re|assur|ance /riː əʃʊə rəns/ (reassurances )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If someone needs reassurance , they are very worried and need someone to help them stop worrying by saying kind or helpful things. □ She needed reassurance that she belonged somewhere.
2 N‑COUNT Reassurances are things that you say to help people stop worrying about something. □ …reassurances that pesticides are not harmful.
re|assure /riː əʃʊə r / (reassures , reassuring , reassured ) VERB If you reassure someone, you say or do things to make them stop worrying about something. □ [V n] I tried to reassure her, 'Don't worry about it. We won't let it happen again.' □ [V n that] She just reassured me that everything was fine. [Also V n + about ]
re|assured /riː əʃʊə r d/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you feel reassured , you feel less worried about something, usually because you have received help or advice. □ I feel much more reassured when I've been for a health check.
re|assur|ing /riː əʃʊə r I ŋ/ ADJ If you find someone's words or actions reassuring , they make you feel less worried about something. □ It was reassuring to hear John's familiar voice. ● re|assur|ing|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ 'It's okay now,' he said reassuringly.
re|awak|en /riː əwe I kən/ (reawakens , reawakening , reawakened ) VERB If something reawakens an issue, or an interest or feeling that you used to have, it makes you think about it or feel it again. □ [V n] The King's stand is bound to reawaken the painful debate about abortion. ● re|awak|en|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …a reawakening of interest in stained glass.
re|badge /riː bæ dʒ/ (rebadges , rebadging , rebadged ) VERB If a product is rebadged , it is given a new name, brand, or logo. [BRIT ] □ [be V -ed + as ] The car was rebadged as a Vauxhall and sold in Britain. [Also V -ed]
re|bate /riː be I t/ (rebates ) N‑COUNT [oft n N , adj N ] A rebate is an amount of money which is paid to you when you have paid more tax, rent, or rates than you needed to. □ …a tax rebate. [Also + on ]
re|bel ◆◆◇ (rebels , rebelling , rebelled ) The noun is pronounced /re bəl/. The verb is pronounced /r I be l/. 1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Rebels are people who are fighting against their own country's army in order to change the political system there. □ …fighting between rebels and government forces. □ …rebel forces in Liberia.
2 N‑COUNT Politicians who oppose some of their own party's policies can be referred to as rebels . □ The rebels want another 1% cut in interest rates.
3 VERB If politicians rebel against one of their own party's policies, they show that they oppose it. □ [V + against ] There are signs that MPs are rebelling against a new regime of austerity at the Commons. □ [V + over ] …MPs planning to rebel over the proposed welfare cuts.
4 N‑COUNT You can say that someone is a rebel if you think that they behave differently from other people and have rejected the values of society or of their parents. □ She had been a rebel at school.
5 VERB When someone rebels , they start to behave differently from other people and reject the values of society or of their parents. □ [V ] The child who rebels is unlikely to be overlooked. □ [V + against ] I was very young and rebelling against everything. SYNONYMS rebel NOUN 1
revolutionary: The revolutionaries laid down their arms and their leaders went into voluntary exile.
insurgent: By early yesterday, the insurgents had taken control of the country's main military air base. VERB 5
revolt: In 1375 the townspeople revolted.
rise: The National Convention has promised armed support to any people who wish to rise against armed oppression.
dissent: Just one of the 10 members dissented.
disobey: They were threatened with punishment if they disobeyed.
re|bel|lion /r I be liən/ (rebellions )
1 N‑VAR A rebellion is a violent organized action by a large group of people who are trying to change their country's political system. □ The British soon put down the rebellion.
2 N‑VAR A situation in which politicians show their opposition to their own party's policies can be referred to as a rebellion . □ The Prime Minister faced his first Commons rebellion since the election.
re|bel|lious /r I be liəs/
1 ADJ If you think someone behaves in an unacceptable way and does not do what they are told, you can say they are rebellious . □ …a rebellious teenager. ● re|bel|lious|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the normal rebelliousness of youth.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A rebellious group of people is a group involved in taking violent action against the rulers of their own country, usually in order to change the system of government there. □ The prime minister will face even greater resistance from rebellious backbenchers.
re|birth /riː bɜː r θ/ N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to a change that leads to a new period of growth and improvement in something as its rebirth . □ [+ of ] …the rebirth of democracy in Latin America.
re|born /riː bɔː r n/ V-PASSIVE If you say that someone or something has been reborn , you mean that they have become active again after a period of being inactive. □ [be V -ed + as ] Russia was being reborn as a great power.
re|bound (rebounds , rebounding , rebounded ) The verb is pronounced /r I baʊ nd/. The noun is pronounced /riː baʊnd/. 1 VERB If something rebounds from a solid surface, it bounces or springs back from it. □ [V prep] His shot in the 21st minute of the game rebounded from a post. □ [V ] The hot liquid splashed down on the concrete and rebounded.
2 VERB If an action or situation rebounds on you, it has an unpleasant effect on you, especially when this effect was intended for someone else. □ [V + on/upon ] Mia realised her trick had rebounded on her. □ [V ] The CIA was extremely wary of interfering with the foreign press; in the past, such interference had rebounded.
3 PHRASE If you say that someone is on the rebound , you mean that they have just ended a relationship with a girlfriend or boyfriend. This often makes them do things they would not normally do. □ [+ from ] He took heroin for the first time when he was on the rebound from a broken relationship.
4 N‑COUNT In basketball, a rebound is a shot which someone catches after it has hit the board behind the basket.
re|brand /riː bræ nd/ (rebrands , rebranding , rebranded ) VERB To rebrand a product or organization means to present it to the public in a new way, for example by changing its name or appearance. [BUSINESS ] □ [V n] There are plans to rebrand many Texas stores.
re|brand|ing /riːbræ nd I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Rebranding is the process of giving a product or an organization a new image, in order to make it more attractive or successful. [BUSINESS ] □ [+ of ] The £85m programme will involve an extensive rebranding of the airline.
re|buff /r I bʌ f/ (rebuffs , rebuffing , rebuffed ) VERB If you rebuff someone or rebuff a suggestion that they make, you refuse to do what they suggest. □ [be V -ed + by ] His proposals have already been rebuffed by the Prime Minister. [Also be V -ed in n] ● N‑VAR Rebuff is also a noun. □ [+ to ] The results of the poll dealt a humiliating rebuff to Mr Jones.
re|build /riː b I ld/ (rebuilds , rebuilding , rebuilt )
1 VERB When people rebuild something such as a building or a city, they build it again after it has been damaged or destroyed. □ [V n] They say they will stay to rebuild their homes rather than retreat to refugee camps.
2 VERB When people rebuild something such as an institution, a system, or an aspect of their lives, they take action to bring it back to its previous condition. □ [V n] Everyone would have to work hard together to rebuild the economy. □ [V ] The agency has been rebuilding under new management.
re|buke /r I bjuː k/ (rebukes , rebuking , rebuked ) VERB If you rebuke someone, you speak severely to them because they have said or done something that you do not approve of. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The company has been publicly rebuked by one of its largest shareholders over its executive pay levels. ● N‑VAR Rebuke is also a noun. □ The UN delivered a strong rebuke to both countries for persisting with nuclear testing.
re|but /r I bʌ t/ (rebuts , rebutting , rebutted ) VERB If you rebut a charge or criticism that is made against you, you give reasons why it is untrue or unacceptable. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He spent most of his speech rebutting criticisms of his foreign policy.
re|but|tal /r I bʌ t ə l/ (rebuttals ) N‑COUNT If you make a rebuttal of a charge or accusation that has been made against you, you make a statement which gives reasons why the accusation is untrue. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of/to ] He is conducting a point-by-point rebuttal of charges from former colleagues.
re|cal|ci|trant /r I kæ ls I trənt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone or something as recalcitrant , you mean that they are unwilling to obey orders or are difficult to deal with. [FORMAL ] □ The danger is that recalcitrant local authorities will reject their responsibilities. ● re|cal|ci|trance /r I kæ ls I trəns/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …the government's recalcitrance over introducing even the smallest political reform.
re|call ◆◆◇ (recalls , recalling , recalled ) The verb is pronounced /r I kɔː l/. The noun is pronounced /riː kɔːl/. 1 VERB When you recall something, you remember it and tell others about it. □ [V that] Henderson recalled that he first met Pollard during a business trip to Washington. □ [V with quote] Her teacher recalled: 'She was always on about modelling.' □ [V wh] Colleagues today recall with humor how meetings would crawl into the early morning hours. □ [V n] I recalled the way they had been dancing together. □ [V ] I have no idea what she said, something about airline travel, I seem to recall.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Recall is the ability to remember something that has happened in the past or the act of remembering it. □ [+ of ] He had a good memory, and total recall of her spoken words.
3 VERB If you are recalled to your home, country, or the place where you work, you are ordered to return there. □ [V n] The Ambassador was recalled after a row over refugees seeking asylum at the embassy. ● N‑SING Recall is also a noun. □ [+ of ] The recall of ambassador Alan Green was a public signal of America's concern.
4 VERB In sport, if a player is recalled to a team, he or she is included in that team again after being left out. □ [be V -ed + to ] He is still delighted at being recalled to the Argentina squad after a nine-year absence. ● N‑SING Recall is also a noun. □ [+ to ] It would be great to get a recall to the England squad for Sweden.
5 VERB If a company recalls a product, it asks the shops or the people who have bought that product to return it because there is something wrong with it. □ [V n] The toy company said it was recalling the building set. SYNONYMS recall VERB 1
remember: I certainly don't remember talking to you at all.
recollect: His efforts, the Duke recollected many years later, were distinctly half-hearted.
re|cant /r I kæ nt/ (recants , recanting , recanted ) VERB If you recant , you say publicly that you no longer hold a set of beliefs that you had in the past. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] White House officials ordered Williams to recant. □ [V n] …a man who had refused after torture to recant his heresy.
re|cap /riː kæ p/ (recaps , recapping , recapped ) VERB You can say that you are going to recap when you want to draw people's attention to the fact that you are going to repeat the main points of an explanation, argument, or description, as a summary of it. □ [V ] To recap briefly, an agreement negotiated to cut the budget deficit was rejected 10 days ago. □ [V n] Can you recap the points included in the regional conference proposal? ● N‑SING Recap is also a noun. □ [+ of ] Each report starts with a recap of how we did versus our projections.
re|capi|tal|ize /riːkæ p I təla I z/ (recapitalizes , recapitalizing , recapitalized ) VERB If a company recapitalizes , it changes the way it manages its financial affairs, for example by borrowing money or reissuing shares. [AM , BUSINESS ] □ [V ] Mr Warnock resigned as the company abandoned a plan to recapitalize. □ [V n] He plans to recapitalize the insurance fund. ● re|capi|tali|za|tion /riːkæ p I təla I ze I ʃ ə n/ (recapitalizations ) N‑COUNT □ [+ of ] …a recapitalization of the company.
re|ca|pitu|late /riː kəp I tʃʊle I t/ (recapitulates , recapitulating , recapitulated ) VERB You can say that you are going to recapitulate the main points of an explanation, argument, or description when you want to draw attention to the fact that you are going to repeat the most important points as a summary. □ [V n] Let's just recapitulate the essential points. □ [V ] To recapitulate, the terms already communicated to you call for a minimum of publicity. ● re|ca|pitu|la|tion /riː kəp I tʃʊle I ʃ ə n/ N‑SING □ [+ of ] Chapter 9 provides a recapitulation of the material already presented.
re|cap|ture /riː kæ ptʃə r / (recaptures , recapturing , recaptured )
1 VERB When soldiers recapture an area of land or a place, they gain control of it again from an opposing army who had taken it from them. □ [V n] They said the bodies were found when rebels recaptured the area. ● N‑SING Recapture is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …an offensive to be launched for the recapture of the city.
2 VERB When people recapture something that they have lost to a competitor, they get it back again. □ [V n] I believe that he would be the best possibility to recapture the centre vote in the forthcoming election.
3 VERB To recapture a person or animal which has escaped from somewhere means to catch them again. □ [V n] Police have recaptured Alan Lord, who escaped from a police cell in Bolton. ● N‑SING Recapture is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the recapture of a renegade police chief in Panama.
4 VERB When you recapture something such as an experience, emotion, or a quality that you had in the past, you experience it again. When something recaptures an experience for you, it makes you remember it. □ [V n] He couldn't recapture the form he'd shown in getting to the semi-final.
re|cast /riː kɑː st, -kæ st/ (recasts , recasting ) The form recast is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle. 1 VERB If you recast something, you change it by organizing it in a different way. □ [V n] The shake-up aims to recast the company as a federation of flexible and competing subsidiaries. ● re|cast|ing N‑SING □ [+ of ] …the recasting of the political map of Europe.
2 VERB To recast an actor's role means to give the role to another actor. □ [V n] Stoppard had to recast four of the principal roles.
rec|ce /re ki/ (recces , recceing , recced ) VERB If you recce an area, you visit that place in order to become familiar with it. People usually recce an area when they are going to return at a later time to do something there. [BRIT , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [V n] The first duty of a director is to recce his location. ● N‑COUNT Recce is also a noun. □ Uncle Jim took the air rifle and went on a recce to the far end of the quarry.
recd. In written English, recd. can be used as an abbreviation for received .
re|cede /r I siː d/ (recedes , receding , receded )
1 VERB If something recedes from you, it moves away. □ [V prep] Luke's footsteps receded into the night. □ [V ] As she receded he waved goodbye.
2 VERB When something such as a quality, problem, or illness recedes , it becomes weaker, smaller, or less intense. □ [V ] Just as I started to think that I was never going to get well, the illness began to recede. [Also V prep]
3 VERB If a man's hair starts to recede , it no longer grows on the front of his head. □ [V ] …a youngish man with dark hair just beginning to recede. [Also V at/from n]
re|ceipt /r I siː t/ (receipts )
1 N‑COUNT A receipt is a piece of paper that you get from someone as proof that they have received money or goods from you. In British English a receipt is a piece of paper that you get in a shop when you buy something, but in American English the more usual term for this is sales slip . □ [+ for ] I wrote her a receipt for the money.
2 N‑PLURAL Receipts are the amount of money received during a particular period, for example by a shop or theatre. □ He was tallying the day's receipts.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The receipt of something is the act of receiving it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Goods should be supplied within 28 days after the receipt of your order.
4 PHRASE If you are in receipt of something, you have received it or you receive it regularly. [FORMAL ] □ We are taking action, having been in receipt of a letter from him.
re|ceive ◆◆◆ /r I siː v/ (receives , receiving , received )
1 VERB When you receive something, you get it after someone gives it to you or sends it to you. □ [V n] They will receive their awards at a ceremony in Stockholm. □ [V n] I received your letter of November 7.
2 VERB You can use receive to say that certain kinds of thing happen to someone. For example if they are injured, you can say that they received an injury. □ [V n] He received more of the blame than anyone when the plan failed to work. □ [V -ed] She was suffering from whiplash injuries received in a car crash.
3 VERB When you receive a visitor or a guest, you greet them. □ [V n] The following evening the duchess was again receiving guests.
4 VERB [usu passive] If you say that something is received in a particular way, you mean that people react to it in that way. □ [be V -ed prep/adv] The resolution had been received with great disappointment within the organization.
5 VERB When a radio or television receives signals that are being transmitted, it picks them up and converts them into sound or pictures. □ [V n] The reception was a little faint but clear enough for him to receive the signal. [Also V ]
6 PHRASE If you are on the receiving end or at the receiving end of something unpleasant, you are the person that it happens to. □ You saw hate in their eyes and you were on the receiving end of that hate. SYNONYMS receive VERB 1
collect: She had just collected her pension from the post office.
obtain: Evans was trying to obtain a false passport.
acquire: I recently acquired some wood from a holly tree.
re|ceived /r I siː vd/ ADJ [ADJ n] The received opinion about something or the received way of doing something is generally accepted by people as being correct. [FORMAL ] □ He was among the first to question the received wisdom of the time.
Re|cei ved Pro|nun|cia |tion N‑UNCOUNT Received Pronunciation is a way of pronouncing British English that is often used as a standard in the teaching of English as a foreign language. The abbreviation RP is also used. The accent represented by the pronunciations in this dictionary is Received Pronunciation.
re|ceiv|er /r I siː və r / (receivers )
1 N‑COUNT A phone's receiver is the part that you hold near to your ear and speak into.
2 N‑COUNT A receiver is the part of a radio or television that picks up signals and converts them into sound or pictures. □ A built-in TMC radio receiver picks up information about tailbacks, and alerted us promptly to a motorway hold-up.
3 N‑COUNT The receiver is someone who is appointed by a court of law to manage the affairs of a business, usually when it is facing financial failure. [BUSINESS ] □ Between July and September, a total of 1,059 firms called in the receiver.
re|ceiv|er|ship /r I siː və r ʃ I p/ (receiverships ) N‑VAR [oft in/into N ] If a company goes into receivership , it faces financial failure and the administration of its business is handled by the receiver. [BUSINESS ] □ The company has now gone into receivership with debts of several million.
re|cent ◆◆◆ /riː s ə nt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A recent event or period of time happened only a short while ago. □ In the most recent attack one man was shot dead and two others were wounded. □ Sales have fallen by more than 75 percent in recent years.
re|cent|ly ◆◆◇ /riː s ə ntli/ ADV [ADV with v] If you have done something recently or if something happened recently , it happened only a short time ago. □ The bank recently opened a branch in Germany. □ He was until very recently the most powerful banker in the city. SYNONYMS recently ADV
newly: She was young at the time, and newly married.
lately: Dad's health hasn't been too good lately.
just: I've just bought a new house.
re|cep|ta|cle /r I se pt I k ə l/ (receptacles ) N‑COUNT A receptacle is an object which you use to put or keep things in. [FORMAL ]
re|cep|tion /r I se pʃ ə n/ (receptions )
1 N‑SING [oft N n, oft at N ] The reception in a hotel is the desk or office that books rooms for people and answers their questions. [mainly BRIT ] □ Have him bring a car round to the reception. □ …the hotel's reception desk. in AM, use front desk 2 N‑SING [oft N n, oft at N ] The reception in an office or hospital is the place where people's appointments and questions are dealt with. [mainly BRIT ] □ Wait at reception for me.
3 N‑COUNT A reception is a formal party which is given to welcome someone or to celebrate a special event. □ At the reception they served smoked salmon.
4 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If someone or something has a particular kind of reception , that is the way that people react to them. □ The President was given a tumultuous reception.
5 N‑UNCOUNT If you get good reception from your mobile phone, radio, or television, the sound or picture is clear because the signal is strong. If the reception is poor, the sound or picture is unclear because the signal is weak. □ Adjust the aerial's position and direction for the best reception.
6 N‑SING Reception is the same as reception class .
re|ce p|tion cen|tre (reception centres ) N‑COUNT A reception centre is a place where people who have no homes or are being looked after by the government can live until somewhere else is found for them to live. [mainly BRIT ]
re|ce p|tion class (reception classes ) N‑COUNT A reception class is a class that children go into when they first start school at the age of four or five. [BRIT ]
re|cep|tion|ist /r I se pʃən I st/ (receptionists )
1 N‑COUNT In a hotel, the receptionist is the person whose job is to book rooms for people and answer their questions. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use desk clerk 2 N‑COUNT In an office or hospital, the receptionist is the person whose job is to answer the phone, arrange appointments, and deal with people when they first arrive.
re|ce p|tion room (reception rooms ) N‑COUNT A reception room is a room in a house, for example a living room, where people can sit. This expression is often used in descriptions of houses that are for sale. [BRIT ]
re|cep|tive /r I se pt I v/
1 ADJ Someone who is receptive to new ideas or suggestions is prepared to consider them or accept them. □ [+ to ] The voters had seemed receptive to his ideas. ● re|cep|tive|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ There was less receptiveness to liberalism in some areas.
2 ADJ If someone who is ill is receptive to treatment, they start to get better when they are given treatment. □ [+ to ] …those patients who are not receptive to treatment.
re|cep|tor /r I se ptə r / (receptors ) N‑COUNT Receptors are nerve endings in your body which react to changes and stimuli and make your body respond in a particular way. [TECHNICAL ] □ …the information receptors in our brain.
re|cess /r I se s, riː ses/ (recesses , recessing , recessed )
1 N‑COUNT [oft in N ] A recess is a break between the periods of work of an official body such as a committee, a court of law, or a government. □ The conference broke for a recess.
2 VERB When formal meetings or court cases recess , they stop temporarily. [FORMAL ] □ [V + for ] The hearings have now recessed for dinner. □ [V ] Before the trial recessed today, the lawyer read her opening statement.
3 N‑COUNT In a room, a recess is part of a wall which is built further back than the rest of the wall. Recesses are often used as a place to put furniture such as shelves. □ …a discreet recess next to a fireplace.
4 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The recesses of something or somewhere are the parts of it which are hard to see because light does not reach them or they are hidden from view. □ [+ of ] He emerged from the dark recesses of the garage.
5 N‑COUNT [usu pl] If you refer to the recesses of someone's mind or soul, you are referring to thoughts or feelings they have which are hidden or difficult to describe. □ [+ of ] There was something in the darker recesses of his unconscious that was troubling him.
re|cessed /riː sest/ ADJ If something such as a door or window is recessed , it is set into the wall that surrounds it. □ …a wide passage, lit from one side by recessed windows.
re|ces|sion ◆◆◇ /r I se ʃ ə n/ (recessions ) N‑VAR A recession is a period when the economy of a country is doing badly, for example because industry is producing less and more people are becoming unemployed. □ The oil price increases sent Europe into deep recession. COLLOCATIONS recession NOUN
adjective + recession : deep, economic, global; deepening, looming, prolonged
verb + recession : avoid, beat, survive, weather SYNONYMS recession NOUN
depression: He never forgot the hardships he witnessed during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
slump: …the slump of the early 1980s.
credit crunch: The most common argument for cutting interest rates is to prevent a global credit crunch.
downturn: They predicted a severe economic downturn.
re|ces|sion|al /r I se ʃən ə l/
1 N‑SING The recessional is a religious song which is sung at the end of a church service.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Recessional means related to an economic recession. □ Many home sellers remain stuck in a recessional rut.
re|ces|sion|ary /r I se ʃ ə nri/ ADJ [ADJ n] Recessionary means relating to an economic recession or having the effect of creating a recession. □ Reduced interest rates would help ease recessionary pressures in the economy.
re|ces|sive /r I se s I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A recessive gene produces a particular characteristic only if a person has two of these genes, one from each parent. Compare dominant . [TECHNICAL ] □ Sickle-cell anaemia is passed on through a recessive gene.
re|charge /riː tʃɑː r dʒ/ (recharges , recharging , recharged )
1 VERB If you recharge a battery, you put an electrical charge back into the battery by connecting it to a machine that draws power from another source of electricity such as the mains. □ [V n] He is using your mains electricity to recharge his car battery.
2 PHRASE If you recharge your batteries , you take a break from activities which are tiring or difficult in order to relax and feel better when you return to these activities. □ He wanted to recharge his batteries and come back feeling fresh and positive.
re|charge|able /riː tʃɑː r dʒəb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Rechargeable batteries can be recharged and used again. Some electrical products are described as rechargeable when they contain rechargeable batteries. □ …a rechargeable battery. □ …a rechargeable drill.
re|cher|ché /rəʃeə r ʃe I / ADJ If you describe something as recherché , you mean that it is very sophisticated or is associated with people who like things which are unusual and of a very high quality. [FORMAL ] □ Only extra-virgin olive oil will do on recherché dinner tables.
re|cidi|vist /r I s I d I v I st/ (recidivists ) N‑COUNT A recidivist is someone who has committed crimes in the past and has begun to commit crimes again, for example after a period in prison. [FORMAL ] □ Six prisoners are still at large along with four dangerous recidivists. ● re|cidi|vism /r I s I d I v I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Their basic criticism was that prisons do not reduce the crime rate, they cause recidivism.
reci|pe /re s I pi/ (recipes )
1 N‑COUNT A recipe is a list of ingredients and a set of instructions that tell you how to cook something. □ …a traditional recipe for oatmeal biscuits. □ …a recipe book.
2 N‑SING If you say that something is a recipe for a particular situation, you mean that it is likely to result in that situation. □ Large-scale inflation is a recipe for disaster.
re|cipi|ent /r I s I piənt/ (recipients ) N‑COUNT The recipient of something is the person who receives it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the largest recipient of American foreign aid.
re|cip|ro|cal /r I s I prək ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A reciprocal action or agreement involves two people or groups who do the same thing to each other or agree to help each another in a similar way. [FORMAL ] □ They expected a reciprocal gesture before more hostages could be freed.
re|cip|ro|cate /r I s I prəke I t/ (reciprocates , reciprocating , reciprocated ) VERB If your feelings or actions towards someone are reciprocated , the other person feels or behaves in the same way towards you as you have felt or behaved towards them. □ [V n] He reciprocated the party leader's good wishes. □ [V + by ] I helped Juan with his English and he reciprocated by correcting my Spanish. ● re|cip|ro|ca|tion /r I s I prəke I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] There was no reciprocation of affection.
reci|proc|ity /re s I prɒ s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT Reciprocity is the exchange of something between people or groups of people when each person or group gives or allows something to the other. [FORMAL ] □ They gave assurances they would press for reciprocity with Greece in the issuing of visas.
re|cit|al /r I sa I t ə l/ (recitals )
1 N‑COUNT A recital is a performance of music or poetry, usually given by one person. □ …a solo recital by the harpsichordist Maggie Cole.
2 N‑COUNT If someone speaks for a long time, or says something that is boring or that has been heard many times before, you can describe it as a recital . [WRITTEN ] □ [+ of ] Before long we all grew bored with his frequent recital of the foods he couldn't eat.
reci|ta|tion /re s I te I ʃ ə n/ (recitations ) N‑VAR When someone does a recitation , they say aloud a piece of poetry or other writing that they have learned. □ The transmission began with a recitation from the Koran.
re|cite /r I sa I t/ (recites , reciting , recited )
1 VERB When someone recites a poem or other piece of writing, they say it aloud after they have learned it. □ [V n] They recited poetry to one another. [Also V ]
2 VERB If you recite something such as a list, you say it aloud. □ [V n] All he could do was recite a list of Government failings.
reck|less /re kləs/ ADJ If you say that someone is reckless , you mean that they act in a way which shows that they do not care about danger or the effect their behaviour will have on other people. □ He is charged with causing death by reckless driving. ● reck|less|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ He was leaning recklessly out of the unshuttered window. ● reck|less|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ He felt a surge of recklessness.
reck|on ◆◇◇ /re kən/ (reckons , reckoning , reckoned )
1 VERB If you reckon that something is true, you think that it is true. [INFORMAL ] □ [V that] Toni reckoned that it must be about three o'clock.
2 VERB [usu passive] If something is reckoned to be a particular figure, it is calculated to be roughly that amount. □ [be V -ed to-inf] The star's surface temperature is reckoned to be minus 75 degrees Celsius. □ [V n + at ] A proportion of the research, which I reckoned at about 30 percent, was basic research.
▸ reckon on PHRASAL VERB If you reckon on something, you feel certain that it will happen and are therefore prepared for it. □ [V -ing P ] They planned a family without reckoning on the small fortune it would cost.
▸ reckon with
1 PHRASAL VERB If you say that you had not reckoned with something, you mean that you had not expected it and so were not prepared for it. □ [V P n] Giles had not reckoned with the strength of Sally's feelings for him.
2 PHRASE If you say that there is someone or something to be reckoned with , you mean that they must be dealt with and it will be difficult. □ This act was a signal to his victim's friends that he was someone to be reckoned with. SYNONYMS reckon VERB 1
think: Nora thought he was seventeen years old.
believe: Experts believe that the coming drought will be extensive.
assume: If the package is wrapped well, we assume the contents are also wonderful.
suppose: It had been supposed that by then Peter would be married.
reck|on|ing /re kən I ŋ/ (reckonings ) N‑VAR [usu poss N ] Someone's reckoning is a calculation they make about something, especially a calculation that is not very exact. □ By my reckoning we were seven or eight kilometres from Borj Mechaab.
re|claim /r I kle I m/ (reclaims , reclaiming , reclaimed )
1 VERB If you reclaim something that you have lost or that has been taken away from you, you succeed in getting it back. □ [V n] In 1986, they got the right to reclaim South African citizenship.
2 VERB If you reclaim an amount of money, for example tax that you have paid, you claim it back. □ [V n] There are eight million people currently eligible to reclaim income tax.
3 VERB When people reclaim land, they make it suitable for a purpose such as farming or building, for example by draining it or by building a barrier against the sea. □ [V n] The Netherlands has been reclaiming farmland from water.
4 VERB [usu passive] If a piece of land that was used for farming or building is reclaimed by a desert, forest, or the sea, it turns back into desert, forest, or sea. □ [be V -ed + by ] The diamond towns are gradually being reclaimed by the desert.
rec|la|ma|tion /re kləme I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Reclamation is the process of changing land that is unsuitable for farming or building into land that can be used. □ [+ of ] …centuries of sea-wall construction and the reclamation of dry land from the marshes.
re|cline /r I kla I n/ (reclines , reclining , reclined )
1 VERB If you recline on something, you sit or lie on it with the upper part of your body supported at an angle. □ [V prep] She proceeded to recline on a chaise longue. [Also V n]
2 VERB When a seat reclines or when you recline it, you lower the back so that it is more comfortable to sit in. □ [V ] Air France first-class seats recline almost like beds. □ [V n] Ramesh had reclined his seat and was lying back smoking.
re|clin|er /r I kla I nə r / (recliners ) N‑COUNT A recliner is a type of armchair with a back that can be adjusted to slope at different angles.
re|cluse /r I kluː s, [AM ] re kluːs/ (recluses ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A recluse is a person who lives alone and deliberately avoids other people. □ His widow became a virtual recluse for the remainder of her life.
re|clu|sive /r I kluː s I v/ ADJ A reclusive person or animal lives alone and deliberately avoids the company of others. □ She had been living a reclusive life since her marriage broke up.
rec|og|nise /re kəgna I z/ → see recognize
rec|og|ni|tion ◆◇◇ /re kəgn I ʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Recognition is the act of recognizing someone or identifying something when you see it. □ He searched for a sign of recognition on her face, but there was none.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Recognition of something is an understanding and acceptance of it. □ [+ of ] The CBI welcomed the Chancellor's recognition of the recession and hoped for a reduction in interest rates.
3 N‑UNCOUNT When a government gives diplomatic recognition to another country, they officially accept that its status is valid. □ His government did not receive full recognition by Britain until July.
4 N‑UNCOUNT When a person receives recognition for the things that they have done, people acknowledge the value or skill of their work. □ At last, her father's work has received popular recognition.
5 PHRASE If you say that someone or something has changed beyond recognition or out of all recognition , you mean that person or thing has changed so much that you can no longer recognize them. [EMPHASIS ] □ The bodies were mutilated beyond recognition. □ The situation has changed out of all recognition.
6 PHRASE If something is done in recognition of someone's achievements, it is done as a way of showing official appreciation of them. □ Brazil normalised its diplomatic relations with South Africa in recognition of the steps taken to end apartheid. COLLOCATIONS recognition NOUN
1
noun + recognition : fingerprint, name, speech, voice; brand, pattern
verb + recognition : aid
4
adjective + recognition : belated, international
verb + recognition : achieve, gain, receive, win; deserve; crave, seek SYNONYMS recognition NOUN 2
acceptance: There was a general acceptance that the defence budget would shrink.
acknowledgement: This is an acknowledgment that the president has lost all hope of keeping the country together.
admission: She wanted some admission of guilt from her father.
rec|og|niz|able /re kəgna I zəb ə l/ in BRIT, also use recognisable ADJ [oft adv ADJ ] If something can be easily recognized or identified, you can say that it is easily recognizable . □ The body was found to be well preserved, his features easily recognizable. [Also + as/by/to ] ● rec|og|niz|ably /re kəgna I zəbli/ ADV [ADV adj] □ At seven weeks, an embryo is about three-fourths of an inch long and recognizably human.
rec|og|nize ◆◆◇ /re kəgna I z/ (recognizes , recognizing , recognized ) in BRIT, also use recognise 1 VERB [no cont] If you recognize someone or something, you know who that person is or what that thing is. □ [V n] The receptionist recognized him at once. □ [V n + as ] A man I easily recognized as Luke's father sat with a newspaper on his lap.
2 VERB [no cont] If someone says that they recognize something, they acknowledge that it exists or that it is true. □ [V n] I recognize my own shortcomings. □ [V that] Well, of course I recognize that evil exists.
3 VERB If people or organizations recognize something as valid, they officially accept it or approve of it. □ [V n + as ] Most doctors appear to recognize homeopathy as a legitimate form of medicine. □ [V n] Eisenhower recognized the Castro government at once. [Also V that]
4 VERB When people recognize the work that someone has done, they show their appreciation of it, often by giving that person an award of some kind. □ [V n + as ] The RAF recognized him as an outstandingly able engineer. □ [be V -ed + by ] Nichols was recognized by the Hall of Fame in 1949.
re|coil (recoils , recoiling , recoiled ) The verb is pronounced /r I kɔ I l/. The noun is pronounced /riː kɔ I l/. 1 VERB If something makes you recoil , you move your body quickly away from it because it frightens, offends, or hurts you. □ [V ] For a moment I thought he was going to kiss me. I recoiled in horror. □ [V + from ] We are attracted by nice smells and recoil from nasty ones. ● N‑UNCOUNT Recoil is also a noun. □ …his small body jerking in recoil from the volume of his shouting.
2 VERB If you recoil from doing something or recoil at the idea of something, you refuse to do it or accept it because you dislike it so much. □ [V + from ] People used to recoil from the idea of getting into debt. □ [V + at ] She recoiled at the number of young girls who came forward.
rec|ol|lect /re kəle kt/ (recollects , recollecting , recollected ) VERB If you recollect something, you remember it. □ [V n] Ramona spoke with warmth when she recollected the doctor who used to be at the county hospital. □ [V that] His efforts, she recollected many years later, were distinctly half-hearted. [Also V ]
rec|ol|lec|tion /re kəle kʃ ə n/ (recollections ) N‑VAR If you have a recollection of something, you remember it. □ [+ of ] Pat has vivid recollections of the trip. □ [+ of ] He had no recollection of the crash.
re|com|mence /riː kəme ns/ (recommences , recommencing , recommenced ) VERB If you recommence something or if it recommences , it begins again after having stopped. [WRITTEN ] □ [V n] He recommenced work on his novel. □ [V ] His course at Sheffield University will not recommence until next year.
rec|om|mend ◆◆◇ /re kəme nd/ (recommends , recommending , recommended )
1 VERB If someone recommends a person or thing to you, they suggest that you would find that person or thing good or useful. □ [V n + to/for ] I have just spent a holiday there and would recommend it to anyone. □ [V n + for/as ] 'You're a good worker, boy,' he told him. 'I'll recommend you for a promotion.'. □ [V n] Ask your doctor to recommend a suitable therapist. [Also V n + as ] ● rec|om|mend|ed ADJ □ Though ten years old, this book is highly recommended.
2 VERB If you recommend that something is done, you suggest that it should be done. □ [V that] The judge recommended that he serve 20 years in prison. □ [V n/v-ing] We strongly recommend reporting the incident to the police. □ [V -ed] The recommended daily dose is 12 to 24 grams. □ [V + against ] Many financial planners now recommend against ever fully paying off your home loan. [Also V n to-inf]
3 VERB If something or someone has a particular quality to recommend them, that quality makes them attractive or gives them an advantage over similar things or people. □ [V n] The restaurant has much to recommend it. □ [V n + to ] These qualities recommended him to Olivier. USAGE recommend
Don’t say that you ‘recommend someone’ an action. Don’t say, for example, ‘
I recommend you a visit to Paris
’. Say ‘I recommend a visit
to Paris’, ‘I recommend visiting
Paris’, or ‘I recommend that you visit
Paris’. □
We recommend that you pay
in advance.
SYNONYMS
recommend
VERB
1
advocate: Mr Williams is a conservative who advocates fewer government controls on business.
suggest: I suggest you ask him some specific questions about his past.
propose: Britain is about to propose changes to some institutions.
advise: would strongly advise against it.
rec|om|men|da|tion ◆◇◇ /re kəmende I ʃ ə n/ (recommendations )
1 N‑VAR [oft with poss] The recommendations of a person or a committee are their suggestions or advice on what is the best thing to do. □ The committee's recommendations are unlikely to be made public. □ [+ of ] The decision was made on the recommendation of the Interior Minister.
2 N‑VAR A recommendation of something is the suggestion that someone should have or use it because it is good. □ The best way of finding a solicitor is through personal recommendation. SYNONYMS recommendation NOUN 1
advice: Take my advice and stay away from him!
proposal: The President is to put forward new proposals for resolving the country's constitutional crisis.
suggestion: I have lots of suggestions for the park's future.
rec|om|pense /re kəmpens/ (recompenses , recompensing , recompensed )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [in N ] If you are given something, usually money, in recompense , you are given it as a reward or because you have suffered. [FORMAL ] □ [+ for ] He demands no financial recompense for his troubles. □ Substantial damages were paid in recompense.
2 VERB If you recompense someone for their efforts or their loss, you give them something, usually money, as a payment or reward. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + for ] The fees offered by the health service do not recompense dental surgeons for their professional time.
rec|on|cile /re kənsa I l/ (reconciles , reconciling , reconciled )
1 VERB If you reconcile two beliefs, facts, or demands that seem to be opposed or completely different, you find a way in which they can both be true or both be successful. □ [V n] It's difficult to reconcile the demands of my job and the desire to be a good father. □ [V n + with ] She struggles to reconcile the demands and dangers of her work with her role as a mother and wife.
2 V-PASSIVE If you are reconciled with someone, you become friendly with them again after a quarrel or disagreement. □ [be V -ed] He never believed he and Susan would be reconciled. □ [be V -ed + with ] Devlin was reconciled with the Catholic Church in his last few days.
3 VERB If you reconcile two people, you make them become friends again after a quarrel or disagreement. □ [V n + with ] …my attempt to reconcile him with Toby.
4 VERB If you reconcile yourself to an unpleasant situation, you accept it, although it does not make you happy to do so. □ [V pron-refl + to ] She had reconciled herself to never seeing him again. ● rec|on|ciled ADJ □ [+ to ] She felt a little more reconciled to her lot.
rec|on|cilia|tion /re kəns I lie I ʃ ə n/ (reconciliations )
1 N‑VAR Reconciliation between two people or countries who have quarrelled is the process of their becoming friends again. A reconciliation is an instance of this. □ [+ between ] The film offers little hope of reconciliation between both sides. [Also + with/of ]
2 N‑SING The reconciliation of two beliefs, facts, or demands that seem to be opposed is the process of finding a way in which they can both be true or both be successful. □ [+ of ] …the ideal of democracy based upon a reconciliation of the values of equality and liberty. [Also + with/between ]
re|con|dite /r I kɒ nda I t, re kən-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Recondite areas of knowledge or learning are difficult to understand, and not many people know about them. [FORMAL ] □ Her poems are modishly experimental in style and recondite in subject-matter.
re|con|di|tion /riː kənd I ʃ ə n/ (reconditions , reconditioning , reconditioned ) VERB To recondition a machine or piece of equipment means to repair or replace all the parts that are damaged or broken. □ [V n] He made contact with someone with an idea for reconditioning laser copiers. □ [V -ed] They sell used and reconditioned motorcycle parts.
re|con|fig|ure /riː kənf I gə, [AM ] -f I gjər/ (reconfigures , reconfiguring , reconfigured ) VERB If you reconfigure a system, device, or computer application, you rearrange its elements or settings. [COMPUTING ] □ It should be simple to reconfigure the mail servers.
re|con|firm /riː kənfɜː r m/ (reconfirms , reconfirming , reconfirmed ) VERB Reconfirm means the same as confirm .
re|con|nais|sance /r I kɒ n I səns/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Reconnaissance is the activity of obtaining military information about a place by sending soldiers or planes there, or by the use of satellites. □ The helicopter was returning from a reconnaissance mission.
re|con|nect /riː kəne kt/ (reconnects , reconnecting , reconnected ) VERB If a company reconnects your electricity, water, gas, or phone after it has been stopped, they provide you with it once again. □ [V n] They charge a £66.10 fee for reconnecting cut-off customers.
rec|on|noi|tre /re kənɔ I tə r / (reconnoitres , reconnoitring , reconnoitred ) in AM, use reconnoiter VERB To reconnoitre an area means to obtain information about its geographical features or about the size and position of an army there. □ [V n] He was sent to Eritrea to reconnoitre the enemy position. □ [V ] I left a sergeant in command and rode forward to reconnoitre.
re|con|quer /riːkɒ ŋkə r / (reconquers , reconquering , reconquered ) VERB If an army reconquers a country or territory after having lost it, they win control over it again. □ [V n] A crusade left Europe in an attempt to reconquer the Holy City.
re|con|sid|er /riː kəns I də r / (reconsiders , reconsidering , reconsidered ) VERB If you reconsider a decision or opinion, you think about it and try to decide whether it should be changed. □ [V n] We want you to reconsider your decision to resign from the board. □ [V ] If at the end of two years you still feel the same, we will reconsider. ● re|con|sid|era|tion /riː kəns I dəre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The report urges reconsideration of the decision.
re|con|sti|tute /riː kɒ nst I tjuːt, [AM ] -tuːt/ (reconstitutes , reconstituting , reconstituted )
1 VERB [usu passive] If an organization or state is reconstituted , it is formed again in a different way. □ [be V -ed] What had been King's College, Durham was reconstituted to become the University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
2 VERB To reconstitute dried food means to add water to it so that it can be eaten. □ [V n] To reconstitute dried tomatoes, simmer in plain water until they are tender. □ [V -ed] Try eating reconstituted dried prunes, figs or apricots.
re|con|struct /riː kənstrʌ kt/ (reconstructs , reconstructing , reconstructed )
1 VERB If you reconstruct something that has been destroyed or badly damaged, you build it and make it work again. □ [V n] The government must reconstruct the shattered economy. □ [be V -ed] Although this part of Normandy was badly bombed, it has been completely reconstructed.
2 VERB To reconstruct a system or policy means to change it so that it works in a different way. □ [V n] She actually wanted to reconstruct the state and transform society.
3 VERB If you reconstruct an event that happened in the past, you try to get a complete understanding of it by combining a lot of small pieces of information. □ [V n] He began to reconstruct the events of 21 December 1988, when flight 103 disappeared. □ [V wh] Elaborate efforts were made to reconstruct what had happened.
re|con|struc|tion /riː kənstrʌ kʃ ə n/ (reconstructions )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Reconstruction is the process of making a country normal again after a war, for example by making the economy stronger and by replacing buildings that have been damaged. □ [+ of ] …America's part in the post-war reconstruction of Germany.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The reconstruction of a building, structure, or road is the activity of building it again, because it has been damaged. □ [+ of ] Work began on the reconstruction of the road.
3 N‑COUNT The reconstruction of a crime or event is when people try to understand or show exactly what happened, often by acting it out. □ [+ of ] Mrs Kerr was too upset to take part in a reconstruction of her ordeal.
re|con|struc|tive /riː kənstrʌ kt I v/ ADJ [ADJ n] Reconstructive surgery or treatment involves rebuilding a part of someone's body because it has been badly damaged, or because the person wants to change its shape. □ I needed reconstructive surgery to give me a new nose.
re|con|vene /riː kənviː n/ (reconvenes , reconvening , reconvened ) VERB If a parliament, court, or conference reconvenes or if someone reconvenes it, it meets again after a break. □ [V ] The conference might reconvene after its opening session. □ [V n] It was certainly serious enough for him to reconvene Parliament.
rec|ord ◆◆◆ (records , recording , recorded ) The noun is pronounced /re kɔː r d, [AM ] -kərd/. The verb is pronounced /r I kɔː r d/. 1 N‑COUNT If you keep a record of something, you keep a written account or photographs of it so that it can be referred to later. □ [+ of ] Keep a record of all the payments. □ There's no record of them having any children. □ The result will go on your medical records.
2 VERB If you record a piece of information or an event, you write it down, photograph it, or put it into a computer so that in the future people can refer to it. □ [V n] …software packages which record the details of your photographs. □ [V -ed] …a place which has rarely suffered a famine in its recorded history.
3 VERB If you record something such as a speech or performance, you put it on tape or film so that it can be heard or seen again later. □ [V n] There is nothing to stop viewers recording the films at home. □ [V -ed] The call was answered by a recorded message saying the company had closed early.
4 VERB If a musician or performer records a piece of music or a television or radio show, they perform it so that it can be put online or onto CD or film. □ [V n] It took the musicians two and a half days to record their soundtrack for the film.
5 N‑COUNT A record is a round, flat piece of black plastic on which sound, especially music, is stored, and which can be played on a record player. You can also refer to the music stored on this piece of plastic as a record . □ This is one of my favourite records.
6 VERB If a dial or other measuring device records a certain measurement or value, it shows that measurement or value. □ [V n] The test records the electrical activity of the brain.
7 N‑COUNT A record is the best result that has ever been achieved in a particular sport or activity, for example the fastest time, the furthest distance, or the greatest number of victories. □ [+ of ] He set the world record of 12.92 seconds. □ …the 800 metres, where she is the world record holder.
8 ADJ [ADJ n] You use record to say that something is higher, lower, better, or worse than has ever been achieved before. □ Profits were at record levels. □ She won the race in record time.
9 N‑COUNT Someone's record is the facts that are known about their achievements or character. □ His record reveals a tough streak.
10 N‑COUNT If someone has a criminal record , it is officially known that they have committed crimes in the past. □ …a heroin addict with a criminal record going back 15 years.
11 → see also recording , track record
12 PHRASE If you say that what you are going to say next is for the record , you mean that you are saying it publicly and officially and you want it to be written down and remembered. □ We're willing to state for the record that it has enormous value.
13 PHRASE If you give some information for the record , you give it in case people might find it useful at a later time, although it is not a very important part of what you are talking about. □ For the record, most Moscow girls leave school at about 18.
14 PHRASE If something that you say is off the record , you do not intend it to be considered as official, or published with your name attached to it. □ May I speak off the record?
15 PHRASE If you are on record as saying something, you have said it publicly and officially and it has been written down. □ The Chancellor is on record as saying that the increase in unemployment is 'a price worth paying' to keep inflation down.
16 PHRASE If you keep information on record , you write it down or store it in a computer so that it can be used later. □ The practice is to keep on record any analysis of samples.
17 PHRASE If something is the best, worst, or biggest on record , it is the best, worst, or biggest thing of its kind that has been noticed and written down. □ It's the shortest election campaign on record.
18 PHRASE If you set the record straight or put the record straight , you show that something which has been regarded as true is in fact not true. □ Let me set the record straight on the misconceptions contained in your article.
re cord-breaker (record-breakers ) also record breaker N‑COUNT A record-breaker is someone or something that beats the previous best result in a sport or other activity. □ The movie became a box-office record breaker.
re cord-breaking ADJ [ADJ n] A record-breaking success, result, or performance is one that beats the previous best success, result, or performance. □ Australia's rugby union side enjoyed a record-breaking win over France.
rec|o rd|ed de|li v|ery N‑UNCOUNT If you send a letter or parcel recorded delivery , you send it using a Post Office service which gives you an official record of the fact that it has been posted and delivered. [BRIT ] □ Use recorded delivery for large cheques or money orders. in AM, usually use registered mail
re|cord|er /r I kɔː r də r / (recorders )
1 N‑VAR A recorder is a wooden or plastic musical instrument in the shape of a pipe. You play the recorder by blowing into the top of it and covering and uncovering the holes with your fingers.
2 N‑COUNT A recorder is a machine or instrument that keeps a record of something, for example in an experiment or on a vehicle. □ Data recorders also pin-point mechanical faults rapidly, reducing repair times.
3 N‑COUNT In the past, you could refer to a cassette recorder, a tape recorder, or a video recorder as a recorder . □ Rodney put the recorder on the desk top and pushed the play button.
4 → see also flight recorder
re c|ord hold|er (record holders ) N‑COUNT The record holder in a particular sport or activity is the person or team that holds the record for doing it fastest or best. □ [+ for ] …the British record holder for the 200m backstroke.
re|cord|ing ◆◇◇ /r I kɔː r d I ŋ/ (recordings )
1 N‑COUNT A recording of something is a record, CD, tape, or video of it. □ [+ of ] …a video recording of a police interview.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Recording is the process of making records, CDs, tapes, or videos. □ …the recording industry.
re c|ord play|er (record players ) also record-player N‑COUNT A record player is a machine on which you can play a record in order to listen to the music or other sounds on it.
re|count (recounts , recounting , recounted ) The verb is pronounced /r I kaʊ nt/. The noun is pronounced /riː kaʊnt/. 1 VERB If you recount a story or event, you tell or describe it to people. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He then recounted the story of the interview for his first job. □ [V wh] He recounted how heavily armed soldiers forced him from the presidential palace. [Also V that]
2 N‑COUNT A recount is a second count of votes in an election when the result is very close. □ She wanted a recount. She couldn't believe that I had got more votes than her.
re|coup /r I kuː p/ (recoups , recouping , recouped ) VERB If you recoup a sum of money that you have spent or lost, you get it back. □ [V n] Insurance companies are trying to recoup their losses by increasing premiums.
re|course /r I kɔː r s/ N‑UNCOUNT If you achieve something without recourse to a particular course of action, you succeed without carrying out that action. To have recourse to a particular course of action means to have to do that action in order to achieve something. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] It enabled its members to settle their differences without recourse to war.
re|cov|er ◆◇◇ /r I kʌ və r / (recovers , recovering , recovered )
1 VERB When you recover from an illness or an injury, you become well again. □ [V + from ] He is recovering from a knee injury. □ [V ] A policeman was recovering in hospital last night after being stabbed.
2 VERB If you recover from an unhappy or unpleasant experience, you stop being upset by it. □ [V + from ] …a tragedy from which he never fully recovered. □ [V ] There was no time to recover from the defeat.
3 VERB If something recovers from a period of weakness or difficulty, it improves or gets stronger again. □ [V + from ] He recovered from a 4-2 deficit to reach the quarter-finals. □ [V ] The stockmarket index fell by 80% before it began to recover.
4 VERB If you recover something that has been lost or stolen, you find it or get it back. □ [V n] Police raided five houses in south-east London and recovered stolen goods.
5 VERB If you recover a mental or physical state, it comes back again. For example, if you recover consciousness, you become conscious again. □ [V n] She had a severe attack of asthma and it took an hour to recover her breath.
6 VERB If you recover money that you have spent, invested, or lent to someone, you get the same amount back. □ [V n] Legal action is being taken to try to recover the money.
re|cov|er|able /r I kʌ vərəb ə l/ ADJ If something is recoverable , it is possible for you to get it back. □ If you decide not to buy, the money you have spent on the survey is not recoverable.
re|cov|ery ◆◇◇ /r I kʌ vəri/ (recoveries )
1 N‑VAR If a sick person makes a recovery , he or she becomes well again. □ [+ from ] He made a remarkable recovery from a shin injury.
2 N‑VAR When there is a recovery in a country's economy, it improves. □ Interest-rate cuts have failed to bring about economic recovery.
3 N‑UNCOUNT You talk about the recovery of something when you get it back after it has been lost or stolen. □ [+ of ] A substantial reward is being offered for the recovery of a painting by Turner.
4 N‑UNCOUNT You talk about the recovery of someone's physical or mental state when they return to this state. □ [+ of ] …the abrupt loss and recovery of consciousness.
5 PHRASE If someone is in recovery , they are being given a course of treatment to help them recover from something such as a drug habit or mental illness. □ …Carole, an addict in recovery. COLLOCATIONS recovery NOUN
1
adjective + recovery : full, remarkable, speedy, slow
2
adjective + recovery : economic, global, strong, sustained
noun + recovery : market
re|cre|ate /riː krie I t/ (recreates , recreating , recreated ) VERB If you recreate something, you succeed in making it exist or seem to exist in a different time or place to its original time or place. □ [V n] I am trying to recreate family life far from home.
rec|rea|tion (recreations ) Pronounced /re krie I ʃ ə n/ for meaning 1 . Pronounced /riː krie I ʃ ə n/ and hyphenated re+crea+tion for meaning 2 . 1 N‑VAR Recreation consists of things that you do in your spare time to relax. □ Saturday afternoon is for recreation and outings.
2 N‑COUNT A recreation of something is the process of making it exist or seem to exist again in a different time or place. □ [+ of ] This show from Scorsese and Mick Jagger is a stunning recreation of 1970s New York.
rec|rea|tion|al /re krie I ʃən ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Recreational means relating to things people do in their spare time to relax. □ …parks and other recreational facilities. □ …the recreational use of the countryside.
re c|rea |tion|al dru g (recreational drugs ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] Recreational drugs are drugs that people take occasionally for enjoyment, especially when they are spending time socially with other people. □ Society largely turns a blind eye to recreational drug use. □ …recreational drugs, such as marijuana.
rec|rea |tion|al ve |hi|cle (recreational vehicles ) N‑COUNT A recreational vehicle is a large vehicle that you can live in. The abbreviation RV is also used. [mainly AM ]
re|crimi|na|tion /r I kr I m I ne I ʃ ə n/ (recriminations ) N‑VAR Recriminations are accusations that two people or groups make about each other. □ The bitter rows and recriminations have finally ended the relationship.
re|cruit ◆◇◇ /r I kruː t/ (recruits , recruiting , recruited )
1 VERB If you recruit people for an organization, you select them and persuade them to join it or work for it. □ [V n] The police are trying to recruit more black and Asian officers. □ [V n + to/for ] In recruiting students to Computer Systems Engineering, the University looks for evidence of all-round ability. □ [V n to-inf] The museum is now hoping to recruit volunteers to help with its running. ● re|cruit|er (recruiters ) N‑COUNT □ …a Marine recruiter. ● re|cruit|ing N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] □ A bomb exploded at an army recruiting office.
2 N‑COUNT A recruit is a person who has recently joined an organization or an army.
re|cruit|ment /r I kruː tmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT The recruitment of workers, soldiers, or members is the act or process of selecting them for an organization or army and persuading them to join. □ [+ of ] …the examination system for the recruitment of civil servants.
re|crui t|ment con|su lt|ant (recruitment consultants ) N‑COUNT A recruitment consultant is a person or service that helps professional people to find work by introducing them to potential employers. [BUSINESS ]
rec|tal /re ktəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] Rectal means relating to the rectum. [MEDICAL ] □ …rectal cancer.
rec|tan|gle /re ktæŋg ə l/ (rectangles ) N‑COUNT A rectangle is a four-sided shape whose corners are all ninety degree angles. Each side of a rectangle is the same length as the one opposite to it.
rec|tan|gu|lar /rektæ ŋgjʊlə r / ADJ Something that is rectangular is shaped like a rectangle. □ …a rectangular table.
rec|ti|fi|ca|tion /re kt I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT The rectification of something that is wrong is the act of changing it to make it correct or satisfactory. □ [+ of ] …the rectification of an injustice.
rec|ti|fy /re kt I fa I / (rectifies , rectifying , rectified ) VERB If you rectify something that is wrong, you change it so that it becomes correct or satisfactory. □ [V n] Only an act of Congress could rectify the situation.
rec|ti|tude /re kt I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/ N‑UNCOUNT Rectitude is a quality or attitude that is shown by people who behave honestly and morally according to accepted standards. [FORMAL ] □ …people of the utmost moral rectitude.
rec|tor /re ktə r / (rectors ) N‑COUNT A rector is a priest in the Church of England who is in charge of a particular area.
rec|tory /re ktəri/ (rectories ) N‑COUNT A rectory is a house in which a Church of England rector and his family live.
rec|tum /re ktəm/ (rectums ) N‑COUNT Someone's rectum is the bottom end of the tube down which waste food passes out of their body. [MEDICAL ]
re|cum|bent /r I kʌ mbənt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A recumbent figure or person is lying down. [FORMAL ] □ He looked down at the recumbent figure.
re|cu|per|ate /r I kuː pəre I t/ (recuperates , recuperating , recuperated ) VERB When you recuperate , you recover your health or strength after you have been ill or injured. □ [V ] I went away to the country to recuperate. □ [V + from ] He is recuperating from a serious back injury. ● re|cu|pera|tion /r I kuː pəre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Leonard was very pleased with his powers of recuperation.
re|cu|pera|tive /r I kuː pərət I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is recuperative helps you to recover your health and strength after an illness or injury. □ Human beings have great recuperative powers.
re|cur /r I kɜː r / (recurs , recurring , recurred ) VERB If something recurs , it happens more than once. □ [V ] …a theme that was to recur frequently in his work. □ [V -ing] …a recurring nightmare she has had since childhood.
re|cur|rence /r I kʌ rəns, [AM ] -kɜː r-/ (recurrences ) N‑VAR If there is a recurrence of something, it happens again. □ [+ of ] Police are out in force to prevent a recurrence of the violence.
re|cur|rent /r I kʌ rənt, [AM ] -kɜː r-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A recurrent event or feeling happens or is experienced more than once. □ Race is a recurrent theme in the work.
re|cy|clable /riːsa I kələb ə l/ ADJ Recyclable waste or materials can be processed and used again. □ …a separate bin for recyclable waste products.
re|cy|cle /riː sa I k ə l/ (recycles , recycling , recycled ) VERB If you recycle things that have already been used, such as bottles or sheets of paper, you process them so that they can be used again. □ [V n] The objective would be to recycle 98 per cent of domestic waste. □ [V -ed] It is printed on recycled paper. ● re|cy|cling N‑UNCOUNT □ …a recycling scheme.
red ◆◆◆ /re d/ (reds , redder , reddest )
1 COLOUR Something that is red is the colour of blood or fire. □ …a bunch of red roses.
2 ADJ If you say that someone's face is red , you mean that it is redder than its normal colour, because they are embarrassed, angry, or out of breath. □ With a bright red face I was forced to admit that I had no real idea.
3 ADJ You describe someone's hair as red when it is between red and brown in colour. □ …a girl with red hair.
4 N‑VAR You can refer to red wine as red . □ The spicy flavours in these dishes call for reds rather than whites.
5 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a red or a Red , you disapprove of the fact that they are a communist, a socialist, or have left-wing ideas. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
6 PHRASE If a person or company is in the red or if their bank account is in the red , they have spent more money than they have in their account and therefore they owe money to the bank. □ The theatre is £500,000 in the red.
7 PHRASE If you see red , you suddenly become very angry. □ I didn't mean to break his nose. I just saw red.
8 like a red rag to a bull → see rag
re d ale rt (red alerts ) N‑VAR If a hospital, a police force, or a military force is on red alert , they have been warned that there may be an emergency, so they can be ready to deal with it. □ All the Plymouth hospitals are on red alert.
re d-bloo ded ADJ [ADJ n] If a man is described as red-blooded , he is considered to be strong and healthy and have a strong interest in sex. [INFORMAL ] □ Hers is a body which every red-blooded male cannot fail to have noticed.
red|brick /re dbr I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] In Britain, a redbrick university is one of the universities that were established in large cities outside London in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as opposed to much older universities such as Oxford and Cambridge.
re d ca b|bage (red cabbages ) N‑VAR A red cabbage is a cabbage with dark red leaves.
re d ca rd (red cards ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] In football or rugby, if a player is shown the red card , the referee holds up a red card to indicate that the player must leave the pitch for breaking the rules.
re d ca r|pet (red carpets ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The red carpet is special treatment given to an important or honoured guest, for example the laying of a strip of red carpet for them to walk on. □ We'll give her some VIP treatment and roll out the red carpet.
Re d Cre s|cent N‑PROPER The Red Crescent is an organization in Muslim countries that helps people who are suffering, for example as a result of war, floods, or disease.
Re d Cro ss N‑PROPER The Red Cross is an international organization that helps people who are suffering, for example as a result of war, floods, or disease.
red|cur|rant /re dkʌ rənt, [AM ] -kɜː r-/ (redcurrants ) N‑COUNT Redcurrants are very small, bright red berries that grow in bunches on a bush and can be eaten as a fruit or cooked to make a sauce for meat. The bush on which they grow can also be called a redcurrant . [BRIT ]
red|den /re d ə n/ (reddens , reddening , reddened ) VERB If someone reddens or their face reddens , their face turns pink or red, often because they are embarrassed or angry. [WRITTEN ] □ [V ] He was working himself up to a fury, his face reddening.
red|dish /re d I ʃ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Reddish means slightly red in colour. □ He had reddish brown hair.
re|deco|rate /riː de kəre I t/ (redecorates , redecorating , redecorated ) VERB If you redecorate a room or a building, you put new paint or wallpaper on it. □ [V n] Americans redecorate their houses and offices every few years. □ [V ] Our children have left home, and we now want to redecorate. ● re|deco|ra|tion /riː de kəre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ The house is in desperate need of redecoration.
re|deem /r I diː m/ (redeems , redeeming , redeemed )
1 VERB If you redeem yourself or your reputation, you do something that makes people have a good opinion of you again after you have behaved or performed badly. □ [V n] He had realized the mistake he had made and wanted to redeem himself. □ [V -ing] The sole redeeming feature of your behaviour is that you're not denying it.
2 VERB When something redeems an unpleasant thing or situation, it prevents it from being completely bad. □ [V n] Work is the way that people seek to redeem their lives from futility. □ [V -ing] Does this institution have any redeeming features?
3 VERB If you redeem a debt or money that you have promised to someone, you pay money that you owe or that you promised to pay. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The amount required to redeem the mortgage was £358,587.
4 VERB If you redeem an object that belongs to you, you get it back from someone by repaying them money that you borrowed from them, after using the object as a guarantee. □ [V n] Make sure you know exactly what you will be paying back when you plan to redeem the item.
5 VERB In religions such as Christianity, to redeem someone means to save them by freeing them from sin and evil. □ [V n] …a new female spiritual force to redeem the world.
re|deem|able /r I diː məb ə l/ ADJ If something is redeemable , it can be exchanged for a particular sum of money or for goods worth a particular sum. □ [+ against ] Their full catalogue costs $5, redeemable against a first order. [Also + for ]
Re|deem|er /r I diː mə r / N‑PROPER In the Christian religion, the Redeemer is Jesus Christ.
re|de|fine /riː d I fa I n/ (redefines , redefining , redefined ) VERB If you redefine something, you cause people to consider it in a new way. □ [V n] Feminists have redefined the role of women.
re|defi|ni|tion /riː def I n I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT The redefinition of something is the act or process of causing people to consider it in a new way. □ [+ of ] …the redefinition of the role of the intellectual.
re|demp|tion /r I de mpʃ ə n/ (redemptions )
1 N‑VAR Redemption is the act of redeeming something or of being redeemed by something. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …redemption of the loan. □ …regional differences in the frequency of cash redemptions and quota payment.
2 PHRASE If you say that someone or something is beyond redemption , you mean that they are so bad it is unlikely that anything can be done to improve them. □ No man is beyond redemption.
re|demp|tive /r I de mpt I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] In Christianity, a redemptive act or quality is something which leads to freedom from the consequences of sin and evil. □ …the redemptive power of Christ.
re|deploy /riː d I plɔ I / (redeploys , redeploying , redeployed )
1 VERB If forces are redeployed or if they redeploy , they go to new positions so that they are ready for action. □ [V n] We were forced urgently to redeploy our forces. □ [V ] U.S. troops are redeploying to positions held earlier.
2 VERB If resources or workers are redeployed , they are used for a different purpose or task. □ [be V -ed] Some of the workers there will be redeployed to other sites. □ [V n] It would give us an opportunity to redeploy our resources.
re|deploy|ment /riː d I plɔ I mənt/ (redeployments ) N‑VAR The redeployment of forces, troops, workers, or resources involves putting them in a different place from where they were before, or using them for a different task or purpose. □ [+ of ] …a redeployment of troops in the border areas.
re|design /riː d I za I n/ (redesigns , redesigning , redesigned ) VERB If a building, vehicle, or system is redesigned , it is rebuilt according to a new design in order to improve it. □ [be V -ed] The hotel has recently been redesigned and redecorated. □ [V n] The second step is to redesign the school system so that it produces a well-educated population.
re|devel|op /riː d I ve ləp/ (redevelops , redeveloping , redeveloped ) VERB When an area is redeveloped , existing buildings and roads are removed and new ones are built in their place. □ [be V -ed] Birmingham is now going to be redeveloped again.
re|devel|op|ment /riː d I ve ləpmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT When redevelopment takes place, the buildings in one area of a town are knocked down and new ones are built in their place.
re d-eye (red-eyes ) The spelling redeye is also used in meaning 2 . 1 N‑COUNT A red-eye or a red-eye flight is a plane journey during the night. [INFORMAL ] □ She was running to catch a red-eye to New York.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] In photography, redeye is the unwanted effect that you sometimes get in photographs of people or animals where their eyes appear red because of the reflection of a camera flash or other light. □ The camera incorporates a redeye reduction facility.
re d-fa ced ADJ A red-faced person has a face that looks red, often because they are embarrassed or angry. □ A red-faced Mr Jones was led away by police.
re d fla g (red flags )
1 N‑COUNT A red flag is a flag that is red in colour and is used to indicate danger or as a sign that you should stop. □ Then the rain came and the red flag went up to signal a halt.
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to something as a red flag , you mean that it acts as a danger signal. □ The abnormal bleeding is your body's own red flag of danger.
re d-ha nded PHRASE If someone is caught red-handed , they are caught while they are in the act of doing something wrong. □ My boyfriend and I robbed a store and were caught red-handed.
red|head /re dhed/ (redheads ) N‑COUNT A redhead is person, especially a woman, whose hair is a colour that is between red and brown.
re d-hea ded also redheaded ADJ [usu ADJ n] A red-headed person is a person whose hair is between red and brown in colour.
re d he r|ring (red herrings ) N‑COUNT If you say that something is a red herring , you mean that it is not important and it takes your attention away from the main subject or problem you are considering. □ As Dr Smith left he said that the inquiry was something of a red herring.
re d-ho t
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Red-hot metal or rock has been heated to such a high temperature that it has turned red. □ …red-hot iron.
2 ADJ A red-hot object is too hot to be touched safely. □ In the main rooms red-hot radiators were left exposed.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Red-hot is used to describe a person or thing that is very popular, especially someone who is very good at what they do or something that is new and exciting. [JOURNALISM ] □ Some traders are already stacking the red-hot book on their shelves.
Re d I n|dian (Red Indians ) N‑COUNT Native Americans who were living in North America when Europeans arrived there used to be called Red Indians . [OFFENSIVE , OLD-FASHIONED ]
re|di|rect /riː d I re kt, -da I -/ (redirects , redirecting , redirected )
1 VERB If you redirect your energy, resources, or ability, you begin doing something different or trying to achieve something different. □ [V n] Controls were used to redistribute or redirect resources. ● re|di|rec|tion /riː d I re kʃ ə n, -da I -/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] □ [+ of ] A redirection of resources would be required.
2 VERB If you redirect someone or something, you change their course or destination. □ [V n] She redirected them to the men's department.
re|dis|cov|er /riː d I skʌ və r / (rediscovers , rediscovering , rediscovered ) VERB If you rediscover something good or valuable that you had forgotten or lost, you become aware of it again or find it again. □ [V n] …a one-time rebel who had rediscovered his faith.
re|dis|cov|ery /riː d I skʌ vəri/ (rediscoveries ) N‑VAR The rediscovery of something good that you had forgotten or lost is the fact or process of becoming aware of it again or finding it again. □ [+ of ] …the rediscovery of his natural passion for making things.
re|dis|trib|ute /riː d I str I bjuːt/ (redistributes , redistributing , redistributed ) VERB If something such as money or property is redistributed , it is shared among people or organizations in a different way from the way that it was previously shared. □ [be V -ed] Wealth was redistributed more equitably among society. □ [V n] Taxes could be used to redistribute income. ● re|dis|tri|bu|tion /riː d I str I bjuː ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …redistribution of income so that the better off can help to keep the worse off out of poverty.
re d-le tter day (red-letter days ) N‑COUNT A red-letter day is a day that you will always remember because something good happens to you then.
re d li ght (red lights )
1 N‑COUNT A red light is a traffic signal which shines red to indicate that drivers must stop.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] The red-light district of a city is the area where prostitutes work.
re d mea t (red meats ) N‑VAR Red meat is meat such as beef or lamb, which is dark brown in colour after it has been cooked.
red|neck /re dnek/ (rednecks ) N‑COUNT If someone describes a white man, especially a lower class American from the countryside, as a redneck , they disapprove of him because they think he is uneducated and has strong, unreasonable opinions. [mainly AM , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ A large Texan redneck was shouting obscenities at Ali.
red|ness /re dnəs/ N‑UNCOUNT Redness is the quality of being red. □ Slowly the redness left Sophie's face.
redo /riː duː / (redoes , redoing , redid , redone ) VERB If you redo a piece of work, you do it again in order to improve it or change it. □ [V n] They had redone their sums.
redo|lent /re dələnt/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something is redolent of something else, it has features that make you think of that other thing. [LITERARY ] □ [+ of ] …percussion instruments, redolent of Far Eastern cultures.
re|dou|ble /riː dʌ b ə l/ (redoubles , redoubling , redoubled ) VERB If you redouble your efforts, you try much harder to achieve something. If something redoubles , it increases in volume or intensity. □ [V n] The two nations redoubled their efforts to negotiate a trade agreement. □ [V ] The applause redoubled.
re|doubt /r I daʊ t/ (redoubts ) N‑COUNT A redoubt is a place or situation in which someone feels safe because they know that nobody can attack them or spoil their peace. [LITERARY ] □ …the last redoubt of hippy culture.
re|doubt|able /r I daʊ təb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as redoubtable , you respect them because they have a very strong character, even though you are slightly afraid of them. □ He is a redoubtable fighter.
re|dound /r I daʊ nd/ (redounds , redounding , redounded ) VERB If an action or situation redounds to your benefit or advantage, it gives people a good impression of you or brings you something that can improve your situation. □ [V + to ] The success in the Middle East redounds to his benefit.
re d pe p|per (red peppers )
1 N‑VAR Red peppers are peppers which are sweet-tasting and can be used in cooking or eaten raw in salads.
2 N‑VAR Red pepper is a hot-tasting spicy powder made from the flesh and seeds of small, dried, red peppers. It is used for flavouring food.
re|draft /riː drɑː ft, -dræ ft/ (redrafts , redrafting , redrafted ) VERB If you redraft something you have written, you write it again in order to improve it or change it. □ [be V -ed] The speech had already been redrafted 22 times.
re|draw /riː drɔː / (redraws , redrawing , redrew , redrawn )
1 VERB If people in a position of authority redraw the boundaries or borders of a country or region, they change the borders so that the country or region covers a slightly different area than before. □ [V n] They have redrawn the country's boundaries along ethnic lines.
2 VERB If people redraw something, for example an arrangement or plan, they change it because circumstances have changed. □ [V n] With both countries experiencing economic revolutions, it is time to redraw the traditional relationship.
re|dress /r I dre s/ (redresses , redressing , redressed ) The noun is also pronounced /riː dres/ in American English. 1 VERB If you redress something such as a wrong or a complaint, you do something to correct it or to improve things for the person who has been badly treated. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] More and more victims turn to litigation to redress wrongs done to them.
2 VERB If you redress the balance or the imbalance between two things that have become unfair or unequal, you make them fair and equal again. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] We're trying to redress the balance and show teachers that spoken and written language are equally important.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Redress is money that someone pays you because they have caused you harm or loss. [FORMAL ] □ They are continuing their legal battle to seek some redress from the government.
re d ta pe N‑UNCOUNT You refer to official rules and procedures as red tape when they seem unnecessary and cause delay. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The little money that was available was tied up in bureaucratic red tape.
re|duce ◆◆◇ /r I djuː s, [AM ] -duː s/ (reduces , reducing , reduced )
1 VERB If you reduce something, you make it smaller in size or amount, or less in degree. □ [V n] It reduces the risks of heart disease. □ [V -ed] The reduced consumer demand is also affecting company profits.
2 VERB [usu passive] If someone is reduced to a weaker or inferior state, they become weaker or inferior as a result of something that happens to them. □ [be V -ed + to ] They were reduced to extreme poverty.
3 VERB [usu passive] If you say that someone is reduced to doing something, you mean that they have to do it, although it is unpleasant or embarrassing. □ [be V -ed + to ] He was reduced to begging for a living.
4 VERB [usu passive] If something is changed to a different or less complicated form, you can say that it is reduced to that form. □ [be V -ed + to ] All the buildings in the town have been reduced to rubble.
5 VERB If you reduce liquid when you are cooking, or if it reduces , it is boiled in order to make it less in quantity and thicker. □ [V n] Boil the liquid in a small saucepan to reduce it by half. □ [V ] Simmer until mixture reduces.
6 PHRASE If someone or something reduces you to tears , they make you feel so unhappy that you cry. □ The attentions of the media reduced her to tears. COLLOCATIONS reduce VERB 1
reduce + noun : amount, cost, level, rate; crime, debt, deficit; chance, risk
reduce + adverb : drastically, sharply, significantly, substantially
re|duc|ible /r I djuː s I b ə l, [AM ] -duː s-/ ADJ If you say that an idea, problem, or situation is not reducible to something simple, you mean that it is complicated and cannot be described in a simple way. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] The structure of the universe may not be reducible to a problem in physics.
re|duc|tion ◆◇◇ /r I dʌ kʃ ə n/ (reductions )
1 N‑COUNT When there is a reduction in something, it is made smaller. □ [+ in ] …a future reduction in U.K. interest rates.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Reduction is the act of making something smaller in size or amount, or less in degree. □ …a new strategic arms reduction agreement. SYNONYMS reduction NOUN 1
decrease: …a decrease in the number of young people out of work.
cut: The economy needs an immediate 2 per cent cut in interest rates.
lowering: …a package of social measures which included the lowering of the retirement age.
re|duc|tion|ist /r I dʌ kʃən I st/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Reductionist describes a way of analysing problems and things by dividing them into simpler parts. □ …reductionist science.
re|duc|tive /r I dʌ kt I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something such as a theory or a work of art as reductive , you disapprove of it because it reduces complex things to simple elements. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a cynical, reductive interpretation.
re|dun|dan|cy /r I dʌ ndənsi/ (redundancies )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] When there are redundancies , an organization tells some of its employees to leave because their jobs are no longer necessary or because the organization can no longer afford to pay them. [BRIT , BUSINESS ] □ The ministry has said it hopes to avoid compulsory redundancies. in AM, use dismissal , layoff 2 N‑UNCOUNT Redundancy means being made redundant. [BUSINESS ] □ Thousands of bank employees are facing redundancy as their employers cut costs.
re|dun|dant /r I dʌ ndənt/
1 ADJ If you are made redundant , your employer tells you to leave because your job is no longer necessary or because your employer cannot afford to keep paying you. [BRIT , BUSINESS ] □ My husband was made redundant late last year. □ …a redundant miner. in AM, use be dismissed 2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Something that is redundant is no longer needed because its job is being done by something else or because its job is no longer necessary or useful. □ Changes in technology may mean that once-valued skills are now redundant.
re|dux /riː dʌks/ ADJ [ADJ n, n ADJ ] If a work of art is redux , it is presented in a new way. □ She first hit our screens in Besson's brilliantly preposterous Pygmalion redux.
red|wood /re dwʊd/ (redwoods ) N‑VAR A redwood is an extremely tall tree which grows in California. ● N‑UNCOUNT Redwood is the wood from this tree.
reed /riː d/ (reeds )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Reeds are tall plants that grow in large groups in shallow water or on ground that is always wet and soft. They have strong, hollow stems that can be used for making things such as mats or baskets.
2 N‑COUNT A reed is a small piece of cane or metal inserted into the mouthpiece of a woodwind instrument. The reed vibrates when you blow through it and makes a sound.
re -e ducate (re-educates , re-educating , re-educated ) in AM, also use reeducate VERB If an organization such as a government tries to re-educate a group of people, they try to make them adopt new attitudes, beliefs, or types of behaviour. □ [V n] The government should re-educate the public about the dangers of easy credit. ● re-education N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …a programme of punishment and re-education of political dissidents.
reedy /riː di/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that someone has a reedy voice, you think their voice is unpleasant because it is high and unclear. □ The big man had a high-pitched reedy voice.
reef /riː f/ (reefs ) N‑COUNT A reef is a long line of rocks or sand, the top of which is just above or just below the surface of the sea. □ An unspoilt coral reef encloses the bay.
reef|er /riː fə r / (reefers )
1 N‑COUNT A reefer or reefer coat is a short thick coat which is often worn by sailors. [BRIT ]
2 N‑COUNT A reefer is a cigarette containing cannabis or marijuana. [INFORMAL , OLD-FASHIONED ]
reek /riː k/ (reeks , reeking , reeked )
1 VERB To reek of something, usually something unpleasant, means to smell very strongly of it. □ [V + of ] He came home reeking of fish. □ [V ] The entire house reeked for a long time. ● N‑SING Reek is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the reek of bad drainage.
2 VERB If you say that something reeks of unpleasant ideas, feelings, or practices, you disapprove of it because it gives a strong impression that it involves those ideas, feelings, or practices. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + of ] The whole thing reeks of hypocrisy.
reel ◆◇◇ /riː l/ (reels , reeling , reeled )
1 N‑COUNT A reel is a cylindrical object around which you wrap something such as cinema film, magnetic tape, fishing line, or cotton thread. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ of ] …a 30m reel of cable. in AM, usually use spool 2 VERB If someone reels , they move about in an unsteady way as if they are going to fall. □ [V ] He was reeling a little. He must be very drunk. □ [V adv/prep] He lost his balance and reeled back.
3 VERB [usu cont] If you are reeling from a shock, you are feeling extremely surprised or upset because of it. □ [V + from ] I'm still reeling from the shock of hearing of it. □ [V prep] It left us reeling with disbelief.
4 VERB If you say that your brain or your mind is reeling , you mean that you are very confused because you have too many things to think about. □ [V + at ] His mind reeled at the question.
▸ reel in PHRASAL VERB If you reel in something such as a fish, you pull it towards you by winding around a reel the wire or line that it is attached to. □ [V P n] Gleacher reeled in the first fish. [Also V n P ]
▸ reel off PHRASAL VERB If you reel off information, you repeat it from memory quickly and easily. □ [V P n] She reeled off the titles of a dozen or so of the novels. [Also V n P ]
re -ele ct (re-elects , re-electing , re-elected ) in AM, also use reelect VERB When someone such as a politician or an official who has been elected is re-elected , they win another election and are therefore able to continue in their position as, for example, president or an official in an organization. □ [be V -ed] The president will pursue lower taxes if he is re-elected. □ [be V -ed n] He was re-elected president for a third successive term. □ [be V -ed + as ] He was overwhelmingly re-elected as party leader. ● re -ele ction N‑UNCOUNT □ I would like to see him stand for re-election.
re -ena ct (re-enacts , re-enacting , re-enacted ) also reenact VERB If you re-enact a scene or incident, you repeat the actions that occurred in the scene or incident. □ [V n] He re-enacted scenes from his TV series.
re -ena ctment (re-enactments ) N‑COUNT When a re-enactment of a scene or incident takes place, people re-enact it.
re-e nter (re-enters , re-entering , re-entered ) in AM, also use reenter VERB If you re-enter a place, organization, or area of activity that you have left, you return to it. □ [V n] Ten minutes later he re-entered the hotel.
re-e ntry in AM, also use reentry 1 N‑UNCOUNT Re-entry is the act of returning to a place, organization, or area of activity that you have left. □ The house has been barred and bolted to prevent re-entry.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Re-entry is used to refer to the moment when a spacecraft comes back into the Earth's atmosphere after being in space. □ The station would burn up on re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere.
re -exa mine (re-examines , re-examining , re-examined ) in AM, also use reexamine VERB If a person or group of people re-examines their ideas, beliefs, or attitudes, they think about them carefully because they are no longer sure if they are correct. □ [V n] Her family will also have to re-examine their expectations. ● re-examination (re-examinations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] It was time for a re-examination of the situation.
ref /re f/ (refs )
1 Ref. is an abbreviation for reference . It is written in front of a code at the top of business letters and documents. The code refers to a file where all the letters and documents about the same matter are kept. [BUSINESS ] □ Our Ref: JAH/JW.
2 N‑COUNT The ref in a sports game, such as football or boxing, is the same as the referee . [INFORMAL ] □ The ref gave a penalty and Zidane scored.
re|fec|tory /r I fe ktəri/ (refectories ) N‑COUNT A refectory is a large room in a school, university, or other institution, where meals are served and eaten.
re|fer ◆◆◇ /r I fɜː r / (refers , referring , referred )
1 VERB If you refer to a particular subject or person, you talk about them or mention them. □ [V + to ] In his speech, he referred to a recent trip to Canada.
2 VERB If you refer to someone or something as a particular thing, you use a particular word, expression, or name to mention or describe them. □ [V + to ] Marcia had referred to him as a dear friend.
3 VERB If a word refers to a particular thing, situation, or idea, it describes it in some way. □ [V + to ] The term electronics refers to electrically-induced action.
4 VERB [usu passive] If a person who is ill is referred to a hospital or a specialist, they are sent there by a doctor in order to be treated. □ [be V -ed + to ] Patients are mostly referred to hospital by their general practitioners. □ [be V -ed] The patient should be referred for tests immediately.
5 VERB If you refer a task or a problem to a person or an organization, you formally tell them about it, so that they can deal with it. □ [V n + to ] He could refer the matter to the high court.
6 VERB If you refer someone to a person or organization, you send them there for the help they need. □ [V n + to ] Now and then I referred a client to him.
7 VERB If you refer to a book or other source of information, you look at it in order to find something out. □ [V + to ] He referred briefly to his notebook.
8 VERB If you refer someone to a source of information, you tell them the place where they will find the information which they need or which you think will interest them. □ [V n + to ] Mr Bryan also referred me to a book by the American journalist Anthony Scaduto. SYNONYMS refer VERB 1
mention: She did not mention her mother's absence.
allude to: She also alluded to her rival's past marital troubles.
bring up: Why are you bringing it up now?
touch on: The film touches on these issues, but only superficially.
ref|eree /re fəriː / (referees , refereeing , refereed )
1 N‑COUNT The referee is the official who controls a sports event such as a football game or a boxing match.
2 VERB When someone referees a sports event or contest, they act as referee. □ [V ] Vautrot has refereed in two World Cups.
3 N‑COUNT A referee is a person who gives you a reference, for example when you are applying for a job. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, use reference
ref|er|ence ◆◇◇ /re fərəns/ (references )
1 N‑VAR Reference to someone or something is the act of talking about them or mentioning them. A reference is a particular example of this. □ [+ to ] He made no reference to any agreement.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Reference is the act of consulting someone or something in order to get information or advice. □ Please keep this sheet in a safe place for reference.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Reference books are ones that you look at when you need specific information or facts about a subject. □ …a useful reference work for teachers.
4 N‑COUNT A reference is a word, phrase, or idea which comes from something such as a book, poem, or play and which you use when making a point about something. □ …a reference from the Quran.
5 N‑COUNT A reference is something such as a number or a name that tells you where you can obtain the information you want. □ Make a note of the reference number shown on the form.
6 N‑COUNT A reference is a letter that is written by someone who knows you and which describes your character and abilities. When you apply for a job, an employer might ask for references . □ The firm offered to give her a reference.
7 N‑COUNT A reference is a person who gives you a reference, for example when you are applying for a job. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use referee
8 PHRASE If you keep information for future reference , you keep it because it might be useful in the future. □ Read these notes carefully and keep them for future reference.
9 PHRASE You use with reference to or in reference to in order to indicate what something relates to. □ I am writing with reference to your article on salaries for scientists.
10 → see also cross-reference , frame of reference , point of reference , terms of reference SYNONYMS reference NOUN
1
allusion: The title is perhaps an allusion to AIDS.
comment: There's been no comment so far from police about the allegations.
mention: The statement made no mention of government casualties.
6
testimonial: She could hardly expect her employer to provide her with testimonials to her character and ability.
recommendation: The best way of finding a solicitor is through personal recommendation.
endorsement: This is a powerful endorsement for his softer style of government.
re f|er|ence li|brary (reference libraries ) N‑COUNT A reference library is a library that contains books which you can look at in the library itself but which you cannot borrow.
ref|er|en|dum ◆◇◇ /re fəre ndəm/ (referendums or referenda /re fəre ndə/) N‑COUNT If a country holds a referendum on a particular policy, they ask the people to vote on the policy and show whether or not they agree with it. □ [+ on ] Estonia said it too planned to hold a referendum on independence.
re|fer|ral /r I fɜː rəl/ (referrals ) N‑VAR Referral is the act of officially sending someone to a person or authority that is qualified to deal with them. A referral is an instance of this. □ [+ to ] Legal Aid can often provide referral to other types of agencies.
re|fill (refills , refilling , refilled ) The verb is pronounced /riː f I l/. The noun is pronounced /riː f I l/. 1 VERB If you refill something, you fill it again after it has been emptied. □ [V n] I refilled our glasses. ● N‑COUNT Refill is also a noun. [INFORMAL ] □ Max held out his cup for a refill.
2 N‑COUNT A refill of a particular product, such as soap powder, is a quantity of that product sold in a cheaper container than the one it is usually sold in. You use a refill to fill the more permanent container when it is empty. □ Refill packs are cheaper and lighter.
re|fi|nance /riː fa I næns/ (refinances , refinancing , refinanced ) VERB If a person or a company refinances a debt or if they refinance , they borrow money in order to pay the debt. [BUSINESS ] □ [V n] A loan was arranged to refinance existing debt. □ [V ] It can be costly to refinance.
re|fine /r I fa I n/ (refines , refining , refined )
1 VERB [usu passive] When a substance is refined , it is made pure by having all other substances removed from it. □ [be V -ed] Oil is refined to remove naturally occurring impurities. ● re|fin|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ …oil refining.
2 VERB [usu passive] If something such as a process, theory, or machine is refined , it is improved by having small changes made to it. □ [be V -ed] Surgical techniques are constantly being refined.
re|fined /r I fa I nd/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A refined substance has been made pure by having other substances removed from it. □ …refined sugar.
2 ADJ If you say that someone is refined , you mean that they are very polite and have good manners and good taste. □ …refined and well-dressed ladies.
3 ADJ If you describe a machine or a process as refined , you mean that it has been carefully developed and is therefore very efficient or elegant. □ This technique is becoming more refined and more acceptable all the time.
re|fine|ment /r I fa I nmənt/ (refinements )
1 N‑VAR Refinements are small changes or additions that you make to something in order to improve it. Refinement is the process of making refinements. □ Older cars inevitably lack the latest safety refinements.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Refinement is politeness and good manners. □ …a girl who possessed both dignity and refinement.
re|fin|er /r I fa I nə r / (refiners ) N‑COUNT Refiners are people or organizations that refine substances such as oil or sugar in order to sell them.
re|fin|ery /r I fa I nəri/ (refineries ) N‑COUNT A refinery is a factory where a substance such as oil or sugar is refined.
re|fit (refits , refitting , refitted ) The verb is pronounced /riː f I t/. The noun is pronounced /riː f I t/. VERB [usu passive] When a ship is refitted , it is repaired or is given new parts, equipment, or furniture. □ [be V -ed] During the war, Navy ships were refitted here. ● N‑COUNT Refit is also a noun. □ The ship finished an extensive refit last year.
re|flate /riːfle I t/ (reflates , reflating , reflated ) VERB If a government tries to reflate its country's economy, it increases the amount of money that is available in order to encourage more economic activity. [BUSINESS ] □ [V n] The administration may try to reflate the economy next year. ● re|fla|tion /riːfle I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Ministers are again talking about reflation and price controls.
re|flect ◆◆◇ /r I fle kt/ (reflects , reflecting , reflected )
1 VERB If something reflects an attitude or situation, it shows that the attitude or situation exists or it shows what it is like. □ [V n] This conference with all of you here reflects the unity of our nation.
2 VERB When light, heat, or other rays reflect off a surface or when a surface reflects them, they are sent back from the surface and do not pass through it. □ [V prep] The sun reflected off the snow-covered mountains. □ [V n] The glass appears to reflect light naturally.
3 VERB [usu passive] When something is reflected in a mirror or in water, you can see its image in the mirror or in the water. □ [be V -ed] His image seemed to be reflected many times in the mirror.
4 VERB When you reflect on something, you think deeply about it. □ [V ] We should all give ourselves time to reflect. □ [V + on/upon ] I reflected on the child's future.
5 VERB You can use reflect to indicate that a particular thought occurs to someone. □ [V that] Things were very much changed since before the war, he reflected.
6 VERB If an action or situation reflects in a particular way on someone or something, it gives people a good or bad impression of them. □ [V adv + on ] The affair hardly reflected well on the British. □ [V + on ] Your behavior as a teacher outside of school hours reflects on the school. SYNONYMS reflect VERB
1
show: These figures show an increase of over one million in unemployment.
reveal: A survey of the British diet has revealed that a growing number of people are overweight.
express: The anxiety of the separation often expresses itself as anger towards the child.
4
consider: Consider how much you can afford to pay for a course, and what is your upper limit.
contemplate: As he lay in his hospital bed that night, he cried as he contemplated his future.
deliberate: She deliberated over the decision for a long time before she made up her mind.
re|flec|tion /r I fle kʃ ə n/ (reflections )
1 N‑COUNT A reflection is an image that you can see in a mirror or in glass or water. □ Meg stared at her reflection in the bedroom mirror.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Reflection is the process by which light and heat are sent back from a surface and do not pass through it. □ [+ of ] …the reflection of a beam of light off a mirror.
3 N‑COUNT If you say that something is a reflection of a particular person's attitude or of a situation, you mean that it is caused by that attitude or situation and therefore reveals something about it. □ [+ of ] Inhibition in adulthood is a reflection of a person's experiences as a child.
4 N‑SING If something is a reflection or a sad reflection on a person or thing, it gives a bad impression of them. □ [+ on ] Infection with head lice is no reflection on personal hygiene. □ [+ on ] The break-up of the library would be a sad reflection on the value we place on our heritage.
5 N‑VAR Reflection is careful thought about a particular subject. Your reflections are your thoughts about a particular subject. □ After days of reflection she decided to write back. ● PHRASE If someone admits or accepts something on reflection , they admit or accept it after having thought carefully about it. □ On reflection, he says, he very much regrets the comments.
re|flec|tive /r I fle kt I v/
1 ADJ If you are reflective , you are thinking deeply about something. [WRITTEN ] □ I walked on in a reflective mood to the car.
2 ADJ If something is reflective of a particular situation or attitude, it is typical of that situation or attitude, or is a consequence of it. □ [+ of ] The German government's support of the U.S. is not entirely reflective of German public opinion.
3 ADJ A reflective surface or material sends back light or heat. [FORMAL ] □ Avoid pans with a shiny, reflective base as the heat will be reflected back.
re|flec|tor /r I fle ktə r / (reflectors )
1 N‑COUNT A reflector is a small piece of specially patterned glass or plastic which is fitted to the back of a bicycle or car or to a post beside the road, and which glows when light shines on it.
2 N‑COUNT A reflector is a type of telescope which uses a mirror that is shaped like a ball.
re|flex /riː fleks/ (reflexes )
1 N‑COUNT A reflex or a reflex action is something that you do automatically and without thinking, as a habit or as a reaction to something. □ Walsh fumbled in his pocket, a reflex from his smoking days.
2 N‑COUNT A reflex or a reflex action is a normal, uncontrollable reaction of your body to something that you feel, see, or experience. □ …tests for reflexes, like tapping the knee or the heel with a rubber hammer.
3 N‑PLURAL Your reflexes are your ability to react quickly with your body when something unexpected happens, for example when you are involved in sport or when you are driving a car. □ It takes great skill, cool nerves and the reflexes of an athlete.
re|flex|ive /r I fle ks I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A reflexive reaction or movement occurs immediately in response to something that happens. [FORMAL ] □ …that reflexive urge for concealment. ● re|flex|ive|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ He felt his head jerk reflexively.
re|fle x|ive pro |noun (reflexive pronouns ) N‑COUNT A reflexive pronoun is a pronoun such as 'myself' which refers back to the subject of a sentence or clause. For example, in the sentence 'He made himself a cup of tea', the reflexive pronoun 'himself' refers back to 'he'.
re|fle x|ive ve rb (reflexive verbs ) N‑COUNT A reflexive verb is a transitive verb whose subject and object always refer to the same person or thing, so the object is always a reflexive pronoun. An example is 'to enjoy yourself', as in 'Did you enjoy yourself?'.
re|flex|ol|ogy /riː fleksɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Reflexology is the practice of massaging particular areas of the body, especially the feet, in the belief that it can heal particular organs. ● re|flex|olo|gist (reflexologists ) N‑COUNT □ By treating the body, via the feet, a reflexologist can unlock the tension in the mind.
re|for|est /riː fɒ r I st/ (reforests , reforesting , reforested ) VERB To reforest an area where there used to be a forest means to plant trees over it. □ [V n] This estate is being reforested and repopulated with wildlife to restore the balance of nature.
re|for|esta|tion /riː fɒr I ste I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Reforestation of an area where there used to be a forest is planting trees over it. □ [+ of ] …the reforestation of the Apennine Mountains.
re|form ◆◆◇ /r I fɔː r m/ (reforms , reforming , reformed )
1 N‑VAR Reform consists of changes and improvements to a law, social system, or institution. A reform is an instance of such a change or improvement. □ The party embarked on a programme of economic reform. □ The Socialists introduced fairly radical reforms.
2 VERB If someone reforms something such as a law, social system, or institution, they change or improve it. □ [V n] …his plans to reform the country's economy. □ [V -ed] A reformed party would have to win the approval of the people.
3 VERB When someone reforms or when something reforms them, they stop doing things that society does not approve of, such as breaking the law or drinking too much alcohol. □ [V ] When his court case was coming up, James promised to reform. □ [V n] We will try to reform him within the community. ● re|formed ADJ [usu ADJ n] □ …a reformed character.
4 → see also re-form SYNONYMS reform NOUN 1
improvement: …the dramatic improvements in organ transplantation in recent years.
amendment: …a constitutional amendment.
correction: …legislation to require the correction of factual errors. VERB 2
improve: He improved their house.
better: He had dedicated his life to bettering the lives of the oppressed people of South Africa.
correct: He may need surgery to correct the problem.
re -fo rm (re-forms , re-forming , re-formed ) also reform VERB When an organization, group, or shape re-forms , or when someone re-forms it, it is created again after a period during which it did not exist or existed in a different form. □ [V ] The official trades union council voted to disband itself and re-form as a confederation. □ [V n] The 40-year-old singer reformed his band.
ref|or|ma|tion /re fə r me I ʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The reformation of something is the act or process of changing and improving it. □ [+ of ] He devoted his energies to the reformation of science.
2 N‑PROPER The Reformation is the movement to reform the Catholic Church in the sixteenth century, which led to the Protestant church being set up. □ …a famous statue of the Virgin which was destroyed during the Reformation.
re|form|er /r I fɔː r mə r / (reformers ) N‑COUNT A reformer is someone who tries to change and improve something such as a law or a social system.
re|form|ism /r I fɔː r m I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Reformism is the belief that a system or law should be reformed.
re|form|ist /r I fɔː r m I st/ (reformists ) ADJ Reformist groups or policies are trying to reform a system or law. □ …a strong supporter of reformist policies. ● N‑COUNT A reformist is someone with reformist views.
re|fract /r I fræ kt/ (refracts , refracting , refracted ) VERB When a ray of light or a sound wave refracts or is refracted , the path it follows bends at a particular point, for example when it enters water or glass. □ [V n] As we age, the lenses of the eyes thicken, and thus refract light differently. □ [V ] …surfaces that cause the light to reflect and refract. ● re|frac|tion /r I fræ kʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the refraction of the light on the dancing waves.
re|frac|tory /r I fræ ktəri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Refractory people are difficult to deal with or control, for example because they are unwilling to obey orders. [FORMAL ] □ …the situation when a state is confronted by a refractory religious minority.
re|frain /r I fre I n/ (refrains , refraining , refrained )
1 VERB If you refrain from doing something, you deliberately do not do it. □ [V + from ] Mrs Hardie refrained from making any comment.
2 N‑COUNT A refrain is a short, simple part of a song, which is repeated many times. □ …a refrain from an old song.
3 N‑COUNT A refrain is a comment or saying that people often repeat. □ Rosa's constant refrain is that she doesn't have a life.
re|fresh /r I fre ʃ/ (refreshes , refreshing , refreshed )
1 VERB If something refreshes you when you have become hot, tired, or thirsty, it makes you feel cooler or more energetic. □ [V n] The lotion cools and refreshes the skin. ● re|freshed ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] □ He awoke feeling completely refreshed.
2 VERB If you refresh something old or dull, you make it as good as it was when it was new. □ [V n] Many view these meetings as an occasion to share ideas and refresh friendship.
3 VERB If someone refreshes your memory, they tell you something that you had forgotten. □ [V n] He walked on the opposite side of the street to refresh his memory of the building.
4 VERB If you refresh a web page, you click a button in order to get the most recent version of the page. [COMPUTING ] □ [V n] Press the 'reload' button on your web browser to refresh the site.
re|fre sh|er course (refresher courses ) N‑COUNT A refresher course is a training course in which people improve their knowledge or skills and learn about new developments that are related to the job that they do.
re|fresh|ing /r I fre ʃ I ŋ/
1 ADJ You say that something is refreshing when it is pleasantly different from what you are used to. □ It's refreshing to hear somebody speaking common sense. ● re|fresh|ing|ly ADV □ He was refreshingly honest.
2 ADJ A refreshing bath or drink makes you feel energetic or cool again after you have been tired or hot. □ Herbs have been used for centuries to make refreshing drinks.
re|fresh|ment /r I fre ʃmənt/ (refreshments )
1 N‑PLURAL Refreshments are drinks and small amounts of food that are provided, for example, during a meeting or a journey.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to food and drink as refreshment . [FORMAL ] □ May I offer you some refreshment?
re|frig|er|ate /r I fr I dʒəre I t/ (refrigerates , refrigerating , refrigerated ) VERB If you refrigerate food, you make it cold, for example by putting it in a fridge, usually in order to preserve it. □ [V n] Refrigerate the dough overnight.
re|frig|era|tor /r I fr I dʒəre I tə r / (refrigerators ) N‑COUNT A refrigerator is a large container which is kept cool inside, usually by electricity, so that the food and drink in it stays fresh.
re|fu|el /riː fjuː əl/ (refuels , refuelling , refuelled ) in AM, use refueling , refueled VERB When an aircraft or other vehicle refuels or when someone refuels it, it is filled with more fuel so that it can continue its journey. □ [V ] His plane stopped in France to refuel. □ [V n] The airline's crew refuelled the plane. ● re|fu|el|ling N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …in-flight refuelling of Tornados.
ref|uge /re fjuːdʒ/ (refuges )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you take refuge somewhere, you try to protect yourself from physical harm by going there. □ They took refuge in a bomb shelter. □ His home became a place of refuge for the believers.
2 N‑COUNT A refuge is a place where you go for safety and protection, for example from violence or from bad weather. □ …a refuge for battered women.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If you take refuge in a particular way of behaving or thinking, you try to protect yourself from unhappiness or unpleasantness by behaving or thinking in that way. □ With these restrictions on childhood it's no wonder kids seek refuge in consumerism.
refu|gee ◆◆◇ /re fjuːdʒiː / (refugees ) N‑COUNT Refugees are people who have been forced to leave their homes or their country, either because there is a war there or because of their political or religious beliefs.
re|fund (refunds , refunding , refunded ) The noun is pronounced /riː fʌnd/. The verb is pronounced /r I fʌ nd/. 1 N‑COUNT A refund is a sum of money which is returned to you, for example because you have paid too much or because you have returned goods to a shop.
2 VERB If someone refunds your money, they return it to you, for example because you have paid too much or because you have returned goods to a shop. □ [V n] We guarantee to refund your money if you're not delighted with your purchase.
re|fund|able /r I fʌ ndəb ə l/ ADJ A refundable payment will be paid back to you in certain circumstances. □ A refundable deposit is payable on arrival.
re|fur|bish /riːfɜː r b I ʃ/ (refurbishes , refurbishing , refurbished ) VERB To refurbish a building or room means to clean it and decorate it and make it more attractive or better equipped. □ [V n] We have spent money on refurbishing the offices.
re|fur|bish|ment /riːfɜː r b I ʃmənt/ N‑UNCOUNT The refurbishment of something is the act or process of cleaning it, decorating it, and providing it with new equipment or facilities.
re|fus|al /r I fjuː z ə l/ (refusals )
1 N‑VAR Someone's refusal to do something is the fact of them showing or saying that they will not do it, allow it, or accept it. □ …her refusal to accept change.
2 PHRASE If someone has first refusal on something that is being sold or offered, they have the right to decide whether or not to buy it or take it before it is offered to anyone else. □ A tenant may have a right of first refusal if a property is offered for sale.
re|fuse ◆◆◇ (refuses , refusing , refused ) The verb is pronounced /r I fjuː z/. The noun is pronounced /re fjuːs/ and is hyphenated ref|use. 1 VERB If you refuse to do something, you deliberately do not do it, or you say firmly that you will not do it. □ [V to-inf] He refused to comment after the trial. □ [V ] He expects me to stay on here and I can hardly refuse.
2 VERB If someone refuses you something, they do not give it to you or do not allow you to have it. □ [V n n] The United States has refused him a visa. □ [V n] The town council had refused permission for the march.
3 VERB If you refuse something that is offered to you, you do not accept it. □ [V n] The patient has the right to refuse treatment.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Refuse consists of the rubbish and all the things that are not wanted in a house, shop, or factory, and that are regularly thrown away; used mainly in official language. □ The District Council made a weekly collection of refuse. SYNONYMS refuse VERB 1
decline: The band declined to comment on the story.
demur: The doctor demurred, but Piercey was insistent.
reject: Seventeen publishers rejected the manuscript before Jenks saw its potential.
turn down: I thanked him for the offer but turned it down.
refu|ta|tion /re fjuːte I ʃ ə n/ (refutations ) N‑VAR A refutation of an argument, accusation, or theory is something that proves it is wrong or untrue. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] He prepared a complete refutation of the Opposition's most serious charges.
re|fute /r I fjuː t/ (refutes , refuting , refuted )
1 VERB If you refute an argument, accusation, or theory, you prove that it is wrong or untrue. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] It was the kind of rumour that it is impossible to refute.
2 VERB If you refute an argument or accusation, you say that it is not true. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Isabelle is quick to refute any suggestion of intellectual snobbery.
re|gain /r I ge I n/ (regains , regaining , regained ) VERB If you regain something that you have lost, you get it back again. □ [V n] Troops have regained control of the city.
re|gal /riː g ə l/ ADJ If you describe something as regal , you mean that it is suitable for a king or queen, because it is very impressive or beautiful. □ He sat with such regal dignity. ● re|gal|ly ADV □ He inclined his head regally.
re|gale /r I ge I l/ (regales , regaling , regaled ) VERB If someone regales you with stories or jokes, they tell you a lot of them, whether you want to hear them or not. □ [be V -ed + with ] He was constantly regaled with tales of woe.
re|ga|lia /r I ge I liə/ N‑UNCOUNT Regalia consists of all the traditional clothes and items which someone such as a king or a judge wears and carries on official occasions. □ …officials in full regalia.
re|gard ◆◆◇ /r I gɑː r d/ (regards , regarding , regarded )
1 VERB If you regard someone or something as being a particular thing or as having a particular quality, you believe that they are that thing or have that quality. □ [be V -ed + as ] He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times. □ [V n + as ] I regard creativity both as a gift and as a skill.
2 VERB If you regard something or someone with a feeling such as dislike or respect, you have that feeling about them. □ [V n + with ] They regarded him with a mixture of fondness and alarm.
3 VERB If you regard someone in a certain way, you look at them in that way. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] She regarded him curiously for a moment. □ [V n + with ] The clerk regarded him with benevolent amusement.
4 N‑UNCOUNT If you have regard for someone or something, you respect them and care about them. If you hold someone in high regard , you have a lot of respect for them. □ I have a very high regard for him and what he has achieved. □ The Party ruled the country without regard for the people's views.
5 N‑PLURAL Regards are greetings. You use regards in expressions such as best regards and with kind regards as a way of expressing friendly feelings towards someone, especially in a letter or email. [FORMULAE ] □ [+ to ] Give my regards to your family.
6 PHRASE You can use as regards to indicate the subject that is being talked or written about. □ As regards the war, Haig believed in victory at any price.
7 PHRASE You can use with regard to or in regard to to indicate the subject that is being talked or written about. □ The department is reviewing its policy with regard to immunisation.
8 PHRASE You can use in this regard or in that regard to refer back to something that you have just said. □ In this regard nothing has changed. □ I may have made a mistake in that regard. SYNONYMS regard VERB
1
consider: I consider activities such as jogging and weightlifting as unnatural.
judge: I judged it to be one of the worst programmes ever screened.
deem: French and German were deemed essential.
view: Sectors in the economy can be viewed in a variety of ways.
3
look: She turned to look at him.
eye: Sally eyed Claire with interest.
observe: Our sniper teams observed them manning an anti-aircraft gun.
watch: The man was standing in his doorway watching him. NOUN 4
respect: I have tremendous respect for Dean.
esteem: Their public esteem has never been lower.
admiration: I have always had the greatest admiration for him.
re|gard|ing /r I gɑː r d I ŋ/ PREP You can use regarding to indicate the subject that is being talked or written about. □ He refused to divulge any information regarding the man's whereabouts.
re|gard|less /r I gɑː r dləs/
1 PHRASE If something happens regardless of something else, it is not affected or influenced at all by that other thing. □ It takes in anybody regardless of religion, colour, or creed.
2 ADV [ADV after v] If you say that someone did something regardless , you mean that they did it even though there were problems or factors that could have stopped them, or perhaps should have stopped them. □ Despite her recent surgery she has been carrying on regardless.
re|gat|ta /r I gæ tə/ (regattas ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] A regatta is a sports event consisting of races between yachts or rowing boats.
re|gen|cy /riː dʒ ə nsi/ (regencies ) The spelling Regency is usually used for meaning 1 . 1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Regency is used to refer to the period in Britain at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and to the style of architecture, literature, and furniture that was popular at the time. □ …a huge, six-bedroomed Regency house.
2 N‑COUNT A regency is a period of time when a country is governed by a regent, because the king or queen is unable to rule.
re|gen|er|ate /r I dʒe nəre I t/ (regenerates , regenerating , regenerated )
1 VERB To regenerate something means to develop and improve it to make it more active, successful, or important, especially after a period when it has been getting worse. □ [V n] The government will continue to try to regenerate inner city areas. ● re|gen|era|tion /r I dʒe nəre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the physical and economic regeneration of the area.
2 VERB If organs or tissues regenerate or if something regenerates them, they heal and grow again after they have been damaged. □ [V ] Nerve cells have limited ability to regenerate if destroyed. □ [V n] Newts can regenerate their limbs. ● re|gen|era|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ Vitamin B assists in red-blood-cell regeneration.
re|gen|era|tive /r I dʒe nərət I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Regenerative powers or processes cause something to heal or become active again after it has been damaged or inactive. □ …the regenerative power of nature.
re|gent /riː dʒ ə nt/ (regents ) N‑COUNT A regent is a person who rules a country when the king or queen is unable to rule, for example because they are too young or too ill.
reg|gae /re ge I / N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Reggae is a kind of West Indian popular music with a very strong beat. □ Bob Marley provided them with their first taste of Reggae music.
regi|cide /re dʒ I sa I d/ (regicides )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Regicide is the act of killing a king. □ He had become czar through regicide.
2 N‑COUNT A regicide is a person who kills a king. □ Some of the regicides were sentenced to death.
re|gime ◆◇◇ /re I ʒiː m/ (regimes )
1 N‑COUNT If you refer to a government or system of running a country as a regime , you are critical of it because you think it is not democratic and uses unacceptable methods. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the collapse of the Fascist regime at the end of the war.
2 N‑COUNT A regime is the way that something such as an institution, company, or economy is run, especially when it involves tough or severe action. □ The authorities moved him to the less rigid regime of an open prison.
3 N‑COUNT A regime is a set of rules about food, exercise, or beauty that some people follow in order to stay healthy or attractive. □ He has a new fitness regime to strengthen his back. SYNONYMS regime NOUN 1
government: …democratic governments in countries like Britain and the U.S.
administration: O'Leary served in federal energy posts in both the Ford and Carter administrations.
leadership: He is expected to hold talks with both the Croatian and Slovenian leaderships.
regi|men /re dʒ I men/ (regimens ) N‑COUNT A regimen is a set of rules about food and exercise that some people follow in order to stay healthy. □ Whatever regimen has been prescribed should be rigorously followed.
regi|ment /re dʒ I mənt/ (regiments )
1 N‑COUNT A regiment is a large group of soldiers that is commanded by a colonel.
2 N‑COUNT A regiment of people is a large number of them. □ [+ of ] …robust food, good enough to satisfy a regiment of hungry customers.
regi|men|tal /re dʒ I me nt ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Regimental means belonging to a particular regiment. □ Mills was regimental colonel.
regi|men|ta|tion /re dʒ I mente I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Regimentation is very strict control over the way a group of people behave or the way something is done. □ [+ of ] Democracy is incompatible with excessive, bureaucratic regimentation of social life.
regi|ment|ed /re dʒ I ment I d/ ADJ Something that is regimented is very strictly controlled. □ …the regimented atmosphere of the orphanage.
re|gion ◆◆◇ /riː dʒ ə n/ (regions )
1 N‑COUNT A region is a large area of land that is different from other areas of land, for example because it is one of the different parts of a country with its own customs and characteristics, or because it has a particular geographical feature. □ …a remote mountain region.
2 N‑PLURAL The regions are the parts of a country that are not the capital city and its surrounding area. [BRIT ] □ …London and the regions.
3 N‑COUNT You can refer to a part of your body as a region . □ …the pelvic region.
4 PHRASE You say in the region of to indicate that an amount that you are stating is approximate. [VAGUENESS ] □ The scheme will cost in the region of six million pounds. COLLOCATIONS region NOUN 1
noun + region : border, mountain, wine
adjective + region : eastern, northern, southern, western; central, coastal, mountainous, remote; autonomous, tribal
verb + region : explore, visit; affect, destabilize
re|gion|al ◆◆◇ /riː dʒən ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Regional is used to describe things which relate to a particular area of a country or of the world. □ …the autonomous regional government of Andalucia. ● re|gion|al|ly ADV □ The impact of these trends has varied regionally. SYNONYMS regional ADJ 1
local: We'd better check on the match in the local paper.
provincial: …in Rasht, the provincial capital of Gilan province.
district: …the district health authority.
re|gion|al|ism /riː dʒənəl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Regionalism is a strong feeling of pride or loyalty that people in a region have for that region, often including a desire to govern themselves. □ A grass-roots regionalism appears to be emerging.
reg|is|ter ◆◇◇ /re dʒ I stə r / (registers , registering , registered )
1 N‑COUNT A register is an official list or record of people or things. □ …registers of births, deaths and marriages. □ He signed the register at the hotel.
2 VERB If you register to do something, you put your name on an official list, in order to be able to do that thing or to receive a service. □ [V ] Have you come to register at the school? □ [V to-inf] Thousands lined up to register to vote. □ [V + for ] Many students register for these courses to widen skills for use in their current job. □ [V -ed] About 26 million people are not registered with a dentist.
3 VERB If you register something, such as the name of a person who has just died or information about something you own, you have these facts recorded on an official list. □ [V n] The council said the car was not registered. □ [V -ed] …a registered charity.
4 VERB When something registers on a scale or measuring instrument, it shows on the scale or instrument. You can also say that something registers a certain amount or level on a scale or measuring instrument. □ [V + on ] It will only register on sophisticated X-ray equipment. □ [V n] The earthquake registered 5.3 points on the Richter scale.
5 VERB If you register your feelings or opinions about something, you do something that makes them clear to other people. □ [V n] Voters wish to register their dissatisfaction with the ruling party.
6 VERB If a feeling registers on someone's face, their expression shows clearly that they have that feeling. □ [V + on ] Surprise again registered on Rodney's face.
7 VERB If a piece of information does not register or if you do not register it, you do not really pay attention to it, and so you do not remember it or react to it. □ [V ] What I said sometimes didn't register in her brain. □ [V n] The sound was so familiar that she didn't register it. [Also V that]
8 N‑VAR In linguistics, the register of a piece of speech or writing is its level and style of language, which is usually appropriate to the situation or circumstances in which it is used. [TECHNICAL ]
9 → see also cash register , electoral register SYNONYMS register NOUN 1
list: There were six names on the list.
roll: …the electoral roll.
catalogue: …the world's biggest seed catalogue. VERB 2
enlist: He enlisted as a private in the Mexican War.
sign up: He signed up as a steward with P&O Lines.
enrol: She enrolled on a local Women Into Management course.
reg|is|tered /re dʒ I stə r d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A registered letter or parcel is sent by a special postal service, for which you pay extra money for insurance in case it gets lost. □ He asked his mother to send it by registered mail.
re g|is|tered nu rse (registered nurses ) N‑COUNT A registered nurse is someone who is qualified to work as a nurse. [AM , AUSTRALIAN ]
re g|is|ter of|fice (register offices ) N‑COUNT A register office is a place where births, marriages, and deaths are officially recorded, and where people can get married without a religious ceremony. [BRIT ]
reg|is|trar /re dʒ I strɑː r , [AM ] -strɑːr/ (registrars )
1 N‑COUNT In Britain, a registrar is a person whose job is to keep official records, especially of births, marriages, and deaths.
2 N‑COUNT A registrar is a senior administrative official in a British college or university.
reg|is|tra|tion /re dʒ I stre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT The registration of something such as a person's name or the details of an event is the recording of it in an official list. □ [+ of ] They have campaigned strongly for compulsory registration of dogs.
re g|is|tra |tion num|ber (registration numbers ) N‑COUNT The registration number or the registration of a car or other road vehicle is the series of letters and numbers that are shown at the front and back of it. [BRIT ] □ Another driver managed to get the registration number of the car. in AM, use license number
reg|is|try /re dʒ I stri/ (registries ) N‑COUNT A registry is a collection of all the official records relating to something, or the place where they are kept. □ [+ of ] It agreed to set up a central registry of arms sales.
re g|is|try of|fice (registry offices ) N‑COUNT A registry office is the same as a register office . [mainly BRIT ]
re|gress /r I gre s/ (regresses , regressing , regressed ) VERB When people or things regress , they return to an earlier and less advanced stage of development. [FORMAL ] □ [V + to/into ] …if your child regresses to babyish behaviour. □ [V ] Such countries are not 'developing' at all, but regressing. ● re|gres|sion /r I gre ʃ ə n/ (regressions ) N‑VAR □ This can cause regression in a pupil's learning process.
re|gres|sive /r I gre s I v/ ADJ Regressive behaviour, activities, or processes involve a return to an earlier and less advanced stage of development. [FORMAL ] □ This regressive behaviour is more common in boys.
re|gret ◆◇◇ /r I gre t/ (regrets , regretting , regretted )
1 VERB If you regret something that you have done, you wish that you had not done it. □ [V n] I simply gave in to him, and I've regretted it ever since. □ [V that] Ellis seemed to be regretting that he had asked the question. □ [V v-ing] Five years later she regrets having given up her home.
2 N‑VAR Regret is a feeling of sadness or disappointment, which is caused by something that has happened or something that you have done or not done. □ [+ about ] Lillee said he had no regrets about retiring.
3 VERB You can say that you regret something as a polite way of saying that you are sorry about it. You use expressions such as I regret to say or I regret to inform you to show that you are sorry about something. [POLITENESS ] □ [V n] 'I very much regret the injuries he sustained,' he said. □ [V that] I regret that the United States has added its voice to such protests. □ [V to-inf] Her lack of co-operation is nothing new, I regret to say.
4 N‑UNCOUNT If someone expresses regret about something, they say that they are sorry about it. [FORMAL ] □ He expressed great regret and said that surgeons would attempt to reverse the operation. □ She has accepted his resignation with regret.
re|gret|ful /r I gre tfʊl/ ADJ [ADJ that] If you are regretful , you show that you regret something. □ Mr Griffin gave a regretful smile. [Also + about ] ● re|gret|ful|ly ADV □ He shook his head regretfully.
re|gret|table /r I gre təb ə l/ ADJ You describe something as regrettable when you think that it is bad and that it should not happen or have happened. [FORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ …an investigation into what the army described as a regrettable incident. ● re|gret|tably ADV [ADV adj] □ Regrettably we could find no sign of the man and the search was terminated.
re|group /riː gruː p/ (regroups , regrouping , regrouped ) VERB When people, especially soldiers, regroup , or when someone regroups them, they form an organized group again, in order to continue fighting. □ [V ] Now the rebel army has regrouped and reorganised. □ [V n] The rebels may simply be using the truce to regroup their forces.
regu|lar ◆◆◇ /re gjʊlə r / (regulars )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Regular events have equal amounts of time between them, so that they happen, for example, at the same time each day or each week. □ Take regular exercise. □ We're going to be meeting there on a regular basis. □ The cartridge must be replaced at regular intervals. ● regu|lar|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He also writes regularly for 'International Management' magazine. ● regu|lar|ity /re gjʊlæ r I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The system will provide details of loans, their size, regularity of payment and their status.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Regular events happen often. □ This condition usually clears up with regular shampooing. ● regu|lar|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Fox, badger, weasel and stoat are regularly seen here. ● regu|lar|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ Closures and job losses are again being announced with monotonous regularity.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If you are, for example, a regular customer at a shop or a regular visitor to a place, you go there often. □ She has become a regular visitor to Houghton Hall.
4 N‑COUNT The regulars at a place or in a team are the people who often go to the place or are often in the team. □ Regulars at his local pub have set up a fund to help out.
5 ADJ You use regular when referring to the thing, person, time, or place that is usually used by someone. For example, someone's regular place is the place where they usually sit. □ The man sat at his regular table near the window.
6 ADJ A regular rhythm consists of a series of sounds or movements with equal periods of time between them. □ …a very regular beat. ● regu|lar|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Remember to breathe regularly. ● regu|lar|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Experimenters have succeeded in controlling the rate and regularity of the heartbeat.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] Regular is used to mean 'normal'. [mainly AM ] □ It looks and feels like a regular guitar.
8 ADJ [ADJ n] In some restaurants, a regular drink or quantity of food is of medium size. [mainly AM ] □ …a cheeseburger and regular fries.
9 ADJ A regular pattern or arrangement consists of a series of things with equal spaces between them. □ …sandy hillocks that look as if they've been scattered in a regular pattern on the ground.
10 ADJ If something has a regular shape, both halves are the same and it has straight edges or a smooth outline. □ …some regular geometrical shape. ● regu|lar|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the chessboard regularity of their fields.
11 ADJ In grammar, a regular verb, noun, or adjective inflects in the same way as most verbs, nouns, or adjectives in the language.
regu|lar|ity /re gjʊlæ r I ti/ (regularities )
1 N‑COUNT A regularity is the fact that the same thing always happens in the same circumstances. [FORMAL ] □ Children seek out regularities and rules in acquiring language.
2 → see also regular
regu|lar|ize /re gjʊləra I z/ (regularizes , regularizing , regularized ) in BRIT, also use regularise VERB If someone regularizes a situation or system, they make it officially acceptable or put it under a system of rules. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Cohabiting couples would regularise their unions, they said.
regu|late /re gjʊle I t/ (regulates , regulating , regulated ) VERB To regulate an activity or process means to control it, especially by means of rules. □ [V n] Serious reform is needed to improve institutions that regulate competition. ● regu|lat|ed ADJ □ …a planned, state-regulated economy.
regu|la|tion ◆◇◇ /re gjʊle I ʃ ə n/ (regulations )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Regulations are rules made by a government or other authority in order to control the way something is done or the way people behave. □ Employers are using the new regulations to force out people over 65.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Regulation is the controlling of an activity or process, usually by means of rules. □ Some in the market now want government regulation in order to reduce costs. COLLOCATIONS regulation NOUN 1
noun + regulation : banking, building, safety, workplace
adjective + regulation : financial, statutory; strict, stringent, tough
verb + regulation : enforce, impose, tighten; breach, contravene, violate; comply with, meet
regu|la|tor ◆◇◇ /re gjʊle I tə r / (regulators ) N‑COUNT A regulator is a person or organization appointed by a government to regulate an area of activity such as banking or industry. □ An independent regulator will be appointed to ensure fair competition. ● regu|la|tory /re gjʊle I təri, [AM ] -lətɔːri/ ADJ [ADJ n] □ …the U.K.'s financial regulatory system.
re|gur|gi|tate /r I gɜː r dʒ I te I t/ (regurgitates , regurgitating , regurgitated )
1 VERB If you say that someone is regurgitating ideas or facts, you mean that they are repeating them without understanding them properly. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] You can get sick to death of a friend regurgitating her partner's opinions.
2 VERB If a person or animal regurgitates food, they bring it back up from their stomach before it has been digested. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Sometimes he regurgitates the food we give him because he cannot swallow.
re|hab /riː hæb/ N‑UNCOUNT Rehab is the process of helping someone to lead a normal life again after they have been ill, or when they have had a drug or alcohol problem. Rehab is short for rehabilitation . [INFORMAL ] □ He spent nearly four years in rehab.
re|ha|bili|tate /riː həb I l I te I t/ (rehabilitates , rehabilitating , rehabilitated )
1 VERB To rehabilitate someone who has been ill or in prison means to help them to live a normal life again. To rehabilitate someone who has a drug or alcohol problem means to help them stop using drugs or alcohol. □ [V n] Considerable efforts have been made to rehabilitate patients who have suffered in this way. ● re|ha|bili|ta|tion /riː həb I l I te I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the rehabilitation of young offenders.
2 VERB If someone is rehabilitated , they begin to be considered acceptable again after a period during which they have been rejected or severely criticized. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] Ten years later, Dreyfus was rehabilitated. □ [V n] His candidacy has divided the party; most scorned him but some sought to rehabilitate him.
re|hash (rehashes , rehashing , rehashed ) The noun is pronounced /riː hæʃ/. The verb is pronounced /riːhæ ʃ/. 1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you describe something as a rehash , you are criticizing it because it repeats old ideas, facts, or themes, though some things have been changed to make it appear new. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] The Observer found the play 'a feeble rehash of familiar Miller themes'.
2 VERB If you say that someone rehashes old ideas, facts, or accusations, you disapprove of the fact that they present them in a slightly different way so that they seem new or original. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] They've taken some of the best bits out of the best things and rehashed them.
re|hears|al /r I hɜː r s ə l/ (rehearsals )
1 N‑VAR A rehearsal of a play, dance, or piece of music is a practice of it in preparation for a performance. □ [+ for ] The band was scheduled to begin rehearsals for a concert tour. [Also + of ]
2 → see also dress rehearsal
3 N‑COUNT You can describe an event or object which is a preparation for a more important event or object as a rehearsal for it. □ Daydreams may seem to be rehearsals for real-life situations.
re|hearse /r I hɜː r s/ (rehearses , rehearsing , rehearsed )
1 VERB When people rehearse a play, dance, or piece of music, they practise it in order to prepare for a performance. □ [V n] A group of actors are rehearsing a play about Joan of Arc. □ [V + for ] Thousands of people have been rehearsing for the opening ceremony. □ [V ] The cast and crew were only given three and a half weeks to rehearse.
2 VERB If you rehearse something that you are going to say or do, you silently practise it by imagining that you are saying or doing it. □ [V n] Anticipate any tough questions and rehearse your answers. □ [V wh] We encouraged them to rehearse what they were going to say.
re|house /riː haʊ z/ (rehouses , rehousing , rehoused ) VERB If someone is rehoused , their council, local government, or other authority provides them with a different house to live in. □ [be V -ed] Many of the families who lost their homes in the earthquake have still not been rehoused. □ [V n] The council has agreed to rehouse the family.
reign /re I n/ (reigns , reigning , reigned )
1 VERB If you say, for example, that silence reigns in a place or confusion reigns in a situation, you mean that the place is silent or the situation is confused. [WRITTEN ] □ [V ] Confusion reigned about how the debate would end. □ [V + over ] A relative calm reigned over the city.
2 VERB When a king or queen reigns , he or she rules a country. □ [V ] …Henry II, who reigned from 1154 to 1189. □ [V -ing] …George III, Britain's longest reigning monarch. ● N‑COUNT [with poss] Reign is also a noun. □ …Queen Victoria's reign.
3 VERB If you say that a person reigns in a situation or area, you mean that they are very powerful or successful. □ [V ] He reigned as the male sex symbol of the 1950s. □ [V + over ] …the girls that reigned over 1960s pop. ● N‑COUNT [with poss] Reign is also a noun. □ …Klitschko's 11-year reign as a world champion.
4 PHRASE Someone or something that reigns supreme is the most important or powerful element in a situation or period of time. □ The bicycle reigned supreme as Britain's most popular mode of transport.
5 PHRASE A reign of terror is a period during which there is a lot of violence and killing, especially by people who are in a position of power. □ The commanders accused him of carrying out a reign of terror.
reign|ing /re I n I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] The reigning champion is the most recent winner of a contest or competition at the time you are talking about. □ …the reigning world champion.
re|im|burse /riː I mbɜː r s/ (reimburses , reimbursing , reimbursed ) VERB If you reimburse someone for something, you pay them back the money that they have spent or lost because of it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n + for ] I'll be happy to reimburse you for any expenses you might have incurred. □ [V n] The funds are supposed to reimburse policyholders in the event of insurer failure.
re|im|burse|ment /riː I mbɜː r smənt/ (reimbursements ) N‑VAR If you receive reimbursement for money that you have spent, you get your money back, for example because the money should have been paid by someone else. [FORMAL ] □ [+ for ] She is demanding reimbursement for medical and other expenses.
rein /re I n/ (reins , reining , reined )
1 N‑PLURAL Reins are the thin leather straps attached round a horse's neck which are used to control the horse.
2 N‑PLURAL Journalists sometimes use the expression the reins or the reins of power to refer to the control of a country or organization. □ He was determined to see the party keep a hold on the reins of power.
3 PHRASE If you give free rein to someone, you give them a lot of freedom to do what they want. □ The government believed it should give free rein to the private sector in transport.
4 PHRASE If you keep a tight rein on someone, you control them firmly. □ Her parents had kept her on a tight rein with their narrow and inflexible views.
▸ rein back PHRASAL VERB To rein back something such as spending means to control it strictly. □ [V P n] The government would try to rein back inflation. [Also V n P ]
▸ rein in PHRASAL VERB To rein in something means to control it. □ [V P n] His administration's economic policy would focus on reining in inflation. □ [V n P ] Mary spoiled both her children, then tried too late to rein them in.
re|incar|nate /riː I ŋkɑː r ne I t/ (reincarnates , reincarnating , reincarnated ) VERB [usu passive] If people believe that they will be reincarnated when they die, they believe that their spirit will be born again and will live in the body of another person or animal. □ [be V -ed] …their belief that human souls were reincarnated in the bodies of turtles. [Also V ]
re|incar|na|tion /riː I ŋkɑː r ne I ʃ ə n/ (reincarnations )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you believe in reincarnation , you believe that you will be reincarnated after you die. □ Many African tribes believe in reincarnation.
2 N‑COUNT A reincarnation is a person or animal whose body is believed to contain the spirit of a dead person.
rein|deer /re I nd I ə r / (reindeer ) N‑COUNT A reindeer is a deer with large horns called antlers that lives in northern areas of Europe, Asia, and America.
re|inforce /riː I nfɔː r s/ (reinforces , reinforcing , reinforced )
1 VERB If something reinforces a feeling, situation, or process, it makes it stronger or more intense. □ [V n] A stronger European Parliament would, they fear, only reinforce the power of the larger countries.
2 VERB If something reinforces an idea or point of view, it provides more evidence or support for it. □ [V n] The delegation hopes to reinforce the idea that human rights are not purely internal matters.
3 VERB To reinforce an object means to make it stronger or harder. □ [V n + with ] Eventually, they had to reinforce the walls with exterior beams. ● re|inforced ADJ □ Its windows were made of reinforced glass.
4 VERB To reinforce an army or a police force means to make it stronger by increasing its size or providing it with more weapons. To reinforce a position or place means to make it stronger by sending more soldiers or weapons. □ [V n] Both sides have been reinforcing their positions after yesterday's fierce fighting.
re |inforced co n|crete N‑UNCOUNT Reinforced concrete is concrete that is made with pieces of metal inside it to make it stronger.
re|inforce|ment /riː I nfɔː r smənt/ (reinforcements )
1 N‑PLURAL Reinforcements are soldiers or police officers who are sent to join an army or group of police in order to make it stronger. □ …the despatch of police and troop reinforcements.
2 N‑VAR The reinforcement of something is the process of making it stronger. □ [+ of ] This meeting will contribute to the reinforcement of security.
re|instate /riː I nste I t/ (reinstates , reinstating , reinstated )
1 VERB If you reinstate someone, you give them back a job or position which had been taken away from them. □ [V n] The governor is said to have agreed to reinstate five senior workers who were dismissed.
2 VERB To reinstate a law, facility, or practice means to start having it again. □ [V n] …the decision to reinstate the grant.
re|instate|ment /riː I nste I tmənt/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] Reinstatement is the act of giving someone back a job or position which has been taken away from them. □ Parents campaigned in vain for her reinstatement.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu with poss] The reinstatement of a law, facility, or practice is the act of causing it to exist again. □ [+ of ] He welcomed the reinstatement of the 10 per cent bank base rate.
re|invent /riː I nve nt/ (reinvents , reinventing , reinvented )
1 VERB To reinvent something means to change it so that it seems different and new. □ [V n] They have tried to reinvent their retail stores. □ [V pron-refl] He was determined to reinvent himself as a poet and writer. ● re|inven|tion /riː I nve nʃən/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …a reinvention of the styles of the 1940s.
2 PHRASE If someone is trying to reinvent the wheel , they are trying to do something that has already been done successfully. □ Some of these ideas are worth pursuing, but there is no need to reinvent the wheel.
re|is|sue /riː I ʃuː/ (reissues , reissuing , reissued )
1 N‑COUNT A reissue is a book, CD, or film that has not been available for some time but is now published or produced again. □ …this welcome reissue of a 1955 Ingmar Bergman classic.
2 VERB [usu passive] If something such as a book, CD, or film is reissued after it has not been available for some time, it is published or produced again. □ [be V -ed] Her novels have just been reissued with eye-catching new covers.
re|it|er|ate /riː I təre I t/ (reiterates , reiterating , reiterated ) VERB If you reiterate something, you say it again, usually in order to emphasize it. [FORMAL , JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] He reiterated his opposition to the creation of a central bank. □ [V that] I want to reiterate that our conventional weapons are superior. [Also V quote] ● re|it|era|tion /riː I təre I ʃ ə n/ (reiterations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] It was really a reiteration of the same old entrenched positions.
re|ject ◆◆◇ (rejects , rejecting , rejected ) The verb is pronounced /r I dʒe kt/. The noun is pronounced /riː dʒekt/. 1 VERB If you reject something such as a proposal, a request, or an offer, you do not accept it or you do not agree to it. □ [V n] The British government is expected to reject the idea of state subsidy for a new high speed railway. ● re|jec|tion /r I dʒe kʃ ə n/ (rejections ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] The rejection of such initiatives indicates that voters are unconcerned about the environment.
2 VERB If you reject a belief or a political system, you refuse to believe in it or to live by its rules. □ [V n] …the children of Eastern European immigrants who had rejected their parents' political and religious beliefs. ● re|jec|tion N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …his rejection of our values.
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