /ræ k I t I ə r I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Racketeering is making money from illegal activities such as threatening people or selling worthless, immoral, or illegal goods or services.

rack|ing /ræ k I ŋ/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] A racking pain or emotion is a distressing one which you feel very strongly. □ She was now shaking with long, racking sobs.

2 → see also nerve-racking

rac|on|teur /ræ kɒntɜː ^r / (raconteurs ) N‑COUNT A raconteur is someone, usually a man, who can tell stories in an interesting or amusing way. □ He spoke eight languages and was a noted raconteur.

ra|coon /rækuː n/ → see raccoon

rac|quet /ræ k I t/ → see racket

racy /re I si/ (racier , raciest ) ADJ Racy writing or behaviour is lively, amusing, and slightly shocking.

ra|dar /re I dɑː ^r / (radars ) N‑VAR Radar is a way of discovering the position or speed of objects such as aircraft or ships when they cannot be seen, by using radio signals.

ra|dial /re I diəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Radial refers to the pattern that you get when straight lines are drawn from the centre of a circle to a number of points round the edge. □ The white marble floors were inlaid in a radial pattern of brass.

ra|di|ance /re I diəns/

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Radiance is great happiness which shows in someone's face and makes them look very attractive. □ She has the vigour and radiance of someone young enough to be her grand-daughter.

2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Radiance is a glowing light shining from something. □ The dim bulb of the bedside lamp cast a soft radiance over his face.

ra|di|ant /re I diənt/

1 ADJ Someone who is radiant is so happy that their happiness shows in their face. □ On her wedding day the bride looked truly radiant. ● ra|di|ant|ly ADV □ He smiled radiantly and embraced her.

2 ADJ Something that is radiant glows brightly. □ The evening sun warms the old red brick wall to a radiant glow. ● ra|di|ant|ly ADV □ The sun was still shining radiantly.

ra|di|ate /re I die I t/ (radiates , radiating , radiated )

1 VERB If things radiate out from a place, they form a pattern that is like lines drawn from the centre of a circle to various points on its edge. □ [V + from ] …the various walks which radiate from the Heritage Centre. □ [V prep/adv] From here, contaminated air radiates out to the open countryside.

2 VERB If you radiate an emotion or quality or if it radiates from you, people can see it very clearly in your face and in your behaviour. □ [V n] She radiates happiness and health. □ [V + from ] Her voice hadn't changed but I felt the anger that radiated from her.

3 VERB If something radiates heat or light, heat or light comes from it. □ [V n] Stoves are meant to radiate heat.

ra|dia|tion /re I die I ʃ ^ə n/

1 N‑UNCOUNT Radiation consists of very small particles of a radioactive substance. Large amounts of radiation can cause illness and death. □ They fear the long term effects of radiation.

2 N‑UNCOUNT Radiation is energy, especially heat, that comes from a particular source. □ The satellite will study energy radiation from stars.

ra|dia |tion sick|ness N‑UNCOUNT Radiation sickness is an illness that people get when they are exposed to too much radiation.

ra|dia|tor /re I die I tə ^r / (radiators )

1 N‑COUNT A radiator is a hollow metal device, usually connected by pipes to a central heating system, that is used to heat a room.

2 N‑COUNT The radiator in a car is the part of the engine which is filled with water in order to cool the engine.

radi|cal ◆◆◇ /ræ d I k ^ə l/ (radicals )

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Radical changes and differences are very important and great in degree. □ The country needs a period of calm without more surges of radical change. □ The Football League has announced its proposals for a radical reform of the way football is run in England. ● radi|cal|ly /ræ d I kli/ ADV □ …two large groups of people with radically different beliefs and cultures.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Radical people believe that there should be great changes in society and try to bring about these changes. □ …threats by left-wing radical groups to disrupt the proceedings. ● N‑COUNT A radical is someone who has radical views. SYNONYMS radical ADJ 1

extreme: The scheme has been condemned as extreme.

sweeping: The new government has started to make sweeping changes in the economy.

far-reaching: The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented.

radi|cal|ism /ræ d I kəl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Radicalism is radical beliefs, ideas, or behaviour. □ Jones himself was a curious mixture of radicalism and conservatism.

radi|cal|ize /ræ d I kəla I z/ (radicalizes , radicalizing , radicalized ) in BRIT, also use radicalise VERB If something radicalizes a process, situation, or person, it makes them more radical. □ [V n] He says the opposition will radicalize its demands if these conditions aren't met. □ [V -ed] …women radicalized by feminism. □ [V -ing] The trial was a radicalizing experience for her. ● radi|cali|za|tion /ræ d I kəla I ze I ʃ ^ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the radicalization of the conservative right.

ra|dic|chio /ræd I kioʊ, [AM ] rɑːdiː -/ N‑UNCOUNT Radicchio is a vegetable with purple and white leaves that is usually eaten raw in salads.

ra|dii /re I dia I / Radii is the plural of radius .

ra|dio ◆◆◆ /re I dioʊ/ (radios , radioing , radioed )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Radio is the broadcasting of programmes for the public to listen to, by sending out signals from a transmitter. □ The announcement was broadcast on radio and television.

2 N‑SING You can refer to the programmes broadcast by radio stations as the radio . □ A lot of people tend to listen to the radio in the mornings.

3 N‑COUNT A radio is the piece of equipment that you use in order to listen to radio programmes. □ He sat down in the armchair and turned on the radio.

4 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Radio is a system of sending sound over a distance by transmitting electrical signals. □ They are in twice daily radio contact with the rebel leader.

5 N‑COUNT A radio is a piece of equipment that is used for sending and receiving messages. □ …the young constable who managed to raise the alarm on his radio.

6 VERB If you radio someone, you send a message to them by radio. □ [V adv/prep] The officer radioed for advice. □ [V that] A few minutes after take-off, the pilot radioed that a fire had broken out. [Also V n, V ]

radio|ac|tive /re I dioʊæ kt I v/ ADJ Something that is radioactive contains a substance that produces energy in the form of powerful and harmful rays. □ The government has been storing radioactive waste at Fernald for 50 years. ● radio|ac|tiv|ity /re I dioʊækt I v I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …waste which is contaminated with low levels of radioactivity.

ra |dio as|tro no|my N‑UNCOUNT Radio astronomy is a branch of science in which radio telescopes are used to receive and analyse radio waves from space.

radio|car|bon /re I dioʊkɑː ^r bən/ also radio carbon N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Radiocarbon is a type of carbon which is radioactive, and which therefore breaks up slowly at a regular rate. Its presence in an object can be measured in order to find out how old the object is. □ The most frequently used method is radiocarbon dating.

ra dio-contro lled ADJ [usu ADJ n] A radio-controlled device works by receiving radio signals which operate it. □ …radio-controlled model planes.

ra|di|og|ra|pher /re I diɒ grəfə ^r / (radiographers ) N‑COUNT A radiographer is a person who is trained to take X-rays.

ra|di|og|ra|phy /re I diɒ grəfi/ N‑UNCOUNT Radiography is the process of taking X-rays.

radio|logi|cal /re I diəlɒ dʒ I k ^ə l/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] Radiological means relating to radiology. □ …patients subjected to extensive radiological examinations.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Radiological means relating to radioactive materials. □ …the National Radiological Protection Board's guidelines for storing nuclear waste.

ra|di|olo|gist /re I diɒ lədʒ I st/ (radiologists ) N‑COUNT A radiologist is a doctor who is trained in radiology.

ra|di|ol|ogy /re I diɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Radiology is the branch of medical science that uses X-rays and radioactive substances to treat diseases.

ra |dio te le|phone (radio telephones ) N‑COUNT A radio telephone is a telephone which carries sound by sending radio signals rather than by using wires. Radio telephones are often used in cars.

ra |dio te le|scope (radio telescopes ) N‑COUNT A radio telescope is an instrument that receives radio waves from space and finds the position of stars and other objects in space.

radio|thera|pist /re I dioʊθe rəp I st/ (radiotherapists ) N‑COUNT A radiotherapist is a person who treats diseases such as cancer by using radiation.

radio|thera|py /re I dioʊθe rəpi/ N‑UNCOUNT Radiotherapy is the treatment of diseases such as cancer by using radiation.

rad|ish /ræ d I ʃ/ (radishes ) N‑VAR Radishes are small red or white vegetables that are the roots of a plant. They are eaten raw in salads.

ra|dium /re I diəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Radium is a radioactive element which is used in the treatment of cancer.

ra|dius /re I diəs/ (radii /re I dia I /)

1 N‑SING The radius around a particular point is the distance from it in any direction. □ Nigel has searched for work in a ten-mile radius around his home.

2 N‑COUNT The radius of a circle is the distance from its centre to its outside edge. □ [+ of ] He indicated a semicircle with a radius of about thirty miles.

ra|don /re I dɒn/ N‑UNCOUNT Radon is a radioactive element in the form of a gas.

RAF /ɑː r e I e f, ræ f/ N‑PROPER The RAF is the air force of the United Kingdom. RAF is an abbreviation for 'Royal Air Force'. □ An RAF helicopter rescued the men after the boat began taking in water.

raf|fia /ræ fiə/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Raffia is a fibre made from palm leaves. It is used to make mats and baskets.

raff|ish /ræ f I ʃ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Raffish people and places are not very respectable but are attractive and stylish in spite of this. [WRITTEN ] □ He was handsome in a raffish kind of way.

raf|fle /ræ f ^ə l/ (raffles , raffling , raffled )

1 N‑COUNT A raffle is a competition in which you buy tickets with numbers on them. Afterwards some numbers are chosen, and if your ticket has one of these numbers on it, you win a prize. □ Any more raffle tickets? Twenty-five pence each or five for a pound.

2 VERB If someone raffles something, they give it as a prize in a raffle. □ [V n] During each show we will be raffling a fabulous prize.

raft /rɑː ft, ræ ft/ (rafts )

1 N‑COUNT A raft is a floating platform made from large pieces of wood or other materials tied together. □ …a river trip on bamboo rafts through dense rainforest.

2 N‑COUNT A raft is a small rubber or plastic boat that you blow air into to make it float. □ The crew spent two days and nights in their raft.

3 → see also life raft

4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A raft of people or things is a lot of them. □ [+ of ] He has surrounded himself with a raft of advisers who are very radical.

raft|er /rɑː ftə ^r , ræ f-/ (rafters ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Rafters are the sloping pieces of wood that support a roof. □ From the rafters of the thatched roofs hung strings of dried onions and garlic.

raft|ing /rɑː ft I ŋ, ræ f-/ N‑UNCOUNT Rafting is the sport of travelling down a river on a raft. □ …water sports such as boating, fishing, and rafting.

rag /ræ g/ (rags )

1 N‑VAR A rag is a piece of old cloth which you can use to clean or wipe things. □ He was wiping his hands on an oily rag.

2 N‑PLURAL Rags are old torn clothes. □ There were men, women and small children, some dressed in rags.

3 N‑COUNT People refer to a newspaper as a rag when they have a poor opinion of it. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ 'This man Tom works for a local rag,' he said.

4 → see also ragged

5 PHRASE You use rags to riches to describe the way in which someone quickly becomes very rich after they have been quite poor. □ His was a rags-to-riches story and people admire that.

6 PHRASE If you describe something as a red rag to a bull , you mean that it is certain to make a particular person or group very angry. [mainly BRIT ] □ This sort of information is like a red rag to a bull for the tobacco companies.

raga /rɑː gə/ (ragas ) N‑COUNT A raga is a piece of Indian music based on a traditional scale or pattern of notes which is also called a raga .

raga|muf|fin /ræ gəmʌf I n/ (ragamuffins ) N‑COUNT A ragamuffin is someone, especially a child, who is dirty and has torn clothes. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ They looked like little ragamuffins.

ra g-and-bo ne man (rag-and-bone men ) N‑COUNT A rag-and-bone man is a person who goes from street to street in a vehicle or with a horse and cart buying things such as old clothes and furniture. [BRIT ] in AM, use junkman , junk dealer

rag|bag /ræ gbæg/ also rag-bag N‑SING A ragbag of things is a group of things which do not have much in common with each other, but which are being considered together. □ [+ of ] Carol Reed's film follows a ragbag of British army conscripts as they are turned into an efficient unit.

ra g do ll (rag dolls ) N‑COUNT A rag doll is a soft doll made of cloth.

rage ◆◇◇ /re I dʒ/ (rages , raging , raged )

1 N‑VAR Rage is strong anger that is difficult to control. □ He was red-cheeked with rage. □ I flew into a rage.

2 VERB You say that something powerful or unpleasant rages when it continues with great force or violence. □ [V ] Train services were halted as the fire raged for more than four hours. □ [V on ] The war rages on and the time has come to take sides.

3 VERB If you rage about something, you speak or think very angrily about it. □ [V + about/against/at ] Monroe was on the phone, raging about her mistreatment by the brothers. □ [V ] Inside, Frannie was raging. □ [V with quote] 'I can't see it's any of your business,' he raged.

4 N‑UNCOUNT [n N ] You can refer to the strong anger that someone feels in a particular situation as a particular rage , especially when this results in violent or aggressive behaviour. □ Cabin crews are reporting up to nine cases of air rage a week.

5 → see also road rage

6 N‑SING When something is popular and fashionable, you can say that it is the rage or all the rage . [INFORMAL ] □ The 1950s look is all the rage at the moment.

7 → see also raging

rag|ga /ræ gə/ N‑UNCOUNT Ragga is a style of pop music similar to rap music which began in the West Indies.

rag|ged /ræ g I d/

1 ADJ Someone who is ragged looks untidy and is wearing clothes that are old and torn. □ The five survivors eventually reached safety, ragged, half-starved and exhausted. ● rag|ged|ly ADV [ADV -ed] □ …raggedly dressed children.

2 ADJ Ragged clothes are old and torn.

3 ADJ You can say that something is ragged when it is untidy or uneven. □ O'Brien formed the men into a ragged line. ● rag|ged|ly ADV [ADV after v, ADV -ed] □ Some people tried to sing, but their voices soon died raggedly away.

rag|gedy /ræ g I di/ ADJ People and things that are raggedy are dirty and untidy. Raggedy clothes are old and torn. [INFORMAL ] □ …an old man in a raggedy topcoat.

rag|ing /re I dʒ I ŋ/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] Raging water moves very forcefully and violently. □ The field trip involved crossing a raging torrent.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Raging fire is very hot and fierce. □ As he came closer he saw a gigantic wall of raging flame before him.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] Raging is used to describe things, especially bad things, that are very intense. □ If raging inflation returns, then interest rates will shoot up. □ He felt a raging thirst.

4 → see also rage

ra|gout /ræguː / (ragouts ) N‑VAR A ragout is a strongly flavoured stew of meat or vegetables or both.

ra g rug (rag rugs ) N‑COUNT A rag rug is a small carpet made of old pieces of cloth stitched or woven together.

rag|tag /ræ gtæg/ also rag-tag ADJ [ADJ n] If you want to say that a group of people or an organization is badly organized and not very respectable, you can describe it as a ragtag group or organization. [INFORMAL ] □ We started out with a little rag-tag team of 30 people.

rag|time /ræ gta I m/ N‑UNCOUNT Ragtime is a kind of jazz piano music that was invented in America in the early 1900s.

ra g trade N‑SING The rag trade is the business and industry of making and selling clothes, especially women's clothes. □ The rag trade is extremely competitive, and one needs plenty of contacts in order to survive.

raid ◆◇◇ /re I d/ (raids , raiding , raided )

1 VERB When soldiers raid a place, they make a sudden armed attack against it, with the aim of causing damage rather than occupying any of the enemy's land. □ [V n] The guerrillas raided banks and destroyed a police barracks and an electricity substation. ● N‑COUNT Raid is also a noun. □ [+ on/against ] The rebels attempted a surprise raid on a military camp.

2 → see also air raid

3 VERB If the police raid a building, they enter it suddenly and by force in order to look for dangerous criminals or for evidence of something illegal, such as drugs or weapons. □ [V n] Fraud squad officers raided the firm's offices. ● N‑COUNT Raid is also a noun. □ [+ on ] They were arrested early this morning after a raid on a house by thirty armed police.

4 VERB If someone raids a building or place, they enter it by force in order to steal something. [BRIT ] □ [V n] A 19-year-old man has been found guilty of raiding a bank. ● N‑COUNT Raid is also a noun. □ [+ on ] …an armed raid on a small Post Office.

5 VERB If you raid the fridge or the larder, you take food from it to eat instead of a meal or in between meals. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] She made her way to the kitchen to raid the fridge.

raid|er /re I də ^r / (raiders )

1 N‑COUNT Raiders are people who enter a building or place by force in order to steal something. [BRIT ] □ The raiders escaped with cash and jewellery.

2 → see also corporate raider

rail ◆◇◇ /re I l/ (rails , railing , railed )

1 N‑COUNT A rail is a horizontal bar attached to posts or fixed round the edge of something as a fence or support. □ She gripped the thin rail in the lift.

2 N‑COUNT A rail is a horizontal bar that you hang things on. □ This pair of curtains will fit a rail up to 7ft 6in wide.

3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Rails are the steel bars which trains run on. □ The train left the rails but somehow forced its way back onto the line.

4 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] If you travel or send something by rail , you travel or send it on a train. □ The president traveled by rail to his home town.

5 VERB If you rail against something, you criticize it loudly and angrily. [WRITTEN ] □ [V + against/at ] He railed against hypocrisy and greed.

6 → see also railing

7 PHRASE If something is back on the rails , it is beginning to be successful again after a period when it almost failed. [JOURNALISM ] □ They are keen to get the negotiating process back on the rails.

8 PHRASE If someone goes off the rails , they start to behave in a way that other people think is unacceptable or very strange, for example they start taking drugs or breaking the law. □ They've got to do something about these children because clearly they've gone off the rails.

rail|card /re I lkɑː ^r d/ (railcards ) N‑COUNT A railcard is an identity card that allows people to buy train tickets cheaply. [BRIT ]

rail|ing /re I l I ŋ/ (railings )

1 N‑COUNT A fence made from metal bars is called a railing or railings . □ He walked out on to the balcony where he rested his arms on the railing.

2 → see also rail

rail|road /re I lroʊd/ (railroads , railroading , railroaded )

1 N‑COUNT A railroad is a route between two places along which trains travel on steel rails. [AM ] □ …railroad tracks that led to nowhere. in BRIT, use railway 2 N‑COUNT A railroad is a company or organization that operates railway routes. [AM ] □ …The Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. in BRIT, use railway 3 VERB If you railroad someone into doing something, you make them do it although they do not really want to, by hurrying them and putting pressure on them. □ [V n + into ] She is a distractingly beautiful actress who has refused to be railroaded into rom-coms. □ [V n through ] He railroaded the reforms through.

rail|way ◆◇◇ /re I lwe I / (railways )

1 N‑COUNT A railway is a route between two places along which trains travel on steel rails. [mainly BRIT ] □ The road ran beside a railway. □ …a disused railway line. in AM, usually use railroad 2 N‑COUNT A railway is a company or organization that operates railway routes. [BRIT ] □ …the state-owned French railway. □ …the privatisation of the railways. in AM, use railroad 3 N‑COUNT A railway is the system and network of tracks that trains travel on. [mainly AM ]

rail|way|man /re I lwe I mən/ (railwaymen ) N‑COUNT Railwaymen are men who work for the railway. [BRIT ] in AM, use rail workers , railroad workers

rai|ment /re I mənt/ N‑UNCOUNT Raiment is clothing. [LITERARY ] □ I want nothing but raiment and daily bread.

rain ◆◆◇ /re I n/ (rains , raining , rained )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] Rain is water that falls from the clouds in small drops. □ I hope you didn't get soaked standing out in the rain.

2 N‑PLURAL In countries where rain only falls in certain seasons, this rain is referred to as the rains . □ …the spring, when the rains came.

3 VERB When rain falls, you can say that it is raining . □ [V ] It was raining hard, and she hadn't an umbrella.

4 VERB If someone rains blows, kicks, or bombs on a person or place, the person or place is attacked by many blows, kicks, or bombs. You can also say that blows, kicks, or bombs rain on a person or place. □ [V n + on ] The police, raining blows on rioters and spectators alike, cleared the park. □ [V + on ] Rockets, mortars and artillery rounds rained on buildings. ● PHRASAL VERB Rain down means the same as rain . □ [V P n] Fighter aircraft rained down high explosives. □ [V P + on ] Grenades and mortars rained down on the city.

5 PHRASE If you say that someone does something rain or shine , you mean that they do it regularly, without being affected by the weather or other circumstances. □ Frances took her daughter walking every day, rain or shine.

▸ rain off PHRASAL VERB If a sports game is rained off , it has to stop, or it is not able to start, because of rain. [BRIT ] □ [be V -ed P ] Most of the games have been rained off. □ [V -ed P ] …a rained-off cricket match. in AM, use rain out

▸ rain out PHRASAL VERB If a sports game is rained out , it has to stop, or it is not able to start, because of rain. [AM ] □ [be V -ed P ] Saturday's game was rained out. in BRIT, use rain off COLLOCATIONS rain NOUN 1

noun + rain : monsoon

adjective + rain : driving, heavy, pouring, torrential; light

verb + rain : brave

rain|bow /re I nboʊ/ (rainbows ) N‑COUNT A rainbow is an arch of different colours that you can sometimes see in the sky when it is raining. □ …silk brocade of every colour of the rainbow.

rai n check (rain checks )

1 N‑SING If you say you will take a rain check on an offer or suggestion, you mean that you do not want to accept it now, but you might accept it at another time. □ Can I take a rain check on that?

2 N‑COUNT A rain check is a free ticket that is given to people when an outdoor game or event is stopped because of rain or bad weather, so that they can go to it when it is held again. [AM ]

rain|coat /re I nkoʊt/ (raincoats ) N‑COUNT A raincoat is a waterproof coat.

rain|drop /re I ndrɒp/ (raindrops ) N‑COUNT A raindrop is a single drop of rain.

rain|fall /re I nfɔːl/ N‑UNCOUNT Rainfall is the amount of rain that falls in a place during a particular period. □ There have been four years of below average rainfall.

rain|for|est /re I nfɒr I st, [AM ] -fɔːr-/ (rainforests ) in AM, also use rain forest N‑VAR A rainforest is a thick forest of tall trees which is found in tropical areas where there is a lot of rain.

rain|storm /re I nstɔː ^r m/ (rainstorms ) N‑COUNT A rainstorm is a fall of very heavy rain. □ His car collided with another car during a heavy rainstorm.

rai n-swept also rainswept ADJ [ADJ n] A rain-swept place is a place where it is raining heavily. □ He looked up and down the rain-swept street.

rain|water /re I nwɔːtə ^r / N‑UNCOUNT Rainwater is water that has fallen as rain.

rainy /re I ni/ (rainier , rainiest )

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] During a rainy day, season, or period it rains a lot. □ The rainy season in the Andes normally starts in December.

2 PHRASE If you say that you are saving something, especially money, for a rainy day , you mean that you are saving it until a time in the future when you might need it. □ I'll put the rest in the bank for a rainy day.

raise ◆◆◆ /re I z/ (raises , raising , raised )

1 VERB If you raise something, you move it so that it is in a higher position. □ [V n] He raised his hand to wave. □ [V n prep/adv] Milton raised the glass to his lips. □ [V -ed] …a small raised platform.

2 VERB If you raise a flag, you display it by moving it up a pole or into a high place where it can be seen. □ [V n] They had raised the white flag in surrender.

3 VERB If you raise yourself , you lift your body so that you are standing up straight, or so that you are no longer lying flat. □ [V pron-refl] He raised himself into a sitting position.

4 VERB If you raise the rate or level of something, you increase it. □ [V n] The Republic of Ireland is expected to raise interest rates. □ [V -ed] …a raised body temperature.

5 VERB To raise the standard of something means to improve it. □ [V n] …a new drive to raise standards of literacy in Britain's schools.

6 VERB If you raise your voice , you speak more loudly, usually because you are angry. □ [V n] Don't you raise your voice to me, Henry Rollins!

7 N‑COUNT A raise is an increase in your wages or salary. [AM ] □ Within two months Kelly got a raise. in BRIT, use rise 8 VERB If you raise money for a charity or an institution, you ask people for money which you collect on its behalf. □ [V n + for ] …events held to raise money for Help the Aged.

9 VERB If a person or company raises money that they need, they manage to get it, for example by selling their property or by borrowing. □ [V n] They raised the money to buy the house and two hundred acres of grounds.

10 VERB If an event raises a particular emotion or question, it makes people feel the emotion or consider the question. □ [V n] The agreement has raised hopes that the war may end soon. □ [V n] The accident again raises questions about the safety of the plant.

11 VERB If you raise a subject, an objection, or a question, you mention it or bring it to someone's attention. □ [V n] He had been consulted and had raised no objections.

12 VERB Someone who raises a child looks after it until it is grown up. □ [V n] My mother was an amazing woman. She raised four of us kids virtually singlehandedly.

13 VERB If someone raises a particular type of animal or crop, they breed that type of animal or grow that type of crop. □ [V n] He raises 2,000 acres of wheat and hay.

14 to raise the alarm → see alarm

15 to raise your eyebrows → see eyebrow

16 to raise a finger → see finger

17 to raise hell → see hell

18 to raise a laugh → see laugh

19 to raise the roof → see roof SYNONYMS raise VERB

1

lift: She lifted the last of her drink to her lips.

elevate: Jack elevated the gun at the sky.

4

increase: The company has increased the price of its cars.

elevate: Emotional stress can elevate blood pressure.

inflate: The promotion of a big release can inflate a film's final cost.

augment: While searching for a way to augment the family income, she began making dolls.

rai|sin /re I z ^ə n/ (raisins ) N‑COUNT Raisins are dried grapes.

rai|son d'etre /re I zɒn de trə/ also raison d'être N‑SING [usu with poss] A person's or organization's raison d'etre is the most important reason for them existing in the way that they do. □ …a debate about the raison d'etre of the armed forces.

Raj /rɑʒ / N‑SING The British Raj was the period of British rule in India which ended in 1947. □ …Indian living conditions under the Raj.

rake /re I k/ (rakes , raking , raked )

1 N‑COUNT A rake is a garden tool consisting of a row of metal or wooden teeth attached to a long handle. You can use a rake to make the earth smooth and level before you put plants in, or to gather leaves together.

2 VERB If you rake a surface, you move a rake across it in order to make it smooth and level. □ [V n] Rake the soil, press the seed into it, then cover it lightly.

3 VERB If you rake leaves or ashes, you move them somewhere using a rake or a similar tool. □ [V n adv/prep] I watched the men rake leaves into heaps.

▸ rake in PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone is raking in money, you mean that they are making a lot of money very easily, more easily than you think they should. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] The privatisation allowed companies to rake in huge profits. [Also V n P ]

▸ rake over PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone is raking over something that has been said, done, or written in the past, you mean that they are examining and discussing it in detail, in a way that you do not think is very pleasant. □ [V P n] Nobody wanted to rake over his past history.

▸ rake up PHRASAL VERB If someone is raking up something unpleasant or embarrassing that happened in the past, they are talking about it when you would prefer them not to mention it. □ [V P n] Raking up the past won't help anyone. [Also V n P ]

raked /re I kt/ ADJ [ADJ n] A raked stage or other surface is sloping, for example so that all the audience can see more clearly. □ The action takes place on a steeply raked stage.

ra ke-off (rake-offs ) N‑COUNT If someone who has helped to arrange a business deal takes or gets a rake-off , they illegally or unfairly take a share of the profits. [INFORMAL ]

rak|ish /re I k I ʃ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A rakish person or appearance is stylish in a confident, bold way. □ …a soft-brimmed hat which he wore at a rakish angle. ● rak|ish|ly ADV □ …a hat cocked rakishly over one eye.

ral|ly ◆◇◇ /ræ li/ (rallies , rallying , rallied )

1 N‑COUNT A rally is a large public meeting that is held in order to show support for something such as a political party. □ About three thousand people held a rally to mark international human rights day.

2 VERB When people rally to something or when something rallies them, they unite to support it. □ [V + to ] His supporters have rallied to his defence. □ [V n] He rallied his own supporters for a fight.

3 VERB When someone or something rallies , they begin to recover or improve after having been weak. □ [V ] He rallied enough to thank his doctors. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Rally is also a noun. □ After a brief rally the shares returned to 126p.

4 N‑COUNT A rally is a competition in which vehicles are driven over public roads. □ …an accomplished rally driver.

5 N‑COUNT A rally in tennis, badminton, or squash is a continuous series of shots that the players exchange without stopping. □ …a long rally.

▸ rally around in BRIT, also use rally round PHRASAL VERB When people rally around or rally round , they work as a group in order to support someone or something at a difficult time. □ [V P ] So many people have rallied round to help the family. □ [V P n] Connie's friends rallied round her.

ra l|ly|ing cry (rallying cries ) N‑COUNT A rallying cry or rallying call is something such as a word or phrase, an event, or a belief which encourages people to unite and to act in support of a particular group or idea. □ …the more political songs such as Meat Is Murder's rallying cry for vegetarianism.

ra l|ly|ing point (rallying points ) N‑COUNT A rallying point is a place, event, or person that people are attracted to as a symbol of a political group or ideal. □ He could serve as a rallying point for unity and independence.

ram /ræ m/ (rams , ramming , rammed )

1 VERB If a vehicle rams something such as another vehicle, it crashes into it with a lot of force, usually deliberately. □ [V n] The thieves fled, ramming the police officer's car.

2 VERB If you ram something somewhere, you push it there with great force. □ [V n adv/prep] He rammed the key into the lock and kicked the front door open.

3 N‑COUNT A ram is an adult male sheep.

4 → see also battering ram

5 PHRASE If something rams home a message or a point, it makes it clear in a way that is very forceful and that people are likely to listen to. □ The report by Marks & Spencer's chairman will ram this point home.

6 to ram something down someone's throat → see throat

RAM /ræ m/ N‑UNCOUNT RAM is the part of a computer in which information is stored while you are using it. RAM is an abbreviation for 'Random Access Memory'. [COMPUTING ] □ First examine the amount of RAM in your laptop, as too little can affect sound quality.

Rama|dan /ræ mədæn/ N‑UNCOUNT Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year, when Muslims do not eat between the rising and setting of the sun. During Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the fact that it was in this month that God first revealed the words of the Quran to Mohammed.

ram|ble /ræ mb ^ə l/ (rambles , rambling , rambled )

1 N‑COUNT A ramble is a long walk in the countryside. □ …an hour's ramble through the woods.

2 VERB If you ramble , you go on a long walk in the countryside. □ [V adv/prep] …freedom to ramble across the moors.

3 VERB If you say that a person rambles in their speech or writing, you mean they do not make much sense because they keep going off the subject in a confused way. □ [V ] Sometimes she spoke sensibly; sometimes she rambled.

▸ ramble on PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone is rambling on , you mean that they have been talking for a long time in a boring and rather confused way. □ [V P ] She only half-listened as Ella rambled on. □ [V P + about ] He stood in my kitchen, rambling on about Lillian.

ram|bler /ræ mblə ^r / (ramblers ) N‑COUNT A rambler is a person whose hobby is going on long walks in the countryside, often as part of an organized group. [BRIT ]

ram|bling /ræ mbl I ŋ/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A rambling building is big and old with an irregular shape. □ …that rambling house and its bizarre contents.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a speech or piece of writing as rambling , you are criticizing it for being too long and very confused. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ His actions were accompanied by a rambling monologue.

ram|blings /ræ mbl I ŋz/ N‑PLURAL [usu with poss] If you describe a speech or piece of writing as someone's ramblings , you are saying that it is meaningless because the person who said or wrote it was very confused or insane. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The official dismissed the speech as the ramblings of a desperate lunatic.

ram|bunc|tious /ræmbʌ ŋkʃəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A rambunctious person is energetic in a cheerful, noisy way. [mainly AM ] □ …a very rambunctious and energetic class. in BRIT, usually use rumbustious

ram|ekin /ræ m I k I n/ (ramekins ) N‑COUNT A ramekin or a ramekin dish is a small dish in which food for one person can be baked in the oven.

rami|fi|ca|tion /ræ m I f I ke I ʃ ^ə n/ (ramifications ) N‑COUNT [usu pl, oft with poss] The ramifications of a decision, plan, or event are all its consequences and effects, especially ones which are not obvious at first. □ [+ of ] Consider the long-term ramifications of any loan.

ramp /ræ mp/ (ramps ) N‑COUNT A ramp is a sloping surface between two places that are at different levels. □ Lillian was coming down the ramp from the museum.

ram|page (rampages , rampaging , rampaged ) Pronounced /ræmpe I dʒ/ for meaning 1 , and /ræ mpe I dʒ/ for meaning 2 . 1 VERB When people or animals rampage through a place, they rush about there in a wild or violent way, causing damage or destruction. □ [V adv/prep] Hundreds of youths rampaged through the town, shop windows were smashed and cars overturned. □ [V -ing] He used a sword to try to defend his shop from a rampaging mob.

2 PHRASE If people go on the rampage , they rush about in a wild or violent way, causing damage or destruction. □ The prisoners went on the rampage destroying everything in their way.

ram|pant /ræ mpənt/ ADJ If you describe something bad, such as a crime or disease, as rampant , you mean that it is very common and is increasing in an uncontrolled way. □ Inflation is rampant and industry in decline.

ram|part /ræ mpɑː ^r t/ (ramparts ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] The ramparts of a castle or city are the earth walls, often with stone walls on them, that were built to protect it. □ …a walk along the ramparts of the Old City.

ra m-raid (ram-raids , ram-raiding , ram-raided )

1 N‑COUNT A ram-raid is the crime of using a car to drive into and break a shop window in order to steal things from the shop. [BRIT ] □ A shop in Station Road was the target of a ram-raid early yesterday.

2 VERB If people ram-raid , they use a car to drive into and break a shop window in order to steal things from the shop. [BRIT ] □ [V ] The kids who are joyriding and ram-raiding are unemployed. [Also V n] ● ram-raider (ram-raiders ) N‑COUNT □ Ram-raiders smashed their way into a high-class store.

ram|rod /ræ mrɒd/ (ramrods )

1 N‑COUNT A ramrod is a long, thin rod which can be used for pushing something into a narrow tube. Ramrods were used, for example, for forcing an explosive substance down the barrel of an old-fashioned gun, or for cleaning the barrel of a gun.

2 PHRASE If someone sits or stands like a ramrod or straight as a ramrod , they have a very straight back and appear rather stiff and formal. □ …a woman with iron grey hair, high cheekbones and a figure like a ramrod.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone has a ramrod back or way of standing, they have a very straight back and hold themselves in a rather stiff and formal way. □ I don't have the ramrod posture I had when I was in the Navy. ● ADV [ADV adj] Ramrod is also an adverb. □ At 75, she's still ramrod straight.

ram|shack|le /ræ mʃæk ^ə l/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A ramshackle building is badly made or in bad condition, and looks as if it is likely to fall down. □ They entered the shop, which was a curious ramshackle building.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A ramshackle system, union, or collection of things has been put together without much thought and is not likely to work very well. □ They joined with a ramshackle alliance of other rebels.

ran /ræ n/ Ran is the past tense of run .

ranch /rɑː ntʃ, ræ ntʃ/ (ranches )

1 N‑COUNT A ranch is a large farm used for raising animals, especially cattle, horses, or sheep. □ He lives on a cattle ranch in Australia.

2 → see also dude ranch

ranch|er /rɑː ntʃə ^r , ræ n-/ (ranchers ) N‑COUNT A rancher is someone who owns or manages a large farm, especially one used for raising cattle, horses, or sheep. □ …a cattle rancher.

ranch|ing /rɑː ntʃ I ŋ, ræ n-/ N‑UNCOUNT Ranching is the activity of running a large farm, especially one used for raising cattle, horses, or sheep.

ran|cid /ræ ns I d/ ADJ If butter, bacon, or other oily foods are rancid , they have gone bad and taste old and unpleasant. □ Butter is perishable and can go rancid.

ran|cor /ræ ŋkər/ → see rancour

ran|cor|ous /ræ ŋkərəs/ ADJ A rancorous argument or person is full of bitterness and anger. [FORMAL ] □ The deal ended after a series of rancorous disputes.

ran|cour /ræ ŋkə ^r / in AM, use rancor N‑UNCOUNT Rancour is a feeling of bitterness and anger. [FORMAL ] □ 'That's too bad,' Teddy said without rancour.

rand /ræ nd/ (rands or rand ) N‑COUNT The rand is the unit of currency used in South Africa. □ …12 million rand. ● N‑SING The rand is also used to refer to the South African currency system. □ The rand slumped by 22% against the dollar.

R&B /ɑː r ən biː / N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] R&B is a style of popular music developed in the 1940s from blues music, but using electrically amplified instruments. R&B is an abbreviation for 'rhythm and blues'.

R&D /ɑː r ən diː / also R and D N‑UNCOUNT [oft in/on N ] R&D refers to the research and development work or department within a large company or organization. R&D is an abbreviation for 'Research and Development'. □ Businesses need to train their workers better, and spend more on R&D.

ran|dom /ræ ndəm/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A random sample or method is one in which all the people or things involved have an equal chance of being chosen. □ The survey used a random sample of two thousand people across England and Wales. □ The competitors will be subject to random drug testing. ● ran|dom|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …interviews with a randomly selected sample of thirty girls aged between 13 and 18.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe events as random , you mean that they do not seem to follow a definite plan or pattern. □ …random violence against innocent victims. ● ran|dom|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …drinks and magazines left scattered randomly around.

3 PHRASE If you choose people or things at random , you do not use any particular method, so they all have an equal chance of being chosen. □ We received several answers, and we picked one at random.

4 PHRASE If something happens at random , it happens without a definite plan or pattern. □ Three people were killed by shots fired at random from a minibus.

ran|dom|ize /ræ ndəma I z/ (randomizes , randomizing , randomized ) in BRIT, also use randomise VERB If you randomize the events or people in scientific experiments or academic research, you use a method that gives them all an equal chance of happening or being chosen. [TECHNICAL ] □ [V n] The wheel is designed with obstacles in the ball's path to randomise its movement. □ [V -ed] Properly randomized studies are only now being completed.

R & R /ɑː r ən ɑː r/ also R and R

1 N‑UNCOUNT R & R refers to time that you spend relaxing, when you are not working. R & R is an abbreviation for 'rest and recreation'. [mainly AM ] □ Winter spas are now the smart set's choice for serious R & R.

2 N‑UNCOUNT R & R refers to time that members of the armed forces spend relaxing, away from their usual duties. R & R is an abbreviation for 'rest and recuperation'. [AM ] □ Twenty-five years ago Pattaya was a sleepy fishing village. Then it was discovered by American soldiers on R & R from Vietnam.

randy /ræ ndi/ (randier , randiest ) ADJ Someone who is randy is sexually excited and eager to have sex. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ It was extremely hot and I was feeling rather randy.

rang /ræ ŋ/ Rang is the past tense of ring .

range ◆◆◇ /re I ndʒ/ (ranges , ranging , ranged )

1 N‑COUNT A range of things is a number of different things of the same general kind. □ [+ of ] A wide range of colours and patterns are available. □ [+ of ] The two men discussed a range of issues.

2 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A range is the complete group that is included between two points on a scale of measurement or quality. □ The average age range is between 35 and 55. □ …properties available in the price range they are looking for.

3 N‑COUNT The range of something is the maximum area in which it can reach things or detect things. □ [+ of ] The 120mm mortar has a range of 18,000 yards.

4 VERB If things range between two points or range from one point to another, they vary within these points on a scale of measurement or quality. □ [V from n to n] They range in price from $3 to $15. □ [V from n to n] …offering merchandise ranging from the everyday to the esoteric. □ [V + between ] …temperatures ranging between 5°C and 20°C.

5 N‑COUNT A range of mountains or hills is a line of them. □ …the massive mountain ranges to the north.

6 N‑COUNT A rifle range or a shooting range is a place where people can practise shooting at targets. □ It reminds me of my days on the rifle range preparing for duty in Vietnam.

7 N‑COUNT A range or kitchen range is an old-fashioned metal cooker. [BRIT ]

8 N‑COUNT A range or kitchen range is a large metal device for cooking food using gas or electricity. A range consists of a grill, an oven, and some gas or electric rings. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use cooker 9 → see also free-range

10 PHRASE If something is in range or within range , it is near enough to be reached or detected. If it is out of range , it is too far away to be reached or detected. □ Cars are driven through the mess, splashing everyone in range. □ …a base within range of enemy missiles. □ The fish stayed 50 yards offshore, well out of range.

11 PHRASE If you see or hit something at close range or from close range , you are very close to it when you see it or hit it. If you do something at a range of half a mile, for example, you are half a mile away from it when you do it. □ He was shot in the head at close range. □ The enemy opened fire at a range of only 20 yards.

range|finder /re I ndʒfa I ndə ^r / (rangefinders ) N‑COUNT A rangefinder is an instrument, usually part of a camera or a piece of military equipment, that measures the distance between things that are far away from each other.

rang|er /re I ndʒə ^r / (rangers ) N‑COUNT A ranger is a person whose job is to look after a forest or large park. □ Bill Justice is a park ranger at the Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

rangy /re I ndʒi/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a person or animal as rangy , you mean that they have long, thin, powerful legs. [WRITTEN ] □ …a tall, rangy, redheaded girl.

rank ◆◇◇ /ræ ŋk/ (ranker , rankest , ranks , ranking , ranked )

1 N‑VAR Someone's rank is the position or grade that they have in an organization. □ [+ of ] He eventually rose to the rank of captain. □ The former head of counter-intelligence had been stripped of his rank and privileges.

2 N‑VAR Someone's rank is the social class, especially the high social class, that they belong to. [FORMAL ] □ He must be treated as a hostage of high rank, not as a common prisoner.

3 VERB If an official organization ranks someone or something 1st, 5th, or 50th, for example, they calculate that the person or thing has that position on a scale. You can also say that someone or something ranks 1st, 5th, or 50th, for example. □ [V n ord + in/out of ] The report ranks the U.K. 20th out of 22 advanced nations. □ [be V -ed + in ] She was ranked in the top 50 of the women's world rankings. □ [V + in/among ] Mr Short does not even rank in the world's top ten.

4 VERB If you say that someone or something ranks high or low on a scale or if you rank them high or low, you are saying how good or important you think they are. □ [V adj + among ] His prices rank high among those of other contemporary photographers. □ [V n adj + among ] Investors ranked South Korea high among Asian nations. □ [V as adj] St Petersburg's night life ranks as more exciting than the capital's. □ [V n as adj] 18 per cent of women ranked sex as very important in their lives. □ [V + as ] The Ritz-Carlton in Aspen has to rank as one of the most extraordinary hotels I have ever been to. [Also V n among n, V among n, V n as n]

5 N‑PLURAL The ranks of a group or organization are the people who belong to it. □ [+ of ] There were some misgivings within the ranks of the media too.

6 N‑PLURAL [oft prep N ] The ranks are the ordinary members of an organization, especially of the armed forces. □ Most store managers have worked their way up through the ranks.

7 N‑COUNT A rank of people or things is a row of them. □ [+ of ] Ranks of police in riot gear stood nervously by.

8 N‑COUNT A taxi rank is a place on a city street where taxis park when they are available for hire. [mainly BRIT ] □ The man led the way to the taxi rank. in AM, use stand 9 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use rank to emphasize a bad or undesirable quality that exists in an extreme form. [FORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ He called it 'rank hypocrisy' that the government was now promoting equal rights.

10 ADJ You can describe something as rank when it has a strong and unpleasant smell. [OLD-FASHIONED , WRITTEN ] □ The kitchen was rank with the smell of drying uniforms. □ …the rank smell of unwashed clothes.

11 PHRASE If you say that a member of a group or organization breaks ranks , you mean that they disobey the instructions of their group or organization. □ She broke ranks with her father's old party when she stood as an independent.

12 PHRASE If you say that the members of a group close ranks , you mean that they are supporting each other only because their group is being criticized. □ Institutions tend to close ranks when a member has been accused of misconduct.

13 PHRASE If you experience something, usually something bad, that other people have experienced, you can say that you have joined their ranks . □ Last month, 370,000 Americans joined the ranks of the unemployed.

14 PHRASE If you say that someone in authority pulls rank , you mean that they unfairly force other people to do what they want because of their higher rank or position. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The Captain pulled rank and made his sergeant row the entire way.

ra nk and fi le N‑SING The rank and file are the ordinary members of an organization or the ordinary workers in a company, as opposed to its leaders or managers. [JOURNALISM ] □ There was widespread support for him among the rank and file.

-ranked /-ræŋkt/ COMB [ADJ n] -ranked is added to words, usually numbers like 'first', 'second', and 'third', to form adjectives which indicate what position someone or something has in a list or scale. □ She is Canada's second-ranked sprinter. □ …the world's ten highest-ranked players.

rank|ing ◆◇◇ /ræ ŋk I ŋ/ (rankings )

1 N‑PLURAL In many sports, the list of the best players made by an official organization is called the rankings . □ …the 25 leading teams in the world rankings.

2 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] Someone's ranking is their position in an official list of the best players of a sport. □ [+ of ] Agassi was playing well above his world ranking of 12.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] The ranking member of a group, usually a political group, is the most senior person in it. [AM ] □ …the ranking Republican on the senate intelligence committee.

-ranking /-ræŋk I ŋ/ COMB [ADJ n] -ranking is used to form adjectives which indicate what rank someone has in an organization. □ …a colonel on trial with three lower-ranking officers.

ran|kle /ræ ŋk ^ə l/ (rankles , rankling , rankled ) VERB If an event or situation rankles , it makes you feel angry or bitter afterwards, because you think it was unfair or wrong. □ [V ] They paid him only £10 for it and it really rankled. □ [V + with ] Britain's refusal to sell Portugal arms in 1937 still rankled with him. □ [V n] The only thing that rankles me is what she says about Ireland.

ran|sack /ræ nsæk/ (ransacks , ransacking , ransacked ) VERB If people ransack a building, they damage things in it or make it very untidy, often because they are looking for something in a quick and careless way. □ [V n] Demonstrators ransacked and burned the house where he was staying. ● ran|sack|ing N‑SING □ [+ of ] …the ransacking of the opposition party's offices.

ran|som /ræ nsəm/ (ransoms , ransoming , ransomed )

1 N‑VAR A ransom is the money that has to be paid to someone so that they will set free a person they have kidnapped. □ Her kidnapper successfully extorted a £175,000 ransom for her release.

2 VERB If you ransom someone who has been kidnapped, you pay the money to set them free. □ [V n] The same system was used for ransoming or exchanging captives.

3 PHRASE If a kidnapper is holding someone to ransom or holding them ransom in British English, or is holding a person for ransom in American English, they keep that person prisoner until they are given what they want. □ He is charged with kidnapping a businessman last year and holding him for ransom.

4 PHRASE If you say that someone is holding you to ransom in British English, or holding you for ransom in American English, you mean that they are using their power to try to force you to do something which you do not want to do. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was accused of trying to hold Arsenal to ransom over a new contract.

ran|som|ware /ræ nsəmweə ^r / N‑UNCOUNT Ransomware is illegal computer software that stops a computer from working or prevents the computer user from getting information until they have paid some money. □ You need to protect your computer from ransomware.

rant /ræ nt/ (rants , ranting , ranted )

1 VERB If you say that someone rants , you mean that they talk loudly or angrily, and exaggerate or say foolish things. □ [V ] As the boss began to rant, I stood up and went out. □ [V + on ] Even their three dogs got bored and fell asleep as he ranted on. □ [V with quote] 'Let's get it over and done with!' he ranted. ● N‑COUNT Rant is also a noun. □ Part I is a rant against organised religion. ● rant|ing (rantings ) N‑VAR □ He had been listening to Goldstone's rantings all night.

2 PHRASE If you say that someone rants and raves , you mean that they talk loudly and angrily in an uncontrolled way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I don't rant and rave or throw tea cups.

rap /ræ p/ (raps , rapping , rapped )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Rap is a type of music in which the words are not sung but are spoken in a rapid, rhythmic way. □ …a rap group.

2 VERB Someone who raps performs rap music. □ [V ] …the unexpected pleasure of hearing the band not only rap but even sing.

3 N‑COUNT A rap is a piece of music performed in rap style, or the words that are used in it. □ Every member contributes to the rap, singing either solo or as part of a rap chorus.

4 VERB If you rap on something or rap it, you hit it with a series of quick blows. □ [V + on ] Mary Ann turned and rapped on Simon's door. □ [V n] …rapping the glass with the knuckles of his right hand. □ [V n + on ] A guard raps his stick on a metal hand rail. ● N‑COUNT Rap is also a noun. □ [+ on ] There was a sharp rap on the door.

5 N‑COUNT A rap is a statement in a court of law that someone has committed a particular crime, or the punishment for committing it. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ You'll be facing a rap for aiding and abetting an escaped convict.

6 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A rap is an act of criticizing or blaming someone. [JOURNALISM ] □ FA chiefs could still face a rap and a possible fine.

7 VERB If you rap someone for something, you criticize or blame them for it. [JOURNALISM ] □ [be V -ed + for/over ] Water industry chiefs were rapped yesterday for failing their customers.

8 N‑SING The rap about someone or something is their reputation, often a bad reputation which they do not deserve. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ [+ on ] The rap on this guy is that he doesn't really care.

9 PHRASE If someone in authority raps your knuckles or raps you on the knuckles , they criticize you or blame you for doing something they think is wrong. [JOURNALISM ] □ I joined the workers on strike and was rapped over the knuckles.

10 PHRASE If someone in authority gives you a rap on the knuckles , they criticize you or blame you for doing something they think is wrong. [JOURNALISM ] □ The remark earned him a rap on the knuckles.

11 PHRASE If you take the rap , you are blamed or punished for something, especially something that is not your fault or for which other people are equally guilty. [INFORMAL ] □ When the money went missing, she took the rap, but did she really do it?

ra|pa|cious /rəpe I ʃəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a person or their behaviour as rapacious , you disapprove of their greedy or selfish behaviour. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a rapacious exploitation policy.

ra|pac|ity /rəpæ s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] Rapacity is very greedy or selfish behaviour. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Overcrowded cities were the product of a system based on selfishness and rapacity.

rape ◆◇◇ /re I p/ (rapes , raping , raped )

1 VERB If someone is raped , they are forced to have sex, usually by violence or threats of violence. □ [be V -ed] A young woman was brutally raped in her own home. □ [V n] They'd held him down and raped him.

2 N‑VAR Rape is the crime of forcing someone to have sex. □ Almost ninety per cent of all rapes and violent assaults went unreported.

3 N‑SING The rape of an area or of a country is the destruction or spoiling of it. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] As a result of the rape of the forests, parts of the country are now short of water.

4 Rape is a plant with yellow flowers which is grown as a crop. Its seeds are crushed to make cooking oil. [AM ] in BRIT, use oilseed rape 5 → see also date rape , gang rape , oilseed rape

rap|id ◆◆◇ /ræ p I d/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A rapid change is one that happens very quickly. □ …the country's rapid economic growth in the 1980s. □ …the rapid decline in the birth rate. ● rap|id|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ …countries with rapidly growing populations. ● ra|pid|ity /rəp I d I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …the rapidity with which the weather can change.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A rapid movement is one that is very fast. □ He walked at a rapid pace along Charles Street. □ …the St John Ambulance Air Wing, formed to provide for the rapid transport of patients in urgent need of specialist attention. ● rap|id|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He was moving rapidly around the room. ● ra|pid|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ The water rushed through the holes with great rapidity.

ra pid-fi re

1 ADJ [ADJ n] A rapid-fire gun is one that shoots a lot of bullets very quickly, one after the other. □ In the back of the truck was a 12.7 millimeter rapid-fire machine gun.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] A rapid-fire conversation or speech is one in which people talk or reply very quickly. □ Yul listened to their sophisticated, rapid-fire conversation.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] A rapid-fire economic activity or development is one that takes place very quickly. [mainly AM , JOURNALISM ] □ …the rapid-fire buying and selling of stocks.

rap|ids /ræ p I dz/ N‑PLURAL Rapids are a section of a river where the water moves very fast, often over rocks. □ His canoe was there, on the river below the rapids.

ra p|id tra ns|it ADJ [ADJ n] A rapid transit system is a transport system in a city which allows people to travel quickly, using trains that run underground or above the streets. □ …a rapid transit link with the City and London's underground system.

ra|pi|er /re I pie ^r / (rapiers )

1 N‑COUNT A rapier is a very thin sword with a long sharp point.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you say that someone has a rapier wit, you mean that they are very intelligent and quick at making clever comments or jokes in a conversation. □ The journalist is famous for her precocity and rapier wit.

rap|ist /re I p I st/ (rapists ) N‑COUNT A rapist is a man who has raped someone. □ The convicted murderer and rapist is scheduled to be executed next Friday.

rap|pel /ræpe l/ (rappels , rappelling , rappelled ) VERB To rappel down a cliff or rock face means to slide down it in a controlled way using a rope, with your feet against the cliff or rock. [AM ] □ [V prep] They learned to rappel down a cliff. in BRIT, use abseil

rap|per /ræ pə ^r / (rappers ) N‑COUNT A rapper is a person who performs rap music. □ …rappers like MC Hammer.

rap|port /ræpɔː ^r / N‑SING If two people or groups have a rapport , they have a good relationship in which they are able to understand each other's ideas or feelings very well. □ [+ with ] He said he wanted 'to establish a rapport with the Indian people'. □ [+ between ] The success depends on good rapport between interviewer and interviewee.

rap|por|teur /ræ pɔː ^r tɜː ^r / (rapporteurs ) N‑COUNT A rapporteur is a person who is officially appointed by an organization to investigate a problem or attend a meeting and to report on it. [FORMAL ] □ …the United Nations special rapporteur on torture.

rap|proche|ment /ræprɒ ʃmɒn, [AM ] -proʊ ʃ-/ N‑SING A rapprochement is an increase in friendliness between two countries, groups, or people, especially after a period of unfriendliness. [FORMAL ] □ [+ with ] Cuba released 53 dissidents after its historic rapprochement with America. □ [+ between ] …the process of political rapprochement between the two former foes.

rapt /ræ pt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone watches or listens with rapt attention, they are extremely interested or fascinated. [LITERARY ] □ I noticed that everyone was watching me with rapt attention. ● rapt|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ …listening raptly to stories about fascinating people.

rap|tor /ræ ptə ^r / (raptors ) N‑COUNT Raptors are birds of prey, such as eagles and hawks. [TECHNICAL ]

rap|ture /ræ ptʃə ^r / N‑UNCOUNT Rapture is a feeling of extreme happiness or pleasure. [LITERARY ] □ The film was shown to gasps of rapture at the Democratic Convention.

rap|tures /ræ ptʃə ^r z/ PHRASE If you are in raptures or go into raptures about something, you are extremely impressed by it and enthusiastic about it. [mainly BRIT , WRITTEN ] □ They will be in raptures over the French countryside.

rap|tur|ous /ræ ptʃərəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A rapturous feeling or reaction is one of extreme happiness or enthusiasm. [JOURNALISM ] □ The students gave him a rapturous welcome.

rare ◆◇◇ /reə ^r / (rarer , rarest )

1 ADJ Something that is rare is not common and is therefore interesting or valuable. □ …the black-necked crane, one of the rarest species in the world. □ She collects rare plants.

2 ADJ An event or situation that is rare does not occur very often. □ …on those rare occasions when he did eat alone. □ Heart attacks were extremely rare in babies, he said.

3 ADJ [ADJ n] You use rare to emphasize an extremely good or remarkable quality. [EMPHASIS ] □ Ferris has a rare ability to record her observations on paper.

4 ADJ Meat that is rare is cooked very lightly so that the inside is still red. □ Thick tuna steaks are eaten rare, like beef. SYNONYMS rare ADJ 1

unusual: To be appreciated as a parent is quite unusual.

uncommon: A 15-year lifespan is not uncommon for a dog.

exceptional: …if the courts hold that this case is exceptional.

rar|efied /reə r I fa I d/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you talk about the rarefied atmosphere of a place or institution, you are expressing your disapproval of it, because it has a special social or academic status that makes it very different from ordinary life. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the rarefied atmosphere of the property market in Belgravia, Chelsea and Mayfair.

2 ADJ Rarefied air is air that does not contain much oxygen, for example in mountain areas. □ …living at very high altitudes where the atmosphere is rarefied.

rare|ly ◆◇◇ /reə ^r li/ ADV [ADV before v] If something rarely happens, it does not happen very often. □ June and her daughters laughed a lot and rarely fought. □ Money was plentiful, and rarely did anyone seem very bothered about levels of expenditure. SYNONYMS rarely ADV

seldom: They seldom speak.

hardly: Hardly a day goes by without a visit from someone.

infrequently: The bridge is used infrequently.

rar|ing /reə r I ŋ/

1 PHRASE If you say that you are raring to go , you mean that you are very eager to start doing something. □ After a good night's sleep, Paul said he was raring to go.

2 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf] If you are raring to do something or are raring for it, you are very eager to do it or very eager that it should happen. □ He is raring to charge into the fray and lay down the law. □ Baker suggested the administration wasn't raring for a fight.

rar|ity /reə r I ti/ (rarities )

1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If someone or something is a rarity , they are interesting or valuable because they are so unusual. [JOURNALISM ] □ Sontag has always been that rarity, a glamorous intellectual.

2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] The rarity of something is the fact that it is very uncommon. □ It was a real prize due to its rarity and good condition.

ras|cal /rɑː sk ^ə l, ræ s-/ (rascals ) N‑COUNT If you call a man or child a rascal , you mean that they behave badly and are rude or dishonest. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ What's that old rascal been telling you?

ras|cal|ly /rɑː skəli, ræ s-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as a rascally person, you mean that they behave badly and are wicked or dishonest. [LITERARY ] □ They stumble across a ghost town inhabited by a rascally gold prospector.

rash /ræ ʃ/ (rashes )

1 ADJ If someone is rash or does rash things, they act without thinking carefully first, and therefore make mistakes or behave foolishly. □ It would be rash to rely on such evidence. □ The Prime Minister is making no rash promises. ● rash|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ I made quite a lot of money, but I rashly gave most of it away. ● rash|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ With characteristic rashness and valor, he plunged into the icy water.

2 N‑COUNT A rash is an area of red spots that appears on your skin when you are ill or have a bad reaction to something that you have eaten or touched. □ He may break out in a rash when he eats these nuts.

3 N‑SING If you talk about a rash of events or things, you mean a large number of unpleasant events or undesirable things, which have happened or appeared within a short period of time. □ [+ of ] …one of the few major airlines left untouched by the industry's rash of takeovers.

rash|er /ræ ʃə ^r / (rashers ) N‑COUNT A rasher of bacon is a slice of bacon. [BRIT ] in AM, use slice

rasp /rɑː sp, ræ sp/ (rasps , rasping , rasped )

1 VERB If someone rasps , their voice or breathing is harsh and unpleasant to listen to. □ [V with quote] 'Where've you put it?' he rasped. □ [V ] He fell back into the water, his breath rasping in his heaving chest. ● N‑SING Rasp is also a noun. □ [+ of ] He was still laughing when he heard the rasp of Rennie's voice.

2 VERB If something rasps or if you rasp it, it makes a harsh, unpleasant sound as it rubs against something hard or rough. □ [V prep] Sabres rasped from scabbards and the horsemen spurred forward. □ [V n prep] Foden rasped a hand across his chin. ● N‑SING Rasp is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the rasp of something being drawn across the sand.

rasp|berry /rɑː zbri, [AM ] ræ zberi/ (raspberries ) N‑COUNT Raspberries are small, soft, red fruit that grow on bushes.

raspy /rɑː spi, ræ s-/ ADJ If someone has a raspy voice, they make rough sounds as if they have a sore throat or have difficulty in breathing. [LITERARY ] □ Both men sang in a deep, raspy tone.

Ras|ta /ræ stə/ (Rastas )

1 N‑COUNT A Rasta is the same as a Rastafarian . [INFORMAL ] □ Ethiopia is Zion - the Rastas' promised land.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Rasta means the same as Rastafarian . [INFORMAL ] □ He comes from Camden but was brought up in Rasta culture by his Jamaican father.

Ras|ta|far|ian /ræ stəfeə riən/ (Rastafarians )

1 N‑COUNT A Rastafarian is a member of a Jamaican religious group which considers Haile Selassie, the former Emperor of Ethiopia, to be God. Rastafarians often have long hair which they wear in a hairstyle called dreadlocks. □ He was one of the few thousand committed Rastafarians in South Africa.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Rastafarian is used to describe Rastafarians and their beliefs and lifestyle. □ …Rastafarian poet Benjamin Zephaniah.

rat /ræ t/ (rats , ratting , ratted )

1 N‑COUNT A rat is an animal which has a long tail and looks like a large mouse. □ This was demonstrated in a laboratory experiment with rats.

2 N‑COUNT If you call someone a rat , you mean that you are angry with them or dislike them, often because they have cheated you or betrayed you. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ What did you do with the gun you took from that little rat Turner?

3 VERB If someone rats on you, they tell someone in authority about things that you have done, especially bad things. [INFORMAL ] □ [V + on ] They were accused of encouraging children to rat on their parents.

4 VERB If someone rats on an agreement, they do not do what they said they would do. [INFORMAL ] □ [V + on ] She claims he ratted on their deal.

5 PHRASE If you smell a rat , you begin to suspect or realize that something is wrong in a particular situation, for example that someone is trying to deceive you or harm you. □ If I don't send a picture, he will smell a rat.

ra|ta /rɑː tə/ → see pro rata

ra t-a-tat N‑SING ; N‑COUNT You use rat-a-tat to represent a series of sharp, repeated sounds, for example the sound of someone knocking at a door. □ …the rat-a-tat at the door.

ra|ta|touille /ræ tətuː i/ N‑UNCOUNT Ratatouille is a cooked dish made with vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, aubergines, courgettes, and peppers.

rat|bag /ræ tbæg/ (ratbags ) N‑COUNT If you call someone a ratbag , you are insulting them. [BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Lying ratbags, that's what they are.

ratch|et /ræ tʃ I t/ (ratchets , ratcheting , ratcheted )

1 N‑COUNT In a tool or machine, a ratchet is a wheel or bar with sloping teeth, which can move only in one direction, because a piece of metal stops the teeth from moving backwards. □ The chair has a ratchet below it to adjust the height.

2 VERB If a tool or machine ratchets or if you ratchet it, it makes a clicking noise as it operates, because it has a ratchet in it. □ [V ] The rod bent double, the reel shrieked and ratcheted. □ [V n] She took up a sheet and ratcheted it into the typewriter.

3 N‑SING If you describe a situation as a ratchet , you mean that it is bad and can only become worse. [mainly BRIT ] □ …another raising of the ratchet of violence in the conflict.

▸ ratchet down PHRASAL VERB If something ratchets down or is ratcheted down , it decreases by a fixed amount or degree, and seems unlikely to increase again. [mainly JOURNALISM ] □ [V P n] We're trying to ratchet down the administrative costs. [Also V n P ]

▸ ratchet up PHRASAL VERB If something ratchets up or is ratcheted up , it increases by a fixed amount or degree, and seems unlikely to decrease again. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V P n] …an attempt to ratchet up the pressure. □ [V P ] He fears inflation will ratchet up as the year ends.

rate ◆◆◆ /re I t/ (rates , rating , rated )

1 N‑COUNT The rate at which something happens is the speed with which it happens. □ The rate at which hair grows can be agonisingly slow. □ The world's tropical forests are disappearing at an even faster rate than experts had thought.

2 N‑COUNT The rate at which something happens is the number of times it happens over a period of time or in a particular group. □ [+ of ] New diet books appear at a rate of nearly one a week. □ His heart rate was 30 beats per minute slower.

3 N‑COUNT A rate is the amount of money that is charged for goods or services. □ Calls cost 36p per minute cheap rate and 48p at all other times. □ …specially reduced rates for travellers using Gatwick Airport.

4 → see also exchange rate

5 N‑COUNT The rate of taxation or interest is the amount of tax or interest that needs to be paid. It is expressed as a percentage of the amount that is earned, gained as profit, or borrowed. [BUSINESS ] □ The government insisted that it would not be panicked into interest rate cuts.

6 VERB [no cont] If you rate someone or something as good or bad, you consider them to be good or bad. You can also say that someone or something rates as good or bad. □ [V n adj] Of all the men in the survey, they rate themselves the most responsible. □ [V n n] Most rated it a hit. □ [V n + as ] We rate him as one of the best. □ [V n adv] She rated the course highly. □ [V adv prep] Reading books does not rate highly among Britons as a leisure activity. □ [V -ed] …the most highly rated player in English football.

7 VERB If you rate someone or something, you think that they are good. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ [V n] It's flattering to know that other clubs have shown interest and seem to rate me.

8 V-PASSIVE [no cont] If someone or something is rated at a particular position or rank, they are calculated or considered to be in that position on a list. □ [be V -ed n] He is generally rated Italy's No. 3 industrialist. □ [be V -ed ord] He came here rated 100th on the tennis computer.

9 VERB [no cont] If you say that someone or something rates a particular reaction, you mean that this is the reaction you consider to be appropriate. □ [V n] Their national golf championship barely rated a mention.

10 → see also rating

11 PHRASE You use at any rate to indicate that what you have just said might be incorrect or unclear in some way, and that you are now being more precise. □ She modestly suggests that 'sex, or at any rate gender, may account for the difference'.

12 PHRASE You use at any rate to indicate that the important thing is what you are saying now, and not what was said before. □ Well, at any rate, let me thank you for all you did.

13 PHRASE If you say that at this rate something bad or extreme will happen, you mean that it will happen if things continue to develop as they have been doing. □ At this rate they'd be lucky to get home before eight-thirty or nine. SYNONYMS rate NOUN 1

speed: In the late 1850s the speed of technological change quickened.

pace: Many people were not satisfied with the pace of change.

tempo: …the slow tempo of change in an overwhelmingly rural country.

rate|able value /re I təb ^ə l væ ljuː/ (rateable values ) N‑COUNT In Britain, the rateable value of a building was a value based on its size and facilities, which was used in calculating local taxes called rates.

ra te-cap (rate-caps , rate-capping , rate-capped )

1 VERB [usu passive] In Britain, when a local council was rate-capped , the government prevented it from increasing local taxes called rates, in order to force the council to reduce its spending or make it more efficient. □ [be V -ed] Notts County Council is to cut 200 jobs in a bid to escape being rate-capped. ● rate-capping N‑UNCOUNT □ The project is seriously threatened by rate-capping.

2 N‑COUNT A rate cap is a limit placed by the government on the amount of interest that banks or credit card companies can charge their customers. [AM ]

ra te of ex|cha nge (rates of exchange ) N‑COUNT A rate of exchange is the same as an exchange rate . □ …four thousand dinars–about four hundred dollars at the official rate of exchange.

ra te of re|tu rn (rates of return ) N‑COUNT The rate of return on an investment is the amount of profit it makes, often shown as a percentage of the original investment. [BUSINESS ] □ High rates of return can be earned on these investments.

rate|payer /re I tpe I ə ^r / (ratepayers )

1 N‑COUNT In Britain, a ratepayer was a person who owned or rented property and therefore had to pay local taxes called rates. The citizens of a district are sometimes still called the ratepayers when their interests and the use of local taxes are being considered.

2 N‑COUNT In the United States, a ratepayer is a person whose property is served by an electricity, water, or phone company, and who pays for these services.

ra|ther ◆◆◆ /rɑː ðə ^r , ræ ð-/

1 PHRASE You use rather than when you are contrasting two things or situations. Rather than introduces the thing or situation that is not true or that you do not want. □ The problem was psychological rather than physiological. □ When I'm going out in the evening I use the bike if I can rather than the car. ● CONJ Rather is also a conjunction. □ She made students think for themselves, rather than telling them what to think.

2 ADV You use rather when you are correcting something that you have just said, especially when you are describing a particular situation after saying what it is not. □ He explained what the Crux is, or rather, what it was.

3 PHRASE If you say that you would rather do something or you 'd rather do it, you mean that you would prefer to do it. If you say that you would rather not do something, you mean that you do not want to do it. □ If it's all the same to you, I'd rather work at home. □ Kids would rather play than study. □ I would rather Lionel took it on. □ Sorry. I'd rather not talk about it. □ [MODAL not ] Would you like that? Don't hesitate to say no if you'd rather not.

4 ADV [ADV adj/adv] You use rather to indicate that something is true to a fairly great extent, especially when you are talking about something unpleasant or undesirable. □ I grew up in rather unusual circumstances. □ The first speaker began to talk, very fast and rather loudly. □ I'm afraid it's rather a long story. □ The reality is rather more complex. □ The fruit is rather like a sweet chestnut.

5 ADV [ADV before v] You use rather before verbs that introduce your thoughts and feelings, in order to express your opinion politely, especially when a different opinion has been expressed. [POLITENESS ] □ I rather think he was telling the truth.

rati|fi|ca|tion /ræ t I f I ke I ʃ ^ə n/ (ratifications ) N‑VAR [usu sing] The ratification of a treaty or written agreement is the process of ratifying it. □ [+ of ] The E.U. will now complete ratification of the treaty by June 1.

rati|fy /ræ t I fa I / (ratifies , ratifying , ratified ) VERB When national leaders or organizations ratify a treaty or written agreement, they make it official by giving their formal approval to it, usually by signing it or voting for it. □ [V n] The parliaments of Australia and Indonesia have yet to ratify the treaty.

rat|ing ◆◇◇ /re I t I ŋ/ (ratings )

1 N‑COUNT A rating of something is a score or measurement of how good or popular it is. □ …a value-for-money rating of ten out of ten.

2 → see also credit rating

3 N‑PLURAL The ratings are the statistics published each week which show how popular each television programme is. □ CBS's ratings again showed huge improvement over the previous year. COLLOCATIONS rating NOUN

1

noun + rating : approval, popularity, satisfaction; player, poll, safety, star

adjective + rating : average, high, low, top; overall

verb + rating : achieve, earn, receive; give

3

noun + rating : audience, TV

adjective + rating : dismal, poor; good, solid

verb + rating : boost

ra|tio /re I ʃioʊ, [AM ] -ʃoʊ/ (ratios ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A ratio is a relationship between two things when it is expressed in numbers or amounts. For example, if there are ten boys and thirty girls in a room, the ratio of boys to girls is 1:3, or one to three. □ The adult to child ratio is 1 to 6.

ra|tion /ræ ʃ ^ə n/ (rations , rationing , rationed )

1 N‑COUNT When there is not enough of something, your ration of it is the amount that you are allowed to have. □ The meat ration was down to one pound per person per week.

2 VERB When something is rationed by a person or government, you are only allowed to have a limited amount of it, usually because there is not enough of it. □ [be V -ed] Staples such as bread, rice and tea are already being rationed. □ [V n] …the decision to ration food. □ [be V -ed + to ] Motorists will be rationed to thirty litres of petrol a month. [Also V n + to ]

3 N‑PLURAL Rations are the food which is given to people who do not have enough food or to soldiers. □ The first emergency food rations were handed out here last month.

4 N‑COUNT Your ration of something is the amount of it that you normally have. □ [+ of ] I'm wondering if it's too early to eat my ration of dark chocolate.

5 → see also rationing

ra|tion|al /ræ ʃənəl/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Rational decisions and thoughts are based on reason rather than on emotion. □ He's asking you to look at both sides of the case and come to a rational decision. ● ra|tion|al|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ It can be very hard to think rationally when you're feeling so vulnerable and alone. ● ra|tion|al|ity /ræʃənæ l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ We live in an era of rationality.

2 ADJ A rational person is someone who is sensible and is able to make decisions based on intelligent thinking rather than on emotion. □ Did he come across as a sane rational person?

ra|tion|ale /ræ ʃənɑː l, -næ l/ (rationales ) N‑COUNT The rationale for a course of action, practice, or belief is the set of reasons on which it is based. [FORMAL ] □ [+ for ] However, the rationale for such initiatives is not, of course, solely economic.

ra|tion|al|ism /ræ ʃənəl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Rationalism is the belief that your life should be based on reason and logic, rather than emotions or religious beliefs. □ Coleridge was to spend the next thirty years attacking rationalism.

ra|tion|al|ist /ræ ʃənəl I st/ (rationalists )

1 ADJ If you describe someone as rationalist , you mean that their beliefs are based on reason and logic rather than emotion or religion. □ White was both visionary and rationalist.

2 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a rationalist , you mean that they base their life on rationalist beliefs.

3 → see also rationalism

ra|tion|al|ize /ræ ʃənəla I z/ (rationalizes , rationalizing , rationalized ) in BRIT, also use rationalise 1 VERB If you try to rationalize attitudes or actions that are difficult to accept, you think of reasons to justify or explain them. □ [V n] He rationalized his activity by convincing himself that he was promoting peace.

2 VERB [usu passive] When a company, system, or industry is rationalized , it is made more efficient, usually by getting rid of staff and equipment that are not essential. [mainly BRIT , BUSINESS ] □ [be V -ed] The network of 366 local offices is being rationalised to leave the company with 150 larger branch offices. ● ra|tion|ali|za|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the rationalization of the textile industry.

ra|tion|ing /ræ ʃən I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Rationing is the system of limiting the amount of food, water, petrol, or other necessary substances that each person is allowed to have or buy when there is not enough of them. □ The municipal authorities here are preparing for food rationing.

ra t pack N‑SING People sometimes refer to the group of journalists and photographers who follow famous people around as the rat pack , especially when they think that their behaviour is unacceptable. [BRIT , DISAPPROVAL ]

ra t race N‑SING If you talk about getting out of the rat race , you mean leaving a job or way of life in which people compete aggressively with each other to be successful. □ I had to get out of the rat race and take a look at the real world again.

ra t run (rat runs ) N‑COUNT A rat run is a small street which drivers use during busy times in order to avoid heavy traffic on the main roads. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]

rat|tan /rætæ n/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Rattan furniture is made from the woven strips of stems of a plant which grows in South East Asia. □ …a light airy room set with cloth-covered tables and rattan chairs.

rat|tle /ræ t ^ə l/ (rattles , rattling , rattled )

1 VERB When something rattles or when you rattle it, it makes short sharp knocking sounds because it is being shaken or it keeps hitting against something hard. □ [V ] She slams the kitchen door so hard I hear dishes rattle. □ [V n] He gently rattled the cage and whispered to the canary. ● N‑COUNT Rattle is also a noun. □ [+ of ] There was a rattle of rifle-fire. ● rat|tling N‑SING □ At that moment, there was a rattling at the door.

2 N‑COUNT A rattle is a baby's toy with loose bits inside which make a noise when the baby shakes it.

3 N‑COUNT A rattle is a wooden instrument that people shake to make a loud knocking noise at football matches or tribal ceremonies.

4 VERB If something or someone rattles you, they make you nervous. □ [be V -ed + by ] She refused to be rattled by his £3,000-a-day lawyer. ● rat|tled ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] □ He swore in Spanish, another indication that he was rattled.

5 VERB You can say that a bus, train, or car rattles somewhere when it moves noisily from one place to another. □ [V prep/adv] The bus from Odense rattled into a dusty village called Pozo Almonte.

▸ rattle around PHRASAL VERB If you say that someone rattles around in a room or other space, you mean that the space is too large for them. □ [V P + in ] We don't want to move, but we're rattling around in our large house. [Also V P n]

▸ rattle off PHRASAL VERB If you rattle off something, you say it or do it very quickly and without much effort. □ [V P n] I started writing a blog on the season and, within two days, I had rattled off 10,000 words. [Also V n P ]

▸ rattle through PHRASAL VERB If you rattle through something, you deal with it quickly in order to finish it. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P n] She rattled through a translation from Virgil's Aeneid.

rat|tler /ræ tlə ^r / (rattlers ) N‑COUNT A rattler is the same as a rattlesnake . [AM , INFORMAL ]

rattle|snake /ræ t ^ə lsne I k/ (rattlesnakes ) N‑COUNT A rattlesnake is a poisonous American snake which can make a rattling noise with its tail.

rat|ty /ræ ti/ (rattier , rattiest )

1 ADJ If someone is ratty , they get angry and irritated easily. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ I had spent too many hours there and was beginning to get a bit ratty and fed up.

2 ADJ Ratty clothes and objects are torn or in bad condition, especially because they are old. [AM ] □ …my ratty old flannel pyjamas.

rau|cous /rɔː kəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A raucous sound is loud, harsh, and rather unpleasant. □ They heard a bottle being smashed, then more raucous laughter. ● rau|cous|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ They laughed together raucously.

raun|chy /rɔː ntʃi/ (raunchier , raunchiest ) ADJ If a film, a person, or the way that someone is dressed is raunchy , they are sexually exciting. [INFORMAL ] □ …her raunchy new movie.

rav|age /ræ v I dʒ/ (ravages , ravaging , ravaged ) VERB [usu passive] A town, country, or economy that has been ravaged is one that has been damaged so much that it is almost completely destroyed. □ [be V -ed] For two decades the country has been ravaged by civil war and foreign intervention. □ [V -ed] …Nicaragua's ravaged economy.

rav|ages /ræ v I dʒiz/ N‑PLURAL The ravages of time, war, or the weather are the damaging effects that they have. □ [+ of ] …a hi-tech grass pitch that can survive the ravages of a cold, wet climate.

rave /re I v/ (raves , raving , raved )

1 VERB If someone raves , they talk in an excited and uncontrolled way. □ [V ] She cried and raved for weeks, and people did not know what to do. □ [V with quote] 'What is wrong with you, acting like that,' she raved, pacing up and down frantically.

2 VERB If you rave about something, you speak or write about it with great enthusiasm. □ [V + about ] Rachel raved about the new foods she ate while she was there. □ [V with quote] 'Such lovely clothes. I'd no idea Milan was so wonderful,' she raved.

3 N‑COUNT A rave is a big event at which young people dance to electronic music in a large building or in the open air. Raves are often associated with illegal drugs. [BRIT ] □ …an all-night rave at Castle Donington. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Rave is also an adjective. □ Old faces and new talents are making it big on the rave scene.

4 → see also raving

5 to rant and rave → see rant

ra|ven /re I v ^ə n/ (ravens ) N‑COUNT A raven is a large bird with shiny black feathers and a deep harsh call.

rav|en|ous /ræ vənəs/ ADJ If you are ravenous , you are extremely hungry. □ She realized that she had eaten nothing since leaving home, and she was ravenous. ● rav|en|ous|ly ADV □ She began to eat ravenously.

rav|er /re I və ^r / (ravers ) N‑COUNT A raver is a young person who has a busy social life and goes to a lot of parties, raves, or nightclubs. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]

ra ve re|vie w (rave reviews ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] When journalists write rave reviews , they praise something such as a play or book in a very enthusiastic way. □ The play received rave reviews from the critics.

ra|vine /rəviː n/ (ravines ) N‑COUNT A ravine is a very deep narrow valley with steep sides. □ The bus is said to have overturned and fallen into a ravine.

rav|ing /re I v I ŋ/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use raving to describe someone who you think is completely mad. [INFORMAL ] □ Malcolm looked at her as if she were a raving lunatic. ● ADV [ADV adj] Raving is also an adverb. □ I'm afraid Jean-Paul has gone raving mad.

2 → see also rave

rav|ings /re I v I ŋz/ N‑PLURAL If you describe what someone says or writes as their ravings , you mean that it makes no sense because they are mad or very ill. □ Haig and Robertson saw it as the lunatic ravings of a mad politician.

ra|vio|li /ræ vioʊ li/ (raviolis ) N‑VAR Ravioli is a type of pasta that is shaped into small squares, filled with minced meat or cheese and served in a sauce.

rav|ish /ræ v I ʃ/ (ravishes , ravishing , ravished ) VERB [usu passive] If a woman is ravished by a man, she is raped by him. [LITERARY ] □ [be V -ed] She'll never know how close she came to being dragged off and ravished.

rav|ish|ing /ræ v I ʃ I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe someone or something as ravishing , you mean that they are very beautiful. [LITERARY ] □ She looked ravishing.

raw ◆◇◇ /rɔː / (rawer , rawest )

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Raw materials or substances are in their natural state before being processed or used in manufacturing. □ We import raw materials and energy and export mainly industrial products. □ …two ships carrying raw sugar from Cuba.

2 ADJ Raw food is food that is eaten uncooked, that has not yet been cooked, or that has not been cooked enough. □ …a popular dish made of raw fish. □ This versatile vegetable can be eaten raw or cooked.

3 ADJ If a part of your body is raw , it is red and painful, perhaps because the skin has come off or has been burnt. □ …the drag of the rope against the raw flesh of my shoulders.

4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Raw emotions are strong basic feelings or responses which are not weakened by other influences. □ Her grief was still raw and he did not know how to help her.

5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as raw , you mean that it is simple, powerful, and real. □ …the raw power of instinct.

6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Raw data is facts or information that has not yet been sorted, analysed, or prepared for use. □ Analyses were conducted on the raw data.

7 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone in a new job as raw , or as a raw recruit, you mean that they lack experience in that job. □ …replacing experienced men with raw recruits.

8 ADJ Raw weather feels unpleasantly cold. □ …a raw December morning.

9 ADJ [ADJ n] Raw sewage is sewage that has not been treated to make it cleaner. □ …contamination of bathing water by raw sewage.

10 PHRASE If you say that you are getting a raw deal , you mean that you are being treated unfairly. [INFORMAL ] □ I think women have a raw deal.

11 touch a raw nerve → see nerve SYNONYMS raw ADJ 1

unrefined: Unrefined carbohydrates include brown rice and other grains.

natural: We only use natural ingredients.

crude: …8.5 million tonnes of crude steel.

unprocessed: Try to eat more unprocessed foods.

raw|hide /rɔː ha I d/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Rawhide is leather that comes from cattle, and has not been treated or tanned. [AM ] □ At his belt he carried a rawhide whip.

ray ◆◇◇ /re I / (rays )

1 N‑COUNT Rays of light are narrow beams of light. □ [+ of ] …the first rays of light spread over the horizon. □ The sun's rays can penetrate water up to 10 feet.

2 → see also cosmic rays , gamma rays , X-ray

3 N‑COUNT A ray of hope, comfort, or other positive quality is a small amount of it that you welcome because it makes a bad situation seem less bad. □ [+ of ] They could provide a ray of hope amid the general business and economic gloom.

ray|on /re I ɒn/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Rayon is a smooth artificial fabric that is made from cellulose. □ …the old woman's rayon dress.

raze /re I z/ (razes , razing , razed ) VERB [usu passive] If buildings, villages or towns are razed or razed to the ground, they are completely destroyed. □ [be V -ed] Dozens of villages have been razed. □ [be V -ed + to ] Towns such as Mittelwihr and Bennwihr were virtually razed to the ground.

ra|zor /re I zə ^r / (razors ) N‑COUNT A razor is a tool that people use for shaving.

ra |zor blade (razor blades ) N‑COUNT A razor blade is a small flat piece of metal with a very sharp edge which is put into a razor and used for shaving.

ra zor-sha rp

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A cutting tool that is razor-sharp is extremely sharp. □ …a razor sharp butcher's knife.

2 ADJ If you describe someone or someone's mind as razor-sharp , you mean that they have a very accurate and clear understanding of things. □ …his razor-sharp intelligence.

ra |zor wire N‑UNCOUNT Razor wire is strong wire with sharp blades sticking out of it. In wars or civil conflict it is sometimes used to prevent people from entering or leaving buildings or areas of land. □ …plans to use razor wire to seal off hostels for migrant workers.

razz /ræ z/ (razzes , razzing , razzed ) VERB To razz someone means to tease them, especially in an unkind way. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Molly razzed me about my rotten sense of direction.

razz|a|ma|tazz /ræ zəmətæ z/ N‑UNCOUNT Razzamatazz is the same as razzmatazz . [mainly BRIT ]

razzle-dazzle /ræ z ^ə l dæ z ^ə l/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Razzle-dazzle is the same as razzmatazz . □ …a razzle-dazzle marketing man.

razz|ma|tazz /ræ zmətæ z/ N‑UNCOUNT Razzmatazz is a noisy and showy display. □ …the colour and razzmatazz of a U.S. election.

RC /ɑː ^r siː / also R.C. ADJ RC is an abbreviation for Roman Catholic . □ …St Mary's RC Cathedral.

Rd also Rd. Rd is a written abbreviation for road . It is used especially in addresses and on maps or signs. □ St Pancras Library, 100 Euston Rd, London, NW1.

-rd -rd is added to numbers that end in 3, except those ending in 13, in order to form ordinal numbers such as 3rd or 33rd. 3rd is pronounced 'third'. □ …September 3rd 1990. □ …the 33rd Boston Marathon. □ …Canada's 123rd birthday.

RDA /ɑː ^r diː e I / (RDAs ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The RDA of a particular vitamin or mineral is the amount that people need each day to stay healthy. RDA is an abbreviation for 'recommended daily amount'.

re /riː / You use re in business letters, faxes, or other documents to introduce a subject or item which you are going to discuss or refer to in detail. □ Dear Mrs Cox, Re: Household Insurance. We note from our files that we have not yet received your renewal instructions.

PREFIX re-

forms verbs and nouns that refer to an action or process being repeated. For example, if you re-read something, you read it again.

R.E. /ɑː r iː / N‑UNCOUNT R.E. is a school subject in which children learn about religion and other social matters. R.E. is an abbreviation for 'religious education'. [BRIT ]

-'re /ə ^r / -'re is the usual spoken form of 'are'. It is added to the end of the pronoun or noun which is the subject of the verb. For example, 'they are' can be shortened to 'they're'.

reach ◆◆◆ /riː tʃ/ (reaches , reaching , reached )

1 VERB A leak was found when the train reached Ipswich. □ [V n] He did not stop until he reached the door. □ [V n] He reached Cambridge shortly before three o'clock.

2 VERB If someone or something has reached a certain stage, level, or amount, they are at that stage, level, or amount. □ [V n] The process of political change has reached the stage where it is irreversible. □ [V n] We're told the figure could reach 100,000 next year.

3 VERB If you reach somewhere, you move your arm and hand to take or touch something. □ [V prep/adv] Judy reached into her handbag and handed me a small printed leaflet. □ [V prep/adv] He reached up for an overhanging branch.

4 VERB If you can reach something, you are able to touch it by stretching out your arm or leg. □ [V n] Can you reach your toes with your fingertips?

5 VERB If you try to reach someone, you try to contact them, usually by phone. □ [V n] Has the doctor told you how to reach him or her in emergencies?

6 VERB If something reaches a place, point, or level, it extends as far as that place, point, or level. □ [V + to ] …a nightshirt which reached to his knees. □ [V n] The water level in Lake Taihu has reached record levels.

7 VERB When people reach an agreement or a decision, they succeed in achieving it. □ [V n] A meeting of agriculture ministers in Luxembourg today has so far failed to reach agreement over farm subsidies. □ [V n] They are meeting in Lusaka in an attempt to reach a compromise.

8 N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] Someone's or something's reach is the distance or limit to which they can stretch, extend, or travel. □ Isabelle placed a cup on the table within his reach.

9 N‑UNCOUNT If a place or thing is within reach , it is possible to have it or get to it. If it is out of reach , it is not possible to have it or get to it. □ [+ of ] It is located within reach of many important Norman towns, including Bayeux. □ [+ of ] The price is ten times what it normally is and totally beyond the reach of ordinary people. SYNONYMS reach VERB

1

arrive at: The Princess Royal arrived at Gatwick this morning from Jamaica.

get to: Generally I get to work at 9.30am.

end up: The result was that the box ended up at the bottom of the canal.

2

attain: …attaining a state of calmness and confidence.

amount to: Consumer spending on sports-related items amounted to £9.75 billion.

get to: We haven't got to the stage of a full-scale military conflict.

rise to: Pre-tax profits rose to £1.82m.

reaches /riː tʃiz/

1 N‑PLURAL The upper, middle, or lower reaches of a river are parts of a river. The upper reaches are nearer to the river's source and the lower reaches are nearer to the sea into which it flows. □ [+ of ] This year water levels in the middle and lower reaches of the river are unusually high.

2 N‑PLURAL You can refer to the distant or outer parts of a place or area as the far, farthest, or outer reaches . [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the outer reaches of the solar system.

3 N‑PLURAL You can refer to the higher or lower levels of an organization as its upper or lower reaches . [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the upper reaches of the legal profession.

re|act ◆◇◇ /riæ kt/ (reacts , reacting , reacted )

1 VERB When you react to something that has happened to you, you behave in a particular way because of it. □ [V + to ] They reacted violently to the news. □ [V adv/prep] It's natural to react with disbelief if your child is accused of bullying. [Also V ]

2 VERB If you react against someone's way of behaving, you deliberately behave in a different way because you do not like the way they behave. □ [V + against ] My father never saved and perhaps I reacted against that.

3 VERB If you react to a substance such as a drug, or to something you have touched, you are affected unpleasantly or made ill by it. □ [V + to ] Someone allergic to milk is likely to react to cheese. [Also V ]

4 VERB When one chemical substance reacts with another, or when two chemical substances react , they combine chemically to form another substance. □ [V + with ] Calcium reacts with water. □ [V ] Under normal circumstances, these two gases react readily to produce carbon dioxide and water. SYNONYMS react VERB 1

respond: The army responded with gunfire and tear gas.

answer: He answered her smile with one of his own.

re|ac|tion ◆◆◇ /riæ kʃ ^ə n/ (reactions )

1 N‑VAR Your reaction to something that has happened or something that you have experienced is what you feel, say, or do because of it. □ [+ to ] Reaction to the visit is mixed. □ He was surprised that his answer should have caused such a strong reaction.

2 N‑COUNT A reaction against something is a way of behaving or doing something that is deliberately different from what has been done before. □ [+ against ] All new fashion starts out as a reaction against existing convention.

3 N‑SING If there is a reaction against something, it becomes unpopular. □ [+ against ] Premature moves in this respect might well provoke a reaction against the reform.

4 N‑PLURAL [oft poss N ] Your reactions are your ability to move quickly in response to something, for example when you are in danger. □ The sport requires very fast reactions.

5 N‑UNCOUNT Reaction is the belief that the political or social system of your country should not change. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Thus, he aided reaction and thwarted progress.

6 N‑COUNT A chemical reaction is a process in which two substances combine together chemically to form another substance. □ Ozone is produced by the reaction between oxygen and ultra-violet light.

7 N‑COUNT If you have a reaction to a substance such as a drug, or to something you have touched, you are affected unpleasantly or made ill by it. □ [+ to ] Every year, 5000 people have life-threatening reactions to anaesthetics. SYNONYMS reaction NOUN 1

response: The meeting was called in response to a request from Venezuela.

answer: In answer to speculation that she wouldn't finish the race, she boldly declared her intention of winning it.

re|ac|tion|ary /riæ kʃənri, [AM ] -neri/ (reactionaries ) ADJ A reactionary person or group tries to prevent changes in the political or social system of their country. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …Charlotte Bront‰ë's battle against the forces of reactionary Victorianism. ● N‑COUNT A reactionary is someone with reactionary views. □ Critics viewed him as a reactionary.

re|ac|ti|vate /riæ kt I ve I t/ (reactivates , reactivating , reactivated ) VERB If people reactivate a system or organization, they make it work again after a period in which it has not been working. □ [V n] …a series of economic reforms to reactivate the economy.

re|ac|tive /riæ kt I v/

1 ADJ Something that is reactive is able to react chemically with a lot of different substances. □ Ozone is a highly reactive form of oxygen gas.

2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is reactive , they behave in response to what happens to them, rather than deciding in advance how they want to behave. □ I want our organization to be less reactive and more pro-active.

re|ac|tor /riæ ktə ^r / (reactors ) N‑COUNT A reactor is the same as a nuclear reactor .

read ◆◆◆ (reads , reading ) The form read is pronounced /riː d/ when it is the present tense, and /re d/ when it is the past tense and past participle. 1 VERB When you read something such as a book or article, you look at and understand the words that are written there. □ [V n] Have you read this book? □ [V + about ] I read about it in the paper. □ [V + through ] He read through the pages slowly and carefully. □ [V that] It is nice to read that Dylan Thomas venerated the Welsh language. □ [V ] She spends her days reading and watching television. ● N‑SING Read is also a noun. □ I settled down to have a good read.

2 VERB When you read a piece of writing to someone, you say the words aloud. □ [V n] Jay reads poetry so beautifully. □ [V + to ] I like it when she reads to us. □ [V n n] I sing to the boys or read them a story before tucking them in. [Also V n + to , V ]

3 VERB People who can read have the ability to look at and understand written words. □ [V ] He couldn't read or write. □ [V n] He could read words at 18 months.

4 VERB If you can read music, you have the ability to look at and understand the symbols that are used in written music to represent musical sounds. □ [V n] Later on I learned how to read music.

5 VERB When a computer reads a file or a document, it takes information from a disk or tape. [COMPUTING ] □ [V n] An update has left the program unable to read the files.

6 VERB [no cont] You can use read when saying what is written on something or in something. For example, if a notice reads 'Entrance', the word 'Entrance' is written on it. □ [V with quote] The sign on the bus read 'Private: Not In Service'.

7 VERB If you refer to how a piece of writing reads , you are referring to its style. □ [V prep/adv] The book reads like a ballad.

8 N‑COUNT [adj N ] If you say that a book or magazine is a good read , you mean that it is very enjoyable to read. □ His latest novel is a good read.

9 VERB If something is read in a particular way, it is understood or interpreted in that way. □ [be V -ed + as ] The play is being widely read as an allegory of imperialist conquest. □ [V n adv/prep] South Africans were praying last night that he has read the situation correctly.

10 VERB If you read someone's mind or thoughts, you know exactly what they are thinking without them telling you. □ [V n] As if he could read her thoughts, Benny said, 'You're free to go any time you like.'

11 VERB If you can read someone or you can read their gestures, you can understand what they are thinking or feeling by the way they behave or the things they say. □ [V n] If you have to work in a team you must learn to read people.

12 VERB If someone who is trying to talk to you with a radio transmitter says, 'Do you read me?', they are asking you if you can hear them. □ [V n] We read you loud and clear. Over.

13 VERB When you read a measuring device, you look at it to see what the figure or measurement on it is. □ [V n] It is essential that you are able to read a thermometer.

14 VERB If a measuring device reads a particular amount, it shows that amount. □ [V amount] Cook for 1-1¼ hours for medium, or until the meat thermometer reads 55°C.

15 VERB If you read a subject at university, you study it. [BRIT , FORMAL ] □ [V n] She read French and German at Cambridge University. □ [V + for ] He is now reading for a maths degree at Surrey University. in AM, use major , study

16 PHRASE If you take something as read , you accept it as true or right and therefore feel that it does not need to be discussed or proved. □ We took it as read that he must have been a foreign agent.

17 → see also reading

18 to read between the lines → see line

▸ read into PHRASAL VERB If you read a meaning into something, you think it is there although it may not actually be there. □ [V n P n] The addict often reads disapproval into people's reactions to him even where it does not exist. □ [V n P n] It would be wrong to try to read too much into such a light-hearted production. [Also V P n n]

▸ read out PHRASAL VERB If you read out a piece of writing, you say it aloud. □ [V P n] He's obliged to take his turn at reading out the announcements. □ [V n P ] Shall I read them out?

▸ read up on PHRASAL VERB If you read up on a subject, you read a lot about it so that you become informed about it. □ [V P P n] She spent time in the library, reading up on her new employers. SYNONYMS read VERB 1

scan: She scanned the advertisement pages of the newspapers.

pore over: We spent hours poring over travel brochures.

skim: She skimmed the pages quickly, then read them again more carefully.

glance at/through: I never even glanced at the political page of a daily paper.

read|able /riː dəb ^ə l/

1 ADJ If you say that a book or article is readable , you mean that it is enjoyable and easy to read. □ This is an impeccably researched and very readable book.

2 ADJ A piece of writing that is readable is written or printed clearly and can be read easily. □ My secretary translated my almost illegible writing into a readable script.

read|er ◆◆◇ /riː də ^r / (readers )

1 N‑COUNT The readers of a newspaper, magazine, or book are the people who read it. □ These texts give the reader an insight into the Chinese mind.

2 N‑COUNT A reader is a person who reads, especially one who reads for pleasure. □ Thanks to that job I became an avid reader.

3 N‑COUNT A reader is a book to help children to learn to read, or to help people to learn a foreign language. It contains passages of text, and often exercises to give practice in reading and writing.

read|er|ship /riː də ^r ʃ I p/ (readerships ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The readership of a book, newspaper, or magazine is the number or type of people who read it. □ Its readership has grown to over 15,000 subscribers.

read|ily /re d I li/

1 ADV [ADV with v] If you do something readily , you do it in a way which shows that you are very willing to do it. □ I asked her if she would allow me to interview her, and she readily agreed.

2 ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] You also use readily to say that something can be done or obtained quickly and easily. For example, if you say that something can be readily understood, you mean that people can understand it quickly and easily. □ The components are readily available in hardware shops.

readi|ness /re d I nəs/

1 N‑UNCOUNT If someone is very willing to do something, you can talk about their readiness to do it. □ …their readiness to co-operate with the new U.S. envoy.

2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu in N ] If you do something in readiness for a future event, you do it so that you are prepared for that event. □ [+ for ] Security tightened in the capital in readiness for the president's arrival.

read|ing ◆◇◇ /riː d I ŋ/ (readings )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Reading is the activity of reading books. □ I have always loved reading. □ …young people who find reading and writing difficult.

2 N‑COUNT A reading is an event at which poetry or extracts from books are read to an audience. □ …a poetry reading.

3 N‑COUNT Your reading of a word, text, or situation is the way in which you understand or interpret it. □ [+ of ] My reading of her character is that she is a responsible person.

4 N‑COUNT The reading on a measuring device is the figure or measurement that it shows. □ The gauge must be giving a faulty reading.

5 N‑COUNT In the British Parliament or the U.S. Congress, a reading is one of the three stages of introducing and discussing a new bill before it can be passed as law. □ The bill is expected to pass its second reading with a comfortable majority.

6 PHRASE If you say that a book or an article makes interesting reading or makes for interesting reading , you mean that it is interesting to read. □ The list of drinks, a dozen pages long, makes fascinating reading.

rea d|ing glasses N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Reading glasses are glasses that are worn by people, for example when they are reading, because they cannot see things close to them very well.

rea d|ing lamp (reading lamps ) N‑COUNT A reading lamp is a small lamp that you keep on a desk or table. You can move part of it in order to direct the light to where you need it for reading.

rea d|ing room (reading rooms ) N‑COUNT A reading room is a quiet room in a library or museum where you can read and study.

re|adjust /riː ədʒʌ st/ (readjusts , readjusting , readjusted )

1 VERB When you readjust to a new situation, usually one you have been in before, you adapt to it. □ [V + to ] I can understand why astronauts find it difficult to readjust to life on Earth. □ [V ] They are bound to take time to readjust after a holiday.

2 VERB If you readjust the level of something, your attitude to something, or the way you do something, you change it to make it more effective or appropriate. □ [V n] In the end you have to readjust your expectations.

3 VERB If you readjust something such as a piece of clothing or a mechanical device, you correct or alter its position or setting. □ [V n] Readjust your watch. You are now on Moscow time.

re|adjust|ment /riː ədʒʌ stmənt/ (readjustments )

1 N‑VAR Readjustment is the process of adapting to a new situation, usually one that you have been in before. □ The next few weeks will be a period of readjustment.

2 N‑VAR A readjustment of something is a change that you make to it so that it is more effective or appropriate. □ [+ of ] The organization denies that it is seeking any readjustment of state borders. □ …the effects of economic readjustment.

read|out /riː daʊt/ (readouts ) N‑COUNT If an electronic measuring device gives you a readout , it displays information about the level of something such as a speed, height, or sound. □ [+ of ] The system provides a digital readout of the vehicle's speed.

ready ◆◆◇ /re di/ (readier , readiest , readies , readying , readied )

1 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf] If someone is ready , they are properly prepared for something. If something is ready , it has been properly prepared and is now able to be used. □ [+ for ] It took her a long time to get ready for church. □ Are you ready to board, Mr Daly? □ Tomorrow he would tell his pilot to get the aircraft ready.

2 ADJ [v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf] If you are ready for something or ready to do something, you have enough experience to do it or you are old enough and sensible enough to do it. □ [+ for ] She says she's not ready for motherhood. □ You'll have no trouble getting him into a nursery when you feel he's ready to go.

3 ADJ If you are ready to do something, you are willing to do it. □ They were ready to die for their beliefs.

4 ADJ If you are ready for something, you need it or want it. □ [+ for ] I don't know about you, but I'm ready for bed.

5 ADJ To be ready to do something means to be about to do it or likely to do it. □ She looked ready to cry.

6 ADJ [ADJ n] You use ready to describe things that are able to be used very quickly and easily. □ …a ready supply of well-trained and well-motivated workers.

7 ADJ [ADJ n] Ready money is in the form of notes and coins rather than cheques or credit cards, and so it can be used immediately. □ I'm afraid I don't have enough ready cash.

8 VERB When you ready something, you prepare it for a particular purpose. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + for ] John's soldiers were readying themselves for the final assault. [Also V n to-inf]

9 COMB Ready combines with past participles to indicate that something has already been done, and that therefore you do not have to do it yourself. □ You can buy ready-printed forms for wills at stationery shops.

10 PHRASE If you have something at the ready , you have it in a position where it can be quickly and easily used. □ Soldiers came charging through the forest, guns at the ready.

rea dy-ma de

1 ADJ If something that you buy is ready-made , you can use it immediately, because the work you would normally have to do has already been done. □ We rely quite a bit on ready-made meals–they are so convenient.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Ready-made means extremely convenient or useful for a particular purpose. □ Those wishing to study urban development have a ready-made example on their doorstep.

rea dy mea l (ready meals ) N‑COUNT Ready meals are complete meals that are sold in shops. They are already prepared and you need only heat them before eating them.

rea dy-to-wea r ADJ [ADJ n] Ready-to-wear clothes are made in standard sizes so that they fit most people, rather than being made specially for a particular person. □ In 1978 he launched his first major ready-to-wear collection for the Austin Reed stores.

re|affirm /riː əfɜː ^r m/ (reaffirms , reaffirming , reaffirmed ) VERB If you reaffirm something, you state it again clearly and firmly. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He reaffirmed his commitment to the country's economic reform programme. □ [V that] The government has reaffirmed that it will take any steps necessary to maintain law and order.

re|affor|esta|tion /riː əfɒr I ste I ʃ ^ə n, [AM ] -fɔːr-/ N‑UNCOUNT Reafforestation is the same as reforestation . [mainly BRIT ]

re|agent /rie I dʒənt/ (reagents ) N‑COUNT A reagent is a substance that is used to cause a chemical reaction. Reagents are often used in order to indicate the presence of another substance. [TECHNICAL ]

real ◆◆◆ /riː l/

1 ADJ Something that is real actually exists and is not imagined, invented, or theoretical. □ No, it wasn't a dream. It was real. □ Legends grew up around a great many figures, both real and fictitious.

2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If something is real to someone, they experience it as though it really exists or happens, even though it does not. □ [+ to ] Whitechild's life becomes increasingly real to the reader.

3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A material or object that is real is natural or functioning, and not artificial or an imitation. □ …the smell of real leather. □ Who's to know if they're real guns or not?

4 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use real to describe someone or something that has all the characteristics or qualities that such a person or thing typically has. □ …his first real girlfriend. □ The only real job I'd ever had was as manager of the local cafe.

5 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use real to describe something that is the true or original thing of its kind, in contrast to one that someone wants you to believe is true. □ This was the real reason for her call. □ Her real name had been Miriam Pinckus.

6 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use real to describe something that is the most important or typical part of a thing. □ When he talks, he only gives glimpses of his real self. □ The smart executive has people he can trust doing all the real work.

7 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use real when you are talking about a situation or feeling to emphasize that it exists and is important or serious. [EMPHASIS ] □ Global warming is a real problem. □ The prospect of civil war is very real. □ There was never any real danger of the children being affected.

8 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use real to emphasize a quality that is genuine and sincere. [EMPHASIS ] □ I thought we were the team who showed real determination to win.

9 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use real before nouns to emphasize your description of something or someone. [mainly SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ 'It's a fabulous deal, a real bargain.'

10 ADJ [ADJ n] The real cost or value of something is its cost or value after other amounts have been added or subtracted and when factors such as the level of inflation have been considered. □ …the real cost of borrowing. ● PHRASE You can also talk about the cost or value of something in real terms . □ In real terms the cost of driving is cheaper than a decade ago.

11 ADV [ADV adj/adv] You can use real to emphasize an adjective or adverb. [AM , INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ He is finding prison life 'real tough'.

12 PHRASE If you say that someone does something for real , you mean that they actually do it and do not just pretend to do it. □ The action scenes were just good acting. We didn't do it for real.

13 PHRASE If you think that someone or something is very surprising, you can ask if they are for real . [AM , INFORMAL ] □ Is this guy for real?

14 PHRASE If you say that a thing or event is the real thing , you mean that it is the thing or event itself, rather than an imitation or copy. □ The counterfeits sell for about $20 less than the real thing.

rea l a le (real ales ) N‑VAR Real ale is beer which is stored in a barrel and is pumped from it without the use of carbon dioxide. [mainly BRIT ]

rea l es|tate

1 N‑UNCOUNT Real estate is property in the form of land and buildings, rather than personal possessions. [mainly AM ] □ By investing in real estate, he was one of the richest men in the United States.

2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Real estate businesses or real estate agents sell houses, buildings, and land. [AM ] □ …the real estate agent who sold you your house. in BRIT, use estate agency , estate agents

re|align /riː əla I n/ (realigns , realigning , realigned ) VERB If you realign your ideas, policies, or plans, you organize them in a different way in order to take account of new circumstances. □ [V n] Pardew hopes to realign his team with more British players. [Also V ]

re|align|ment /riː əla I nmənt/ (realignments ) N‑VAR If a company, economy, or system goes through a realignment , it is organized or arranged in a new way. □ [+ of ] …a realignment of the existing political structure.

re|al|ise /riː əla I z/ → see realize

re|al|ism /riː əl I zəm/

1 N‑UNCOUNT When people show realism in their behaviour, they recognize and accept the true nature of a situation and try to deal with it in a practical way. [APPROVAL ] □ It was time now to show more political realism.

2 N‑UNCOUNT If things and people are presented with realism in paintings, stories, or films, they are presented in a way that is like real life. [APPROVAL ] □ Greene's stories had an edge of realism that made it easy to forget they were fiction.

re|al|ist /riː əl I st/ (realists )

1 N‑COUNT A realist is someone who recognizes and accepts the true nature of a situation and tries to deal with it in a practical way. [APPROVAL ] □ I see myself not as a cynic but as a realist.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] A realist painter or writer is one who represents things and people in a way that is like real life. □ …perhaps the foremost realist painter of our times.

re|al|is|tic /riː əl I st I k/

1 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are realistic about a situation, you recognize and accept its true nature and try to deal with it in a practical way. □ [+ about ] Police have to be realistic about violent crime. □ It's only realistic to acknowledge that something, some time, will go wrong. ● re|al|is|ti|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ As an adult, you can assess the situation realistically.

2 ADJ Something such as a goal or target that is realistic is one which you can sensibly expect to achieve. □ Establish deadlines that are more realistic.

3 ADJ You say that a painting, story, or film is realistic when the people and things in it are like people and things in real life. □ …extraordinarily realistic paintings of Indians. ● re|al|is|ti|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ The film starts off realistically and then develops into a ridiculous fantasy.

re|al|is|ti|cal|ly /riː əl I st I kli/

1 ADV You use realistically when you want to emphasize that what you are saying is true, even though you would prefer it not to be true. [EMPHASIS ] □ Realistically, there is never one right answer.

2 → see also realistic

re|al|ity ◆◆◇ /riæ l I ti/ (realities )

1 N‑UNCOUNT You use reality to refer to real things or the real nature of things rather than imagined, invented, or theoretical ideas. □ Fiction and reality were increasingly blurred.

2 → see also virtual reality

3 N‑COUNT The reality of a situation is the truth about it, especially when it is unpleasant or difficult to deal with. □ [+ of ] …the harsh reality of top international competition.

4 N‑SING You say that something has become a reality when it actually exists or is actually happening. □ …the whole procedure that made this book become a reality.

5 PHRASE You can use in reality to introduce a statement about the real nature of something, when it contrasts with something incorrect that has just been described. □ He came across as streetwise, but in reality he was not. COLLOCATIONS reality NOUN 3

adjective + reality : grim, harsh, sad, stark

verb + reality : accept, confront, face, recognize; expose, reflect

re |a l|ity check (reality checks ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you say that something is a reality check for someone, you mean that it makes them recognize the truth about a situation, especially about the difficulties involved in something they want to achieve. □ [+ for ] This first reality check for the players could shape the rest of the club's season.

re|a l|ity TV N‑UNCOUNT Reality TV is a type of television programming which aims to show how ordinary people behave in everyday life, or in situations, often created by the programme makers, which are intended to represent everyday life. □ …the Americans' current infatuation with reality TV.

re|al|iz|able /riː əla I zəb ^ə l/ in BRIT, also use realisable 1 ADJ If your hopes or aims are realizable , there is a possibility that the things that you want to happen will happen. [FORMAL ] □ …the reasonless assumption that one's dreams and desires were realizable.

2 ADJ Realizable wealth is money that can be easily obtained by selling something. [FORMAL ] □ They must prove they own £250,000 of realisable assets.

re|al|ize ◆◆◇ /riː əla I z/ (realizes , realizing , realized ) in BRIT, also use realise 1 VERB If you realize that something is true, you become aware of that fact or understand it. □ [V that] As soon as we realised something was wrong, we moved the children away. □ [V wh] People don't realize how serious this recession has actually been. □ [V n] Once they realised their mistake the phone was reconnected again. □ [V ] 'That's my brother.'—'Oh, I hadn't realized.' ● re|ali|za|tion /riː əla I ze I ʃ ^ə n/ (realizations ) N‑VAR [usu N that] □ There is now a growing realisation that things cannot go on like this for much longer. □ [+ of ] He nearly cried out at the sudden realization of how much Randall looked like him.

2 VERB [usu passive] If your hopes, desires, or fears are realized , the things that you hope for, desire, or fear actually happen. □ [be V -ed] Straightaway our worst fears were realised. ● re|ali|za|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the realization of his worst fears.

3 VERB When someone realizes a design or an idea, they make or organize something based on that design or idea. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Various textile techniques will be explored to realise design possibilities.

4 VERB If someone or something realizes their potential, they do everything they are capable of doing, because they have been given the opportunity to do so. □ [V n] The support systems to enable women to realize their potential at work are inadequate.

5 VERB If something realizes a particular amount of money when it is sold, that amount of money is paid for it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Last year's auction realised $48 million. ● re|ali|za|tion N‑VAR □ [+ of ] I took this course to assist the realisation of my assets for the benefit of my creditors. SYNONYMS realize VERB 1

understand: They are too young to understand what is going on.

appreciate: He appreciates that co-operation with the media is part of his professional duties.

grasp: He instantly grasped that Stephen was talking about his wife.

rea l li fe N‑UNCOUNT [usu in N ] If something happens in real life , it actually happens and is not just in a story or in someone's imagination. □ In FarmVille, wheat grows in two days - in real life, it takes months. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Real life is also an adjective. □ …a real-life horror story.

re|allo|cate /riː æ ləke I t/ (reallocates , reallocating , reallocated ) VERB When organizations reallocate money or resources, they decide to change the way they spend the money or use the resources. □ [V n] …a cost-cutting program to reallocate people and resources within the company. □ [be V -ed + to ] Money should be reallocated to towns devastated by pit closures.

re|al|ly ◆◆◆ /riː əli/

1 ADV [usu ADV with v] You can use really to emphasize a statement. [SPOKEN , EMPHASIS ] □ I'm very sorry. I really am. □ It really is best to manage without any medication if you possibly can.

2 ADV [ADV adj/adv] You can use really to emphasize an adjective or adverb. [EMPHASIS ] □ It was really good. □ They were really nice people.

3 ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] You use really when you are discussing the real facts about something, in contrast to the ones someone wants you to believe. □ My father didn't really love her.

4 ADV [ADV before v] People use really in questions and negative statements when they want you to answer 'no'. [EMPHASIS ] □ Do you really think he would be that stupid?

5 ADV [ADV before v] If you refer to a time when something really begins to happen, you are emphasizing that it starts to happen at that time to a much greater extent and much more seriously than before. [EMPHASIS ] □ That's when the pressure really started.

6 ADV [ADV after neg, usu ADV with v] People sometimes use really to slightly reduce the force of a negative statement. [SPOKEN , VAGUENESS ] □ I'm not really surprised. □ 'Did they hurt you?'—'Not really'.

7 CONVENTION You can say really to express surprise or disbelief at what someone has said. [SPOKEN , FEELINGS ] □ 'We discovered it was totally the wrong decision.'—'Really?'. SYNONYMS really ADV 2

extremely: Three of them are working extremely well.

very: I'm very sorry.

particularly: Progress has been particularly disappointing.

incredibly: Their father was incredibly good-looking.

realm /re lm/ (realms )

1 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] You can use realm to refer to any area of activity, interest, or thought. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the realm of politics.

2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A realm is a country that has a king or queen. [FORMAL ] □ Defence of the realm is crucial.

3 PHRASE If you say that something is not beyond the realms of possibility , you mean that it is possible. □ A fall of 50 per cent or more on prices is not beyond the realms of possibility.

rea l pro p|er|ty N‑UNCOUNT Real property is property in the form of land and buildings, rather than personal possessions. [AM ]

rea l time N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N ] If something is done in real time , there is no noticeable delay between the action and its effect or consequence. □ …umpires, who have to make every decision in real time.

rea l-time ADJ [ADJ n] Real-time processing is a type of computer programming or data processing in which the information received is processed by the computer almost immediately. [COMPUTING ] □ …real-time language translations.

Real|tor /riː əltɔːr/ (Realtors ) also realtor N‑COUNT A Realtor is a person whose job is to sell houses, buildings, and land, and who is a member of the National Association of Realtors. [AM , TRADEMARK ] in BRIT, use estate agent

rea l wo rld N‑SING If you talk about the real world , you are referring to the world and life in general, in contrast to a particular person's own life, experience, and ideas, which may seem untypical and unrealistic. □ When they leave school, they will be ill-equipped to deal with the real world.

ream /riː m/ (reams ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] If you say that there are reams of paper or reams of writing, you mean that there are large amounts of it. [INFORMAL ] □ [+ of ] They have to sort through the reams of information to determine what it may mean.

reap /riː p/ (reaps , reaping , reaped ) VERB If you reap the benefits or the rewards of something, you enjoy the good things that happen as a result of it. □ [V n] You'll soon begin to reap the benefits of being fitter.

reap|er /riː pə ^r / (reapers )

1 N‑COUNT A reaper is a machine used to cut and gather crops.

2 → see also Grim Reaper

re|appear /riː əp I ə ^r / (reappears , reappearing , reappeared ) VERB When people or things reappear , they return again after they have been away or out of sight for some time. □ [V ] Thirty seconds later she reappeared and beckoned them forward.

re|appear|ance /riː əp I ə rəns/ (reappearances ) N‑COUNT [usu with poss] The reappearance of someone or something is their return after they have been away or out of sight for some time. □ His sudden reappearance must have been a shock.

re|apprais|al /riː əpre I z ^ə l/ (reappraisals ) N‑VAR If there is a reappraisal of something such as an idea or plan, people think about the idea carefully and decide whether they want to change it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Britain's worst jail riot will force a fundamental reappraisal of prison policy.

re|appraise /riː əpre I z/ (reappraises , reappraising , reappraised ) VERB If you reappraise something such as an idea or a plan, you think carefully about it and decide whether it needs to be changed. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] It did not persuade them to abandon the war but it did force them to reappraise their strategy.

rear ◆◇◇ /r I ə ^r / (rears , rearing , reared )

1 N‑SING The rear of something such as a building or vehicle is the back part of it. □ [+ of ] He settled back in the rear of the taxi. □ [+ of ] …a stairway in the rear of the building. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Rear is also an adjective. □ Manufacturers have been obliged to fit rear seat belts in all new cars.

2 N‑SING If you are at the rear of a moving line of people, you are the last person in it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Musicians played at the front and rear of the procession.

3 N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Your rear is the part of your body that you sit on. [INFORMAL ] □ He plans to have a dragon tattooed on his rear.

4 VERB If you rear children, you look after them until they are old enough to look after themselves. □ [V n] She reared six children.

5 VERB If you rear a young animal, you keep and look after it until it is old enough to be used for work or food, or until it can look after itself. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] She spends a lot of time rearing animals. in AM, usually use raise 6 VERB When a horse rears , it moves the front part of its body upwards, so that its front legs are high in the air and it is standing on its back legs. □ [V ] The horse reared and threw off its rider.

7 VERB If you say that something such as a building or mountain rears above you, you mean that is very tall and close to you. □ [V prep/adv] The exhibition hall reared above me behind a high fence.

8 PHRASE If a person or vehicle is bringing up the rear , they are the last person or vehicle in a moving line of them. □ [+ of ] …police motorcyclists bringing up the rear of the procession.

9 PHRASE If something unpleasant rears its head or rears its ugly head , it becomes visible or noticeable. □ The threat of strikes reared its head again this summer.

rea r ad|mi|ral (Rear Admirals ) N‑COUNT ; N‑TITLE A rear admiral is a senior officer in the navy. □ …Rear Admiral Douglas Cap, commander of the USS America.

rea r-e nd (rear-ends , rear-ending , rear-ended ) VERB If a driver or vehicle rear-ends the vehicle in front, they crash into the back of it. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] A few days earlier somebody had rear-ended him.

rear|guard /r I ə ^r gɑː ^r d/

1 N‑SING In a battle, the rearguard is a group of soldiers who protect the back part of an army, especially when the army is leaving the battle.

2 PHRASE If someone is fighting a rearguard action or mounting a rearguard action , they are trying very hard to prevent something from happening, even though it is probably too late for them to succeed. [JOURNALISM ] □ …actresses fighting a rearguard action against the plastification of women.

re|arm /riː ɑː ^r m/ (rearms , rearming , rearmed ) also re-arm VERB If a country rearms or is rearmed , it starts to build up a new stock of military weapons. □ [V ] They neglected to rearm in time and left Britain exposed to disaster. □ [V n] …NATO's decision to rearm West Germany.

re|arma|ment /riː ɑː ^r məmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT Rearmament is the process of building up a new stock of military weapons.

re|arrange /riː əre I ndʒ/ (rearranges , rearranging , rearranged )

1 VERB If you rearrange things, you change the way in which they are organized or ordered. □ [V n] When she returned, she found Malcolm had rearranged all her furniture.

2 VERB If you rearrange a meeting or an appointment, you arrange for it to take place at a different time to that originally intended. □ [V n] You may cancel or rearrange the appointment.

re|arrange|ment /riː əre I ndʒmənt/ (rearrangements ) N‑VAR A rearrangement is a change in the way that something is arranged or organized. □ …a rearrangement of the job structure.

rea r-view mir|ror (rear-view mirrors ) also rearview mirror N‑COUNT Inside a car, the rear-view mirror is the mirror that enables you to see the traffic behind when you are driving.

rear|ward /r I ə ^r wə ^r d/ ADV [ADV with v] If something moves or faces rearward , it moves or faces backwards. □ …a rearward facing infant carrier. □ The centre of pressure moves rearward and the aeroplane becomes unbalanced. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Rearward is also an adjective. □ …the rearward window.

rea|son ◆◆◆ /riː z ^ə n/ (reasons , reasoning , reasoned )

1 N‑COUNT The reason for something is a fact or situation which explains why it happens or what causes it to happen. □ [+ for ] There is a reason for every important thing that happens. □ [N to-inf] Who would have a reason to want to kill her?

2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N to-inf] If you say that you have reason to believe something or to have a particular emotion, you mean that you have evidence for your belief or there is a definite cause of your feeling. □ They had reason to believe there could be trouble. □ He had every reason to be upset.

3 N‑UNCOUNT The ability that people have to think and to make sensible judgments can be referred to as reason . □ …a conflict between emotion and reason.

4 VERB If you reason that something is true, you decide that it is true after thinking carefully about all the facts. □ [V that] I reasoned that changing my diet would lower my cholesterol level. □ [V with quote] 'Listen,' I reasoned, 'it doesn't take a genius to figure out what Adam's up to.'

5 → see also reasoned , reasoning

6 PHRASE If one thing happens by reason of another, it happens because of it. [FORMAL ] □ The boss retains enormous influence by reason of his position.

7 PHRASE If you try to make someone listen to reason , you try to persuade them to listen to sensible arguments and be influenced by them. □ The company's top executives had refused to listen to reason.

8 PHRASE If you say that something happened or was done for no reason , for no good reason , or for no reason at all , you mean that there was no obvious reason why it happened or was done. □ The guards, he said, would punch them for no reason. □ For no reason at all the two men started to laugh.

9 PHRASE If a person or thing is someone's reason for living or their reason for being , they are the most important thing in that person's life. □ Chloe is my reason for living.

10 PHRASE If you say that something happened or is true for some reason , you mean that you know it happened or is true, but you do not know why. [VAGUENESS ] □ For some inexplicable reason she was attracted to Patrick.

11 PHRASE If you say that you will do anything within reason , you mean that you will do anything that is fair or reasonable and not too extreme. □ I will take any job that comes along, within reason.

12 rhyme or reason → see rhyme

13 to see reason → see see

14 it stands to reason → see stand

▸ reason with PHRASAL VERB If you try to reason with someone, you try to persuade them to do or accept something by using sensible arguments. □ [V P n] I have watched parents trying to reason with their children and have never seen it work.

rea|son|able ◆◇◇ /riː zənəb ^ə l/

1 ADJ If you think that someone is fair and sensible you can say that they are reasonable . □ He's a reasonable sort of chap. □ Oh, come on, be reasonable. ● rea|son|ably /riː zənəbli/ ADV □ 'I'm sorry, Andrew,' she said reasonably. ● rea|son|able|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ 'I can understand how you feel,' Desmond said with great reasonableness.

2 ADJ If you say that a decision or action is reasonable , you mean that it is fair and sensible. □ …a perfectly reasonable decision. □ At the time, what he'd done had seemed reasonable.

3 ADJ If you say that an expectation or explanation is reasonable , you mean that there are good reasons why it may be correct. □ It seems reasonable to expect rapid urban growth. ● rea|son|ably ADV [ADV with v] □ You can reasonably expect your goods to arrive within six to eight weeks.

4 ADJ If you say that the price of something is reasonable , you mean that it is fair and not too high. □ You get an interesting meal for a reasonable price. ● rea|son|ably ADV [ADV with v] □ …reasonably priced accommodation.

5 ADJ You can use reasonable to describe something that is fairly good, but not very good. □ The boy answered him in reasonable French. ● rea|son|ably ADV [ADV adj/adv] □ I can dance reasonably well.

6 ADJ A reasonable amount of something is a fairly large amount of it. □ They will need a reasonable amount of desk area and good light. ● rea|son|ably ADV [ADV adj/adv] □ From now on events moved reasonably quickly. SYNONYMS reasonable ADJ

1

sensible: Oh come on, let's be sensible about this.

reasoned: This is an issue which produces little reasoned argument.

rational: He's asking you to look at both sides of the case and come to a rational decision.

2

fair: It didn't seem fair to leave out her father.

just: Was Pollard's life sentence just or was it too severe?

acceptable: The air pollution exceeds most acceptable levels by 10 times or more.

rea|soned /riː z ^ə nd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A reasoned discussion or argument is based on sensible reasons, rather than on an appeal to people's emotions. [APPROVAL ] □ Abortion is an issue which produces little reasoned argument.

rea|son|ing /riː zən I ŋ/ (reasonings ) N‑VAR Reasoning is the process by which you reach a conclusion after thinking about all the facts. □ …the reasoning behind the decision.

re|as|sem|ble /riː əse mb ^ə l/ (reassembles , reassembling , reassembled )

1 VERB If you reassemble something, you put it back together after it has been taken apart. □ [V n] We will now try to reassemble pieces of the wreckage.

2 VERB If a group of people reassembles or if you reassemble them, they gather together again in a group. □ [V ] We shall reassemble in the car park in thirty minutes. □ [V n] Mr Lucas reassembled his team in September.

re|as|sert /riː əsɜː ^r t/ (reasserts , reasserting , reasserted )

1 VERB If you reassert your control or authority, you make it clear that you are still in a position of power, or you strengthen the power that you had. □ [V n] …the government's continuing effort to reassert its control in the region.

2 VERB If something such as an idea or habit reasserts itself , it becomes noticeable again. □ [V pron-refl] His sense of humour was beginning to reassert itself.

re|as|sess /riː əse s/ (reassesses , reassessing , reassessed ) VERB If you reassess something, you think about it and decide whether you need to change your opinion about it. □ [V n] I will reassess the situation when I get home.

re|as|sess|ment /riː əse smənt/ (reassessments ) N‑VAR If you make a reassessment of something, you think about it and decide whether you need to change your opinion about it. □ [+ of ] …the moment when we make a reassessment of ourselves.