2 → see also artificial respiration
res|pi|ra|tor /re sp I re I tə r / (respirators )
1 N‑COUNT A respirator is a device that allows people to breathe when they cannot breathe naturally, for example because they are ill or have been injured. □ She was so ill that she was put on a respirator.
2 N‑COUNT A respirator is a device you wear over your mouth and nose in order to breathe when you are surrounded by smoke or poisonous gas.
res|pira|tory /re spərətri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ ADJ [ADJ n] Respiratory means relating to breathing. [MEDICAL ] □ …people with severe respiratory problems.
res|pite /re spa I t, -p I t/
1 N‑SING A respite is a short period of rest from something unpleasant. [FORMAL ] □ [+ from ] It was some weeks now since they had had any respite from shellfire.
2 N‑SING A respite is a short delay before a very unpleasant or difficult situation which may or may not take place. [FORMAL ] □ Devaluation would only give the economy a brief respite.
re s|pite ca re N‑UNCOUNT Respite care is short-term care that is provided for very old or very sick people so that the person who usually cares for them can have a break. □ …respite care for their very ill child for short periods.
re|splend|ent /r I sple ndənt/ ADJ If you describe someone or something as resplendent , you mean that their appearance is very impressive and expensive-looking. [FORMAL ] □ [+ in ] Bessie, resplendent in royal blue velvet, was hovering beside the table.
re|spond ◆◆◇ /r I spɒ nd/ (responds , responding , responded )
1 VERB When you respond to something that is done or said, you react to it by doing or saying something yourself. □ [V + to ] They are likely to respond positively to the President's request for aid. □ [V + with ] The army responded with gunfire and tear gas. □ [V with quote] 'Are you well enough to carry on?'—'Of course,' she responded scornfully. □ [V that] The Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs responded that the protection of refugees was a matter for an international organization.
2 VERB When you respond to a need, crisis, or challenge, you take the necessary or appropriate action. □ [V + to ] This modest group size allows our teachers to respond to the needs of each student.
3 VERB If a patient or their injury or illness is responding to treatment, the treatment is working and they are getting better. □ [V + to ] I'm pleased to say that he is now doing well and responding to treatment. SYNONYMS respond VERB 1
answer: I knew Ben was lying when he answered me.
reply: Grace was too terrified to reply.
retort: Was he afraid, he was asked. 'Afraid of what?' he retorted.
re|spond|ent /r I spɒ ndənt/ (respondents ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] A respondent is a person who replies to something such as a survey or set of questions. □ 60 percent of the respondents said they disapproved of the president's performance.
re|sponse ◆◆◇ /r I spɒ ns/ (responses ) N‑COUNT [oft in N ] Your response to an event or to something that is said is your reply or reaction to it. □ [+ to/from ] There has been no response to his remarks from the government. COLLOCATIONS response NOUN
adjective + response : direct, immediate, overwhelming, swift; angry, emotional, lukewarm, positive; appropriate, immune, initial, official
verb + response : draw, elicit, prompt, provoke; require SYNONYMS response NOUN
answer: I don't quite know what to say in answer to your question.
reply: He said in reply that the question was unfair.
retort: His sharp retort clearly made an impact.
re|spo nse time (response times ) N‑COUNT Response time is the time taken for a computer to do something after you have given an instruction. [COMPUTING ] □ The only flaw is the slightly slow response times when you press the buttons.
re|spon|sibil|ity ◆◆◇ /r I spɒ ns I b I l I ti/ (responsibilities )
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you have responsibility for something or someone, or if they are your responsibility , it is your job or duty to deal with them and to take decisions relating to them. □ [+ for ] Each manager had responsibility for just under 600 properties.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you accept responsibility for something that has happened, you agree that you were to blame for it or you caused it. □ [+ for ] No one admitted responsibility for the attacks.
3 N‑PLURAL Your responsibilities are the duties that you have because of your job or position. □ He handled his responsibilities as a counselor in an intelligent and caring fashion.
4 N‑UNCOUNT If someone is given responsibility , they are given the right or opportunity to make important decisions or to take action without having to get permission from anyone else. □ She would have loved to have a better-paying job with more responsibility.
5 N‑SING [usu N to-inf] If you think that you have a responsibility to do something, you feel that you ought to do it because it is morally right to do it. □ The court feels it has a responsibility to ensure that customers are not misled.
6 N‑SING If you think that you have a responsibility to someone, you feel that it is your duty to take action that will protect their interests. □ [+ to/towards ] She had decided that as a doctor she had a responsibility to her fellow creatures. COLLOCATIONS responsibility NOUN
1
adjective + responsibility : individual, overall, personal, sole; corporate, fiscal, legal; full, total
verb + responsibility : assume, bear, shoulder, take; have, share
2
verb + responsibility : accept, admit, claim; deny SYNONYMS responsibility NOUN 1
obligation: When teachers assign homework, students usually feel an obligation to do it.
duty: My duty is to look after the animals.
liability: They have admitted liability but dispute the amount of his claim.
re|spon|sible ◆◆◇ /r I spɒ ns I b ə l/
1 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone or something is responsible for a particular event or situation, they are the cause of it or they can be blamed for it. □ [+ for ] He still felt responsible for her death. □ I want you to do everything you can to find out who's responsible.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are responsible for something, it is your job or duty to deal with it and make decisions relating to it. □ [+ for ] …the minister responsible for the environment.
3 ADJ If you are responsible to a person or group, they have authority over you and you have to report to them about what you do. □ [+ to ] I'm responsible to my board of directors.
4 ADJ Responsible people behave properly and sensibly, without needing to be supervised. □ He feels that the media should be more responsible in what they report. ● re|spon|sibly ADV [ADV with v] □ He urged everyone to act responsibly.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] Responsible jobs involve making important decisions or carrying out important tasks. □ I work in a government office. It's a responsible position, I suppose, but not very exciting.
re|spon|sive /r I spɒ ns I v/
1 ADJ A responsive person is quick to react to people or events and to show emotions such as pleasure and affection. □ Harriet was an easy, responsive little girl. ● re|spon|sive|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ This condition decreases sexual desire and responsiveness.
2 ADJ If someone or something is responsive , they react quickly and favourably. □ [+ to ] Cinnamon is thought to make fat cells more responsive to insulin. ● re|spon|sive|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ to ] Such responsiveness to public pressure is extraordinary.
rest
➊ QUANTIFIER USES
➋ VERB AND NOUN USES
➊ rest ◆◆◇ /re st/
1 QUANT The rest is used to refer to all the parts of something or all the things in a group that remain or that you have not already mentioned. □ [+ of ] It was an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life. □ [+ of ] He was unable to travel to Barcelona with the rest of the team. ● PRON Rest is also a pronoun. □ Only 55 per cent of the raw material is canned. The rest is thrown away.
2 PHRASE You can add and the rest or all the rest of it to the end of a statement or list when you want to refer in a vague way to other things that are associated with the ones you have already mentioned. [SPOKEN , VAGUENESS ] □ …a man with nice clothes, a Range Rover and the rest.
➋ rest ◆◆◇ /re st/ (rests , resting , rested )
→ Please look at categories 18 to 20 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 VERB If you rest or if you rest your body, you do not do anything active for a time. □ [V ] He's tired and exhausted, and has been advised to rest for two weeks. □ [V n] Try to rest the injured limb as much as possible.
2 N‑VAR If you get some rest or have a rest , you do not do anything active for a time. □ 'You're worn out, Laura,' he said. 'Go home and get some rest.'.
3 VERB If something such as a theory or someone's success rests on a particular thing, it depends on that thing. [FORMAL ] □ [V + on/upon ] Such a view rests on a number of incorrect assumptions.
4 VERB If authority, a responsibility, or a decision rests with you, you have that authority or responsibility, or you are the one who will make that decision. [FORMAL ] □ [V + with ] The final decision rested with the President.
5 VERB If you rest something somewhere, you put it there so that its weight is supported. □ [V n prep] He rested his arms on the back of the chair.
6 VERB If something is resting somewhere, or if you are resting it there, it is in a position where its weight is supported. □ [V prep/adv] His head was resting on her shoulder. □ [V n prep/adv] He had been resting his head in his hands, deep in thought.
7 VERB If you rest on or against someone or something, you lean on them so that they support the weight of your body. □ [V prep] He rested on his pickaxe for a while.
8 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] A rest is an object that is used to support something, especially your head, arms, or feet. □ When you are sitting, keep your elbow on the arm rest.
9 VERB If your eyes rest on a particular person or object, you look directly at them, rather than somewhere else. [WRITTEN ] □ [V + on/upon ] As she spoke, her eyes rested on his face.
10 → see also rested
11 PHRASE When an object that has been moving comes to rest , it finally stops. [FORMAL ] □ The plane had plowed a path through a patch of forest before coming to rest in a field.
12 PHRASE If you say that someone can rest easy , you mean that they don't need to worry about a particular situation. □ How can any woman rest easy now, knowing her breast cancer may be misdiagnosed?
13 PHRASE If someone tells you to give something a rest, they want you to stop doing it because it annoys them or because they think it is harming you. [INFORMAL ] □ Give it a rest, will you? We're trying to get some sleep.
14 PHRASE If you say that someone who has died is laid to rest , you mean that they are buried. □ His dying wish was to be laid to rest at the church near his home.
15 PHRASE If you lay something such as fears or rumours to rest or if you put them to rest , you succeed in proving that they are not true. □ His speech should lay those fears to rest.
16 PHRASE If someone refuses to let a subject rest , they refuse to stop talking about it, especially after they have been talking about it for a long time. □ I am not prepared to let this matter rest.
17 PHRASE To put someone's mind at rest or set their mind at rest means to tell them something that stops them worrying. □ A brain scan last Friday finally set his mind at rest.
18 rest assured → see assured
19 to rest on your laurels → see laurel
20 to rest in peace → see peace SYNONYMS rest VERB ➋1
relax: For the first time since his arrival he relaxed slightly.
sleep: I've not been able to sleep for the last few nights.
lie down: Why don't you go upstairs and lie down for a bit? COLLOCATIONS rest NOUN ➋2
adjective + rest : adequate, complete, short, well-earned
verb + rest : deserve, enjoy
re st area (rest areas ) N‑COUNT A rest area is a place beside a motorway or freeway where you can buy petrol and other things, or have a meal. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, use services
re|start /riː stɑː r t/ (restarts , restarting , restarted ) VERB If you restart something that has been interrupted or stopped, or if it restarts , it starts to happen or function again. □ [V n] The commissioners agreed to restart talks as soon as possible. □ [V ] The trial will restart today with a new jury. ● N‑COUNT Restart is also a noun. □ Four minutes after the restart Arsenal doubled their advantage with a wonderful goal.
re|state /riː ste I t/ (restates , restating , restated ) VERB If you restate something, you say it again in words or writing, usually in a slightly different way. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He continued throughout to restate his opposition to violence.
re|state|ment /riː ste I tmənt/ (restatements ) N‑COUNT A restatement of something that has been said or written is another statement that repeats it, usually in a slightly different form. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] I hope this book is not yet another restatement of the prevailing wisdom.
res|tau|rant ◆◆◇ /re stərɒnt, [AM ] -rənt/ (restaurants ) N‑COUNT A restaurant is a place where you can eat a meal and pay for it. In restaurants your food is usually served to you at your table by a waiter or waitress. □ They ate in an Italian restaurant in Forth Street. COLLOCATIONS restaurant NOUN
noun + restaurant : fast food, fish, pizza, seafood; hotel, staff, theatre
adjective + restaurant : fine, gourmet, posh; Chinese, Indian, Italian, Japanese
restaurant + be + adjective : open; closed
verb + restaurant : open, own, run
re s|tau|rant car (restaurant cars ) N‑COUNT A restaurant car is a carriage on a train where passengers can have a meal. [BRIT ] in AM, use dining car
res|tau|ra|teur /re stərətɜː r / (restaurateurs ) N‑COUNT A restaurateur is a person who owns and manages a restaurant. [FORMAL ]
rest|ed /re st I d/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you feel rested , you feel more energetic because you have just had a rest. □ He looked tanned and well rested after his vacation.
rest|ful /re stfʊl/ ADJ Something that is restful helps you to feel calm and relaxed. □ Adjust the lighting so it is soft and restful.
re st home (rest homes ) N‑COUNT A rest home is the same as an old people's home .
re st|ing place (resting places )
1 N‑COUNT A resting place is a place where you can stay and rest, usually for a short period of time. □ The area was an important resting place for many types of migrant birds.
2 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] You can refer to the place where a dead person is buried as their resting place or their final resting place . □ [+ of ] The hill is supposed to be the resting place of the legendary King Lud.
res|ti|tu|tion /re st I tjuː ʃ ə n, [AM ] -tuː -/ N‑UNCOUNT Restitution is the act of giving back to a person something that was lost or stolen, or of paying them money for the loss. [FORMAL ] □ The victims are demanding full restitution.
res|tive /re st I v/ ADJ If you are restive , you are impatient, bored, or dissatisfied. [FORMAL ] □ The audience grew restive. ● res|tive|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ There were signs of restiveness among the younger members.
rest|less /re stləs/
1 ADJ If you are restless , you are bored, impatient, or dissatisfied, and you want to do something else. □ By 1982, she was restless and needed a new impetus for her talent. ● rest|less|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ From the audience came increasing sounds of restlessness.
2 ADJ If someone is restless , they keep moving around because they find it difficult to keep still. □ My father seemed very restless and excited. ● rest|less|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Karen complained of hyperactivity and restlessness. ● rest|less|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ He paced up and down restlessly, trying to put his thoughts in order.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If you have a restless night, you do not sleep properly and when you wake up you feel tired and uncomfortable. □ The shocking revelations of the 700-page report had caused him several restless nights.
re|stock /riː stɒ k/ (restocks , restocking , restocked )
1 VERB If you restock something such as a shelf, fridge, or shop, you fill it with food or other goods to replace what you have used or sold. □ [V n] I have to restock the freezer. □ [V n + with ] The storekeeper is busy restocking his shelves with cucumbers and coconuts. [Also V ]
2 VERB To restock a lake means to put more fish in it because there are very few left. □ [be V -ed + with ] The lake was restocked with roach last year. [Also V n]
Res|to|ra|tion ◆◇◇ /re stəre I ʃ ə n/
1 N‑PROPER The Restoration was the event in 1660 when Charles the Second became King of England, Scotland, and Ireland after a period when there had been no King or Queen.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Restoration is used to refer to the style of drama and architecture that was popular during and just after the rule of Charles the Second in England. □ …a Restoration comedy.
re|stora|tive /r I stɔː rət I v/ (restoratives )
1 ADJ Something that is restorative makes you feel healthier, stronger, or more cheerful after you have been feeling tired, weak, or miserable. □ She opened the door to her bedroom, thinking how restorative a hot bath would feel tonight.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe something as a restorative , you mean that it makes you feel healthier, stronger, or more cheerful after you have been feeling tired, weak, or miserable. □ Seven days off could be a wonderful restorative.
re|store ◆◇◇ /r I stɔː r / (restores , restoring , restored )
1 VERB To restore a situation or practice means to cause it to exist again. □ [V n] The army has recently been brought in to restore order. ● res|to|ra|tion /re stəre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] His visit is expected to lead to the restoration of diplomatic relations.
2 VERB To restore someone or something to a previous condition means to cause them to be in that condition once again. □ [V n + to ] We will restore her to health but it may take time. □ [V n] His country desperately needs Western aid to restore its ailing economy. ● res|to|ra|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] I owe the restoration of my hearing to this remarkable new technique.
3 VERB When someone restores something such as an old building, painting, or piece of furniture, they repair and clean it, so that it looks like it did when it was new. □ [V n] …experts who specialise in examining and restoring ancient parchments. ● res|to|ra|tion (restorations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] I specialized in the restoration of old houses.
4 VERB [usu passive] If something that was lost or stolen is restored to its owner, it is returned to them. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed + to ] The following day their horses and goods were restored to them.
re|stor|er /r I stɔː rə r / (restorers ) N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A restorer is someone whose job it is to repair old buildings, paintings, and furniture so that they look like they did when they were new. □ …an antiques restorer.
re|strain /r I stre I n/ (restrains , restraining , restrained )
1 VERB If you restrain someone, you stop them from doing what they intended or wanted to do, usually by using your physical strength. □ [V n] Wally gripped my arm, partly to restrain me and partly to reassure me.
2 VERB If you restrain an emotion or you restrain yourself from doing something, you prevent yourself from showing that emotion or doing what you wanted or intended to do. □ [V n] She was unable to restrain her desperate anger. □ [V n + from ] She wanted to ask, 'Aren't you angry with him?' But she restrained herself from doing so.
3 VERB To restrain something that is growing or increasing means to prevent it from getting too large. □ [V n] The radical 500-day plan was very clear on how it intended to try to restrain inflation.
re|strained /r I stre I nd/
1 ADJ Someone who is restrained is very calm and unemotional. □ In the circumstances he felt he'd been very restrained.
2 ADJ If you describe someone's clothes or the decorations in a house as restrained , you mean that you like them because they are simple and not too brightly-coloured. [APPROVAL ] □ Her black suit was restrained and expensive.
re|strai n|ing o r|der (restraining orders ) N‑COUNT A restraining order is an order by a court of law that someone should stop doing something until a court decides whether they are legally allowed to continue doing it. [mainly AM , LEGAL ] □ His estranged wife had taken out a restraining order against him.
re|straint /r I stre I nt/ (restraints )
1 N‑VAR Restraints are rules or conditions that limit or restrict someone or something. □ [+ on ] The Prime Minister is calling for new restraints on trade unions.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Restraint is calm, controlled, and unemotional behaviour. □ They behaved with more restraint than I'd expected.
re|strict /r I str I kt/ (restricts , restricting , restricted )
1 VERB If you restrict something, you put a limit on it in order to reduce it or prevent it becoming too great. □ [V n] There is talk of restricting the number of students on campus. □ [V n + to ] …restricting imports to 0.6 billion pounds of sugar per year. ● re|stric|tion /r I str I kʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Some restriction on funding was necessary.
2 VERB To restrict the movement or actions of someone or something means to prevent them from moving or acting freely. □ [V n] The government imprisoned dissidents, forbade travel, and restricted the press. [Also V n from -ing] ● re|stric|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the justification for this restriction of individual liberty.
3 VERB If you restrict someone or their activities to one thing, they can only do, have, or deal with that thing. If you restrict them to one place, they cannot go anywhere else. □ [be V -ed + to ] For the first two weeks patients are restricted to the grounds. [Also V n + to ]
4 VERB If you restrict something to a particular group, only that group can do it or have it. If you restrict something to a particular place, it is allowed only in that place. □ [V n + to ] The hospital may restrict bookings to people living locally.
re|strict|ed /r I str I kt I d/
1 ADJ Something that is restricted is quite small or limited. □ …the monotony of a heavily restricted diet.
2 ADJ If something is restricted to a particular group, only members of that group have it. If it is restricted to a particular place, it exists only in that place. □ [+ to ] Discipline problems are by no means restricted to children in families dependent on benefits.
3 ADJ A restricted area is one that only people with special permission can enter. □ …a highly restricted area close to the old Khodinka airfield.
re|stric|tion ◆◇◇ /r I str I kʃ ə n/ (restrictions )
1 N‑COUNT A restriction is an official rule that limits what you can do or that limits the amount or size of something. □ [+ on ] …the lifting of restrictions on political parties and the news media.
2 N‑COUNT You can refer to anything that limits what you can do as a restriction . □ [+ of ] His parents are trying to make up to him for the restrictions of urban living.
3 → see also restrict SYNONYMS restriction NOUN 1
curb: He called for much stricter curbs on immigration.
limit: There is no limit to how much fresh fruit you can eat in a day.
control: Critics question whether price controls would do any good.
constraint: Water shortages in the area will be the main constraint on development.
re|stric|tive /r I str I kt I v/ ADJ Something that is restrictive prevents people from doing what they want to do, or from moving freely. □ Britain is to adopt a more restrictive policy on arms sales.
re|stri c|tive pra c|tice (restrictive practices ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Restrictive practices are ways in which people involved in an industry, trade, or profession protect their own interests, rather than having a system which is fair to the public, employers, and other workers. [BRIT , BUSINESS ] □ The Act was introduced to end restrictive practices in the docks.
re st room (rest rooms ) also restroom N‑COUNT In a restaurant, theatre, or other public place, a rest room is a room with a toilet for customers to use. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use toilet
re|struc|ture /riː strʌ ktʃə r / (restructures , restructuring , restructured ) VERB To restructure an organization or system means to change the way it is organized, usually in order to make it work more effectively. □ [V n] He has a wide range of business experience and helped me with restructuring the company. [Also V ] ● re|struc|tur|ing (restructurings ) N‑VAR □ 1,520 workers were laid off as part of a restructuring.
re st stop (rest stops )
1 N‑COUNT On a long journey by road, a rest stop is a short period when you stop and leave your vehicle, for example to eat or go to the toilet.
2 N‑COUNT A rest stop is a place beside a motorway or freeway where you can buy petrol and other things, or have a meal. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, use services
re|sult ◆◆◆ /r I zʌ lt/ (results , resulting , resulted )
1 N‑COUNT [oft as a N ] A result is something that happens or exists because of something else that has happened. □ Compensation is available for people who developed asthma as a direct result of their work.
2 VERB If something results in a particular situation or event, it causes that situation or event to happen. □ [V + in ] Fifty per cent of road accidents result in head injuries.
3 VERB If something results from a particular event or action, it is caused by that event or action. □ [V + from ] Many hair problems result from what you eat. □ [V ] Ignore the early warnings and illness could result.
4 N‑COUNT A result is the situation that exists at the end of a contest. □ The final election results will be announced on Friday.
5 N‑COUNT A result is the number that you get when you do a calculation. □ They found their computers producing different results from exactly the same calculation.
6 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Your results are the marks or grades that you get for examinations you have taken. [mainly BRIT ] □ Kate's exam results were excellent. in AM, usually use scores
re|sult|ant /r I zʌ ltənt/ ADJ [ADJ n] Resultant means caused by the event just mentioned. [FORMAL ] □ At least a quarter of a million people have died in the fighting and the resultant famines.
ré|su|mé /re zjʊme I , [AM ] -zʊm-/ (résumés ) also resumé
1 N‑COUNT A résumé is a short account, either spoken or written, of something that has happened or that someone has said or written. □ I will leave with you a resumé of his most recent speech.
2 N‑COUNT Your résumé is a brief account of your personal details, your education, and the jobs you have had. You are often asked to send a résumé when you are applying for a job. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use curriculum vitae
re|sume ◆◇◇ /r I zjuː m, [AM ] -zuː m/ (resumes , resuming , resumed )
1 VERB If you resume an activity or if it resumes , it begins again. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] After the war he resumed his duties at Emmanuel College. □ [V ] The search is expected to resume early today. ● re|sump|tion /r I zʌ mpʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] It is premature to speculate about the resumption of negotiations.
2 VERB If you resume your seat or position, you return to the seat or position you were in before you moved. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] 'I changed my mind,' Blanche said, resuming her seat.
3 VERB If someone resumes , they begin speaking again after they have stopped for a short time. [WRITTEN ] □ [V with quote] 'Hey, Judith,' he resumed, 'tell me all about yourself.' SYNONYMS resume VERB 1
continue: I went up to my room to continue with my packing.
restart: The trial will restart today with a new jury.
carry on: Rachael Carr intends to carry on teaching.
re|sur|face /riː sɜː r f I s/ (resurfaces , resurfacing , resurfaced )
1 VERB If something such as an idea or problem resurfaces , it becomes important or noticeable again. □ [V ] These ideas resurfaced again in the American civil rights movement.
2 VERB If someone who has not been seen for a long time resurfaces , they suddenly appear again. [INFORMAL ] □ [V ] They went into hiding for a few weeks, and resurfaced when the publicity had died down.
3 VERB If someone or something that has been under water resurfaces , they come back to the surface of the water again. □ [V ] George struggled wildly, going under and resurfacing at regular intervals.
4 VERB To resurface something such as a road means to put a new surface on it. □ [V n] Meanwhile the race is on to resurface the road before next Wednesday.
re|sur|gence /r I sɜː r dʒ ə ns/ N‑SING If there is a resurgence of an attitude or activity, it reappears and grows. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] Police say criminals are behind the resurgence of violence.
re|sur|gent /r I sɜː r dʒ ə nt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use resurgent to say that something is becoming stronger and more popular after a period when it has been weak and unimportant. [FORMAL ] □ …the threat from the resurgent nationalist movement.
res|ur|rect /re zəre kt/ (resurrects , resurrecting , resurrected ) VERB If you resurrect something, you cause it to exist again after it had disappeared or ended. □ [V n] Attempts to resurrect the ceasefire have already failed once. ● res|ur|rec|tion /re zəre kʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] This is a resurrection of an old story from the mid-70s.
Res|ur|rec|tion /re zəre kʃ ə n/ N‑PROPER In Christian belief, the Resurrection is the event in which Jesus Christ came back to life after he had been killed.
re|sus|ci|tate /r I sʌ s I te I t/ (resuscitates , resuscitating , resuscitated )
1 VERB If you resuscitate someone who has stopped breathing, you cause them to start breathing again. □ [V n] A policeman and then a paramedic tried to resuscitate her. ● re|sus|ci|ta|tion /r I sʌ s I te I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Despite attempts at resuscitation, Mr Lynch died a week later in hospital.
2 VERB If you resuscitate something, you cause it to become active or successful again. □ [V n] He has submitted a bid to resuscitate the struggling magazine. ● re|sus|ci|ta|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ The economy needs vigorous resuscitation.
re|tail ◆◇◇ /riː te I l/ (retails , retailing , retailed )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Retail is the activity of selling goods direct to the public, usually in small quantities. Compare wholesale . [BUSINESS ] □ …retail stores. □ Retail sales grew just 3.8 percent last year.
2 ADV [ADV after v] If something is sold retail , it is sold in ordinary shops direct to the public. [BUSINESS ]
3 VERB If an item in a shop retails at or for a particular price, it is on sale at that price. [BUSINESS ] □ [V + at/for ] It originally retailed at £23.50.
4 → see also retailing
re|tail|er /riː te I lə r / (retailers ) N‑COUNT A retailer is a person or business that sells goods to the public. [BUSINESS ] □ Furniture and carpet retailers are among those reporting the sharpest annual decline in sales.
re|tail|ing /riː te I l I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Retailing is the activity of selling goods direct to the public, usually in small quantities. Compare wholesaling . [BUSINESS ] □ She spent fourteen years in retailing.
re |tail park (retail parks ) N‑COUNT A retail park is a large specially built area, usually at the edge of a town or city, where there are a lot of large shops and sometimes other facilities such as cinemas and restaurants.
re |tail pri ce in|dex N‑PROPER The retail price index is a list of the prices of typical goods which shows how much the cost of living changes from one month to the next. [BRIT , BUSINESS ] □ The retail price index for September showed inflation was up to about 10.8 per cent. in AM, use cost-of-living index
re |tail the r|apy N‑UNCOUNT Retail therapy is the activity of shopping for clothes and other things in order to make yourself feel happier. [HUMOROUS ] □ There's nothing better than a bit of retail therapy.
re|tain ◆◇◇ /r I te I n/ (retains , retaining , retained )
1 VERB To retain something means to continue to have that thing. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The interior of the shop still retains a nineteenth-century atmosphere.
2 VERB If you retain a lawyer, you pay him or her a fee to make sure that he or she will represent you when your case comes before the court. [LEGAL ] □ [V n] He decided to retain him for the trial. SYNONYMS retain VERB 1
keep: 'I like this dress,' she said. 'Keep it. You can have it,' said Daphne.
reserve: A double room with a balcony overlooking the sea had been reserved for him.
preserve: We will do everything to preserve peace.
maintain: Push yourself to make friends and to maintain the friendships.
re|tain|er /r I te I nə r / (retainers ) N‑COUNT A retainer is a fee that you pay to someone in order to make sure that they will be available to do work for you if you need them to. □ Liz was being paid a regular monthly retainer.
re|tai n|ing wa ll (retaining walls ) N‑COUNT A retaining wall is a wall that is built to prevent the earth behind it from moving.
re|take (retakes , retaking , retook , retaken ) The verb is pronounced /riːte I k/. The noun is pronounced /riː te I k/. 1 VERB If a military force retakes a place or building which it has lost in a war or battle, it captures it again. □ [V n] Residents were moved 30 miles away as the rebels retook the town.
2 N‑COUNT If during the making of a film there is a retake of a particular scene, that scene is filmed again because it needs to be changed or improved. □ The director was dissatisfied with her response even after several retakes.
3 VERB If you retake a course or an examination, you take it again because you failed it the first time. □ [V n] I had one year in the sixth form to retake my GCSEs. ● N‑COUNT Retake is also a noun. □ Limits will be placed on the number of exam retakes students can sit.
re|tali|ate /r I tæ lie I t/ (retaliates , retaliating , retaliated ) VERB If you retaliate when someone harms or annoys you, you do something which harms or annoys them in return. □ [V ] I was sorely tempted to retaliate. □ [V + by ] The Labour leader retaliated by accusing Sturgeon of supporting the Tories. □ [V + against ] The militia responded by saying it would retaliate against any attacks. □ [V + with ] They may retaliate with sanctions on other products if the bans are disregarded. [Also + for ] ● re|talia|tion /r I tæ lie I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ for ] Police said they believed the attack was in retaliation for the death of a gang member.
re|talia|tory /r I tæ liətəri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you take retaliatory action, you try to harm or annoy someone who has harmed or annoyed you. [FORMAL ] □ There's been talk of a retaliatory blockade to prevent supplies getting through.
re|tard (retards , retarding , retarded ) The verb is pronounced /r I tɑː r d/. The noun is pronounced /riː tɑː r d/. 1 VERB If something retards a process, or the development of something, it makes it happen more slowly. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Continuing violence will retard negotiations over the country's future.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a retard , you mean that they have not developed normally, either mentally or socially. [INFORMAL , OFFENSIVE , DISAPPROVAL ] □ What the hell do I want with an emotional retard?
re|tar|da|tion /riː tɑː r de I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Retardation is the process of making something happen or develop more slowly, or the fact of being less well developed than other people or things of the same kind. [FORMAL ] □ …other parents whose children had mental retardation.
re|tard|ed /r I tɑː r d I d/ ADJ Someone who is retarded is much less advanced mentally than most people of their age. [OFFENSIVE , OLD-FASHIONED ] □ …a special school for mentally retarded children.
retch /re tʃ/ (retches , retching , retched ) VERB If you retch , your stomach moves as if you are vomiting. □ [V ] The smell made me retch.
retd retd is a written abbreviation for retired . It is used after someone's name to indicate that they have retired from the army, navy, or air force. □ …Commander J. R. Simpson, RN (retd).
re|tell /riː te l/ (retells , retelling , retold ) VERB If you retell a story, you write it, tell it, or present it again, often in a different way from its original form. □ [V n] Lucilla often asks her sisters to retell the story.
re|ten|tion /r I te nʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [n N ] The retention of something is the keeping of it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] They supported the retention of a strong central government.
re|ten|tive /r I te nt I v/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you have a retentive memory, you are able to remember things very well. □ Luke had an amazingly retentive memory.
re|think /riː θ I ŋk/ (rethinks , rethinking , rethought )
1 VERB If you rethink something such as a problem, a plan, or a policy, you think about it again and change it. □ [V n] Both major political parties are having to rethink their policies. [Also V ] ● re|think|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …some fundamental rethinking of the way in which pilots are trained.
2 N‑SING If you have a rethink of a problem, a plan, or a policy, you think about it again and change it. [JOURNALISM ] □ [+ of/on ] There must be a rethink of government policy towards this vulnerable group.
re|thought /riː θɔː t/ Rethought is the past tense and past participle of rethink .
reti|cent /re t I sənt/ ADJ Someone who is reticent does not tell people about things. □ [+ about/on ] She is so reticent about her achievements. ● reti|cence N‑UNCOUNT □ Pearl didn't mind his reticence; in fact she liked it.
reti|na /re t I nə/ (retinas ) N‑COUNT Your retina is the area at the back of your eye. It receives the image that you see and then sends the image to your brain.
reti|nal /re t I n ə l/ ADJ [ADJ n] Retinal means relating to a person's retina. [TECHNICAL ] □ …retinal cancer.
reti|nue /re t I njuː, [AM ] -nuː/ (retinues ) N‑COUNT An important person's retinue is the group of servants, friends, or assistants who go with them and look after their needs. □ Mind trainers are now part of a tennis star's retinue. [Also + of ]
re|tire ◆◇◇ /r I ta I ə r / (retires , retiring , retired )
1 VERB When older people retire , they leave their job and usually stop working completely. □ [V ] At the age when most people retire, he is ready to face a new career. □ [V + from ] In 1974 he retired from the museum.
2 VERB When a sports player retires from their sport, they stop playing in competitions. When they retire from a race or a match, they stop competing in it. □ [V + from ] I have decided to retire from Formula One racing at the end of the season. [Also V ]
3 VERB If you retire to another room or place, you go there. [FORMAL ] □ [V + to ] Eisenhower left the White House and retired to his farm in Gettysburg.
4 VERB When a jury in a court of law retires , the members of it leave the court in order to decide whether someone is guilty or innocent. □ [V to-inf] The jury will retire to consider its verdict today.
5 VERB When you retire , you go to bed. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] She retires early most nights, exhausted. □ [V + to ] Some time after midnight, he retired to bed.
6 → see also retired , retiring
re|tired /r I ta I ə r d/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A retired person is an older person who has left his or her job and has usually stopped working completely. □ …a seventy-three-year-old retired teacher from Florida.
2 → see also retire
re|tiree /r I ta I ə riː / (retirees ) N‑COUNT A retiree is a retired person. [mainly AM ] □ …retirees who have completely different expectations of what later life might bring.
re|tire|ment ◆◇◇ /r I ta I ə r mənt/ (retirements )
1 N‑VAR [oft N n] Retirement is the time when a worker retires. □ …the proportion of the population who are over retirement age.
2 N‑UNCOUNT A person's retirement is the period in their life after they have retired. □ …financial support for the elderly during retirement.
re|ti re|ment home (retirement homes ) N‑COUNT A retirement home is a place where old people live and are cared for when they are too old to look after themselves.
re|tir|ing /r I ta I ə r I ŋ/
1 ADJ Someone who is retiring is shy and avoids meeting other people. □ I'm still that shy, retiring little girl who was afraid to ask for sweets in the shop.
2 → see also retire
re|told /riːtoʊ ld/ Retold is the past tense and past participle of retell .
re|took /riːtʊ k/ Retook is the past tense of retake .
re|tool /riː tuː l/ (retools , retooling , retooled ) VERB If the machines in a factory or the items of equipment used by a firm are retooled , they are replaced or changed so that they can do new tasks. □ [be V -ed] Each time the product changes, the machines have to be retooled. [Also V n, V ] ● re|tool|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ Retooling, or recasting new toy moulds, is a slow and expensive process.
re|tort /r I tɔː r t/ (retorts , retorting , retorted ) VERB To retort means to reply angrily to someone. [WRITTEN ] □ [V with quote] Was he afraid, he was asked. 'Afraid of what?' he retorted. □ [V that] Others retort that strong central power is a dangerous thing in Russia. [Also V ] ● N‑COUNT Retort is also a noun. □ His sharp retort clearly made an impact.
re|touch /riːtʌ tʃ/ (retouches , retouching , retouched ) VERB If someone retouches something such as a picture or a photograph, they improve it, for example by painting over parts of it. □ [be V -ed] He said the photographs had been retouched. □ [V n] She retouched her make-up.
re|trace /r I tre I s/ (retraces , retracing , retraced ) VERB If you retrace your steps or retrace your way, you return to the place you started from by going back along the same route. □ [V n] He retraced his steps to the spot where he'd left the case.
re|tract /r I træ kt/ (retracts , retracting , retracted )
1 VERB If you retract something that you have said or written, you say that you did not mean it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Mr Smith hurriedly sought to retract the statement, but it had just been broadcast on national radio. □ [V ] He's hoping that if he makes me feel guilty, I'll retract. ● re|trac|tion /r I træ kʃ ə n/ (retractions ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] □ [+ of ] Miss Pearce said she expected an unqualified retraction of his comments within twenty four hours.
2 VERB When a part of a machine or a part of a person's body retracts or is retracted , it moves inwards or becomes shorter. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] Torn muscles retract, and lose strength, structure, and tightness. [Also V n]
re|tract|able /r I træ ktəb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A retractable part of a machine or a building can be moved inwards or backwards. □ A 20,000-seat arena with a retractable roof is planned.
re|train /riː tre I n/ (retrains , retraining , retrained ) VERB If you retrain , or if someone retrains you, you learn new skills, especially in order to get a new job. □ [V ] Why not retrain for a job which will make you happier? □ [V n] Union leaders have called upon the government to help retrain workers. ● re|train|ing N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] □ [+ of ] …measures such as the retraining of the workforce at their place of work.
re|tread /riː tred/ (retreads )
1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If you describe something such as a book, film, or song as a retread , you mean that it contains ideas or elements that have been used before, and that it is not very interesting or original. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] His last book was a retread of tired material.
2 N‑COUNT A retread is an old tyre which has been given a new surface or tread and can be used again.
re|treat ◆◇◇ /r I triː t/ (retreats , retreating , retreated )
1 VERB If you retreat , you move away from something or someone. □ [V prep] 'I've already got a job,' I said quickly, and retreated from the room. [Also V ]
2 VERB When an army retreats , it moves away from enemy forces in order to avoid fighting them. □ [V ] The French, suddenly outnumbered, were forced to retreat. ● N‑VAR Retreat is also a noun. □ In June 1942, the British 8th Army was in full retreat.
3 VERB If you retreat from something such as a plan or a way of life, you give it up, usually in order to do something safer or less extreme. □ [V + from/into ] To save yourself, you sometimes need to retreat from the world. ● N‑VAR Retreat is also a noun. □ [+ from/into ] Downing Street insisted that there would be no retreat from the £26,000 cap on the amount of benefits that any family could claim.
4 N‑COUNT A retreat is a quiet, isolated place that you go to in order to rest or to do things in private. □ He spent yesterday hidden away in his country retreat.
5 PHRASE If you beat a retreat , you leave a place quickly in order to avoid an embarrassing or dangerous situation. □ Cockburn decided it was time to beat a hasty retreat.
re|trench /r I tre ntʃ/ (retrenches , retrenching , retrenched ) VERB If a person or organization retrenches , they spend less money. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] Shortly afterwards, cuts in defence spending forced the aerospace industry to retrench.
re|trench|ment /r I tre ntʃmənt/ (retrenchments ) N‑VAR Retrenchment means spending less money. [FORMAL ] □ Defense planners predict an extended period of retrenchment.
re|tri|al /riː tra I əl/ (retrials ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A retrial is a second trial of someone for the same offence. □ Judge Ian Starforth Hill said the jury's task was 'beyond the realms of possibility' and ordered a retrial.
ret|ri|bu|tion /re tr I bjuː ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Retribution is punishment for a crime, especially punishment which is carried out by someone other than the official authorities. [FORMAL ] □ He didn't want any further involvement for fear of retribution.
re|triev|al /r I triː v ə l/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The retrieval of information from a computer is the process of getting it back. □ …electronic storage and retrieval systems.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The retrieval of something is the process of getting it back from a particular place, especially from a place where it should not be. □ [+ of ] Its real purpose is the launching and retrieval of small aeroplanes in flight.
re|trieve /r I triː v/ (retrieves , retrieving , retrieved )
1 VERB If you retrieve something, you get it back from the place where you left it. □ [V n] The men were trying to retrieve weapons left when the army abandoned the island.
2 VERB If you manage to retrieve a situation, you succeed in bringing it back into a more acceptable state. □ [V n] He is the one man who could retrieve that situation.
3 VERB To retrieve information from a computer or from your memory means to get it back. □ [V n] Computers can instantly retrieve millions of information bits.
re|triev|er /r I triː və r / (retrievers ) N‑COUNT A retriever is a kind of dog. Retrievers are traditionally used to bring back birds and animals which their owners have shot.
ret|ro /re troʊ/ ADJ Retro clothes, music, and objects are based on the styles of the past. [JOURNALISM ] □ …clothes shops where original versions of today's retro looks can be found.
PREFIX retro-
is used to form adjectives and nouns which indicate that something goes back or goes backwards. For example, a retrogressive step returns a situation to a state that is worse than the current one.
retro|ac|tive /re troʊæ kt I v/ ADJ If a decision or action is retroactive , it is intended to take effect from a date in the past. [FORMAL ] □ There are few precedents for this sort of retroactive legislation. ● retro|ac|tive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ It isn't yet clear whether the new law can actually be applied retroactively.
retro|fit /re troʊf I t/ (retrofits , retrofitting , retrofitted ) VERB To retrofit a machine or a building means to put new parts or new equipment in it after it has been in use for some time, especially to improve its safety or make it work better. □ [V n] Much of this business involves retrofitting existing planes. ● N‑COUNT Retrofit is also a noun. □ A retrofit may involve putting in new door jambs.
retro|grade /re trəgre I d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A retrograde action is one that you think makes a situation worse rather than better. [FORMAL ] □ The Prime Minister described transferring education to central government funding as 'a retrograde step'.
retro|gres|sion /re trəgre ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Retrogression means moving back to an earlier and less efficient stage of development. [FORMAL ] □ There has been a retrogression in the field of human rights since 1975.
retro|gres|sive /re trəgre s I v/ ADJ If you describe an action or idea as retrogressive , you disapprove of it because it returns to old ideas or beliefs and does not take advantage of recent progress. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …the retrogressive policies of the National parties.
retro|spect /re trəspekt/ PHRASE When you consider something in retrospect , you think about it afterwards, and often have a different opinion about it from the one that you had at the time. □ In retrospect, I wish that I had thought about alternative courses of action.
retro|spec|tive /re trəspe kt I v/ (retrospectives )
1 N‑COUNT A retrospective is an exhibition or showing of work done by an artist over many years, rather than his or her most recent work. □ The actress will preside over a retrospective of her films.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Retrospective feelings or opinions concern things that happened in the past. □ Afterwards, retrospective fear of the responsibility would make her feel almost faint. ● retro|spec|tive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Retrospectively, it seems as if they probably were negligent.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Retrospective laws or legal actions take effect from a date before the date when they are officially approved. □ Bankers are quick to condemn retrospective tax legislation. ● retro|spec|tive|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ It will be almost impossible to apply the new law retrospectively, meaning that thousands of old cases may go unsolved.
re|tune /riː tjuː n, [AM ] -tuː n/ (retunes , retuning , retuned ) VERB To retune a piece of equipment such as a radio, television, or video means to adjust it so that it receives a different channel, or so that it receives the same channel on a different frequency. □ [V ] Listeners in cars should not have to retune as they drive across the country. □ [V n] The majority of viewers affected will only need to retune existing equipment.
re|turn ◆◆◆ /r I tɜː r n/ (returns , returning , returned )
1 VERB When you return to a place, you go back there after you have been away. □ [V + to/from ] The Prime Minister will return to London tonight. □ [V adv] So far more than 350,000 people have returned home. [Also V ]
2 N‑SING [with poss] Your return is your arrival back at a place where you had been before. □ Ryle explained the reason for his sudden return to London.
3 VERB If you return something that you have borrowed or taken, you give it back or put it back. □ [V n] I enjoyed the book and said so when I returned it. ● N‑SING Return is also a noun. □ [+ of ] The main demand of the Indians is for the return of one-and-a-half-million acres of forest to their communities.
4 VERB If you return something somewhere, you put it back where it was. □ [V n + to ] He returned the notebook to his jacket.
5 VERB If you return someone's action, you do the same thing to them as they have just done to you. If you return someone's feeling, you feel the same way towards them as they feel towards you. □ [V n] Back at the station the Chief Inspector returned the call.
6 VERB If a feeling or situation returns , it comes back or happens again after a period when it was not present. □ [V ] Calm is returning to the country. ● N‑SING Return is also a noun. □ It was like the return of his youth.
7 VERB If you return to a state that you were in before, you start being in that state again. □ [V + to ] Life has improved and returned to normal. ● N‑SING Return is also a noun. □ [+ to ] He made an uneventful return to normal health.
8 VERB If you return to a subject that you have mentioned before, you begin talking about it again. □ [V + to ] The power of the Church is one theme all these writers return to.
9 VERB If you return to an activity that you were doing before, you start doing it again. □ [V + to ] He is 52, young enough to return to politics if he wishes to do so. ● N‑SING Return is also a noun. □ [+ to ] He has not ruled out the shock possibility of a return to football.
10 VERB When a judge or jury returns a verdict, they announce whether they think the person on trial is guilty or not. □ [V n] They returned a verdict of not guilty.
11 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A return ticket is a ticket for a journey from one place to another and then back again. [mainly BRIT ] □ He bought a return ticket and boarded the next train for home. ● N‑COUNT Return is also a noun. □ That's enough Airmiles for two returns to Paris, Amsterdam or Brussels.
12 → see also day return in AM, usually use round trip 13 ADJ [ADJ n] The return trip or journey is the part of a journey that takes you back to where you started from. □ Buy an extra ticket for the return trip.
14 N‑COUNT The return on an investment is the profit that you get from it. [BUSINESS ] □ Profits have picked up this year but the return on capital remains tiny.
15 N‑COUNT A tax return is an official form that you fill in with details about your income and personal situation, so that the income tax you owe can be calculated. □ He was convicted of filing false income tax returns. □ Anyone with complications in their tax affairs is asked to fill in a return.
16 → see also tax return
17 CONVENTION When it is someone's birthday, people sometimes say ' Many happy returns ' to them as a way of greeting them. [FORMULAE ]
18 PHRASE If you do something in return for what someone else has done for you, you do it because they did that thing for you. □ The deal offers an increase in policy value in return for giving up guarantees.
19 PHRASE If you say that you have reached the point of no return , you mean that you now have to continue with what you are doing and it is too late to stop. □ The release of Mr Nelson Mandela marked the point of no return in South Africa's movement away from apartheid.
20 to return fire → see fire ➋ SYNONYMS return VERB
1
go back: I went back to bed.
retreat: The young nurse pulled a face at the Matron's retreating figure.
turn back: They were very nearly forced to turn back.
3
put back: Put it back in the freezer.
replace: Replace the caps on the bottles.
restore: We expect to restore the power supply within two hours.
give back: I gave the textbook back to him.
re|turn|able /r I tɜː r nəb ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Returnable containers are intended to be taken back to the place they came from so that they can be used again. □ All beverages must be sold in returnable containers.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If something such as a sum of money or a document is returnable , it will eventually be given back to the person who provided it. □ Landlords can charge a returnable deposit.
re|turnee /r I tɜː r niː / (returnees ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] A returnee is a person who returns to the country where they were born, usually after they have been away for a long time. □ The number of returnees could go as high as half a million.
re|turn|er /r I tɜː r nə r / (returners ) N‑COUNT A returner is someone who returns to work after a period when they did not work, especially a woman who returns after having children. [BRIT ] □ Many returners are far better at working with people than they were when they were younger.
re|tu rn|ing of|fic|er (returning officers ) N‑COUNT In Britain, the returning officer for a particular town or district is an official who is responsible for arranging an election and who formally announces the result.
re|tu rn match (return matches ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A return match is the second of two matches that are played by two sports teams or two players. [BRIT ] in AM, use rematch
re|tu rn vi s|it (return visits ) N‑COUNT If you make a return visit , you visit someone who has already visited you, or you go back to a place where you have already been once. □ He made a nostalgic return visit to Germany.
re|tweet /riːtwiː t/ (retweets , retweeting , retweeted ) VERB If you retweet something, you copy another user's comment on the Twitter website for your own followers to read. □ [V n] His comments were immediately retweeted by hundreds of people.
re|uni|fi|ca|tion /riː juːn I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT The reunification of a country or city that has been divided into two or more parts for some time is the joining of it together again. □ [+ of ] …the reunification of East and West Beirut in 1991.
re|union /riːjuː niən/ (reunions )
1 N‑COUNT A reunion is a party attended by members of the same family, school, or other group who have not seen each other for a long time. □ The Association holds an annual reunion.
2 N‑VAR A reunion is a meeting between people who have been separated for some time. □ The children weren't allowed to see her for nearly a week. It was a very emotional reunion.
re|unite /riː juːna I t/ (reunites , reuniting , reunited )
1 VERB If people are reunited , or if they reunite , they meet each other again after they have been separated for some time. □ [be V -ed + with ] She and her youngest son were finally allowed to be reunited with their family. □ [V n] She spent years trying to reunite father and son. □ [V ] The band will reunite for this show only.
2 VERB If a divided organization or country is reunited , or if it reunites , it becomes one united organization or country again. □ [be V -ed] …a federation under which the divided island would be reunited. □ [V n] His first job will be to reunite the army. □ [V ] In 1939 the northern and southern churches reunited as the Methodist Church.
re|us|able /riː juː zəb ə l/ also re-usable ADJ Things that are reusable can be used more than once. □ …re-usable plastic containers.
re|use (reuses , reusing , reused ) The verb is pronounced /riːjuː z/. The noun is pronounced /riːjuː s/. VERB When you reuse something, you use it again instead of throwing it away. □ [V n] Try where possible to reuse paper. ● N‑UNCOUNT Reuse is also a noun. □ Copper, brass and aluminium are separated and remelted for reuse.
rev /re v/ (revs , revving , revved )
1 VERB When the engine of a vehicle revs , or when you rev it, the engine speed is increased as the accelerator is pressed. □ [V ] The engine started, revved and the car jerked away down the hill. □ [V n] The old bus was revving its engine, ready to start the journey. ● PHRASAL VERB Rev up means the same as rev . □ [V P n] …drivers revving up their engines. □ [V P ] …the sound of a car revving up.
2 N‑PLURAL If you talk about the revs of an engine, you are referring to its speed, which is measured in revolutions per minute. □ The engine delivers instant acceleration whatever the revs.
Rev. The spelling Rev is also used. Rev. is a written abbreviation for Reverend . [AM ] □ …the Rev John Roberts. in BRIT, use Revd
re|value /riːvæ ljuː/ (revalues , revaluing , revalued )
1 VERB When a country revalues its currency, it increases the currency's value so that it can buy more foreign currency than before. □ [V n] Countries enjoying surpluses will be under no pressure to revalue their currencies. ● re|valua|tion /riːvæ ljuːe I ʃ ə n/ (revaluations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] There was a general revaluation of other currencies but not the pound.
2 VERB To revalue something means to increase the amount that you calculate it is worth so that its value stays roughly the same in comparison with other things, even if there is inflation. □ [V n] It is now usual to revalue property assets on a more regular basis. ● re|valua|tion N‑VAR □ Some banks have used doubtful property revaluations to improve their capital ratios. [Also + of ]
re|vamp /riːvæ mp/ (revamps , revamping , revamped ) VERB If someone revamps something, they make changes to it in order to try and improve it. □ [V n] All Italy's political parties have accepted that it is time to revamp the system. □ [V -ed] …the chef at the newly revamped Albion. ● N‑SING Revamp is also a noun. □ The revamp includes replacing the old navy uniform with a crisp blue and white cotton outfit. ● re|vamp|ing N‑SING □ [+ of ] Expected changes include a revamping of the courts.
re v coun|ter N‑SING A rev counter is an instrument in a car or an aeroplane which shows the speed of the engine. [BRIT ]
Revd Revd is a written abbreviation for Reverend . [BRIT ] □ …the Revd Alfred Gatty. in AM, use Rev.
re|veal ◆◆◇ /r I viː l/ (reveals , revealing , revealed )
1 VERB To reveal something means to make people aware of it. □ [V n] She has refused to reveal the whereabouts of her daughter. □ [V that] A survey of the British diet has revealed that a growing number of people are overweight. □ [V wh] The X-rays reveal how the arrangement of atoms changes. [Also be V -ed as n]
2 VERB If you reveal something that has been out of sight, you uncover it so that people can see it. □ [V n] A grey carpet was removed to reveal the original pine floor. SYNONYMS reveal VERB
1
disclose: Neither side would disclose details of the transaction.
impart: I am about to impart knowledge to you that you will never forget.
divulge: Officials refuse to divulge details of the negotiations.
let on: She never let on that anything was wrong.
2
show: These figures show an increase of over one million in unemployment.
display: It was unlike Gordon to display his feelings.
exhibit: The economy continued to exhibit signs of decline in September.
re|veal|ing /r I viː l I ŋ/
1 ADJ A revealing statement, account, or action tells you something that you did not know, especially about the person doing it or making it. □ …a revealing interview. ● re|veal|ing|ly ADV □ Even more revealingly, he says: 'There's no such thing as failure.'
2 ADJ Revealing clothes allow more of a person's body to be seen than is usual. □ She was wearing a tight and revealing gold dress.
re|veil|le /r I væ li, [AM ] re vəli/ N‑UNCOUNT Reveille is the time when soldiers have to get up in the morning. □ It must be nearly six; soon would be reveille and the end of the night's rest.
rev|el /re v ə l/ (revels , revelling , revelled ) in AM, use reveling , reveled 1 VERB If you revel in a situation or experience, you enjoy it very much. □ [V + in ] Revelling in her freedom, she took a hotel room and stayed for several days.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Revels are noisy celebrations. [LITERARY ]
rev|ela|tion /re vəle I ʃ ə n/ (revelations )
1 N‑COUNT A revelation is a surprising or interesting fact that is made known to people. □ [+ about ] …the seemingly everlasting revelations about his private life.
2 N‑VAR The revelation of something is the act of making it known. □ [+ of ] …following the revelation of his affair with a former secretary.
3 N‑SING If you say that something you experienced was a revelation , you are saying that it was very surprising or very good. □ Degas's work had been a revelation to her.
4 N‑VAR A divine revelation is a sign or explanation from God about his nature or purpose.
rev|ela|tory /re vələtəri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ ADJ A revelatory account or statement tells you a lot that you did not know. □ …Barbara Stoney's revelatory account of the author's life.
rev|el|ler /re vələ r / (revellers ) in AM, use reveler N‑COUNT [usu pl] Revellers are people who are enjoying themselves in a noisy way, often while they are drunk. [LITERARY ] □ Many of the revellers are tourists and British day-trippers.
rev|el|ry /re v ə lri/ (revelries ) N‑VAR Revelry is people enjoying themselves in a noisy way, often while they are drunk. [LITERARY ] □ …New Year revelries.
re|venge /r I ve ndʒ/ (revenges , revenging , revenged )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Revenge involves hurting or punishing someone who has hurt or harmed you. □ [+ on/against ] The attackers took revenge on the 14-year-old, claiming he was a school bully. [Also + for ]
2 VERB If you revenge yourself on someone who has hurt you, you hurt them in return. [WRITTEN ] □ [V pron-refl + on ] The Sunday Mercury accused her of trying to revenge herself on her former lover. □ [V n] …the relatives of murdered villagers wanting to revenge the dead.
rev|enue ◆◇◇ /re vənjuː/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Revenue is money that a company, organization, or government receives from people. [BUSINESS ] □ …a boom year at the cinema, with record advertising revenue and the highest ticket sales since 1980.
2 → see also Inland Revenue SYNONYMS revenue NOUN 1
income: Over a third of their income comes from comedy videos.
profit: The bank made pre-tax profits of £3.5 million.
proceeds: The proceeds from the concert will go towards famine relief.
re v|enue stream (revenue streams ) N‑COUNT A company's revenue stream is the amount of money that it receives from selling a particular product or service. [BUSINESS ] □ The events business was crucial in that it provides a constant revenue stream.
re|verb /riː vɜː r b, r I vɜː r b/ N‑UNCOUNT Reverb is a shaking or echoing effect that is added to a sound, often by an electronic device. □ The unit includes built-in digital effects like reverb.
re|ver|ber|ate /r I vɜː r bəre I t/ (reverberates , reverberating , reverberated )
1 VERB When a loud sound reverberates through a place, it echoes through it. □ [V prep] The sound of the tank guns reverberated through the little Bavarian town. □ [V ] A woman's shrill laughter reverberated in the courtyard.
2 VERB You can say that an event or idea reverberates when it has a powerful effect which lasts a long time. □ [V prep] The controversy continued to reverberate around the television industry. □ [V ] The news sent shock waves through the community that reverberate to this day.
re|ver|bera|tion /r I vɜː r bəre I ʃ ə n/ (reverberations )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Reverberations are serious effects that follow a sudden, dramatic event. □ The move by these two colleges is sending reverberations through higher education.
2 N‑VAR A reverberation is the shaking and echoing effect that you hear after a loud sound has been made. □ [+ of ] Jason heard the reverberation of the slammed door.
re|vere /r I v I ə r / (reveres , revering , revered ) VERB If you revere someone or something, you respect and admire them greatly. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The Chinese revered corn as a gift from heaven. ● re|vered ADJ [usu ADJ n] □ …some of the country's most revered institutions.
rev|er|ence /re vərəns/ N‑UNCOUNT Reverence for someone or something is a feeling of great respect for them. [FORMAL ] □ [+ for ] …showing a deep reverence for their religion.
Rev|er|end /re vərənd/ N‑TITLE Reverend is a title used before the name or rank of an officially appointed religious leader. The abbreviation Rev. or Revd is also used. □ The service was led by the Reverend Jim Simons.
rev|er|ent /re vərənt/ ADJ If you describe someone's behaviour as reverent , you mean that they are showing great respect for a person or thing. □ …the reverent hush of a rapt audience. ● rev|er|ent|ly ADV [usu ADV after v] □ He got up and took the book out almost reverently.
rev|er|en|tial /re vəre nʃ ə l/ ADJ Something that is reverential has the qualities of respect and admiration. [FORMAL ] □ 'That's the old foresters' garden,' she said in reverential tones. ● rev|er|en|tial|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ He reverentially returned the novel to a glass-fronted bookcase.
rev|erie /re vəri/ (reveries ) N‑COUNT A reverie is a state of imagining or thinking about pleasant things, as if you are dreaming. [FORMAL ] □ The announcer's voice brought Holden out of his reverie.
re|ver|sal /r I vɜː r s ə l/ (reversals )
1 N‑COUNT A reversal of a process, policy, or trend is a complete change in it. □ [+ of ] The Financial Times says the move represents a complete reversal of previous U.S. policy.
2 N‑COUNT [n N ] When there is a role reversal or a reversal of roles, two people or groups exchange their positions or functions. □ When children end up taking care of their parents, it is a strange role reversal indeed. [Also + of ]
re|verse ◆◇◇ /r I vɜː r s/ (reverses , reversing , reversed )
1 VERB When someone or something reverses a decision, policy, or trend, they change it to the opposite decision, policy, or trend. □ [V n] They have made it clear they will not reverse the decision to increase prices.
2 VERB If you reverse the order of a set of things, you arrange them in the opposite order, so that the first thing comes last. □ [be V -ed] The normal word order is reversed in passive sentences.
3 VERB If you reverse the positions or functions of two things, you change them so that each thing has the position or function that the other one had. □ [V n] He reversed the position of the two stamps.
4 VERB When a car reverses or when you reverse it, the car is driven backwards. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V ] Another car reversed out of the drive. □ [V n] He reversed his car straight at the policeman. in AM, usually use back up 5 N‑UNCOUNT [usu in/into N ] If your car is in reverse , you have changed gear so that you can drive it backwards. □ He lurched the car in reverse along the ruts to the access road.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Reverse means opposite to what you expect or to what has just been described. □ The wrong attitude will have exactly the reverse effect.
7 N‑SING If you say that one thing is the reverse of another, you are emphasizing that the first thing is the complete opposite of the second thing. □ There is no evidence that spectators want longer cricket matches. Quite the reverse.
8 N‑COUNT A reverse is a serious failure or defeat. [FORMAL ] □ It's clear that the party of the former Prime Minister has suffered a major reverse.
9 N‑SING The reverse or the reverse side of a flat object which has two sides is the less important or the other side. □ Write your address on the reverse of the cheque.
10 PHRASE If something happens in reverse or goes into reverse , things happen in the opposite way to what usually happens or to what has been happening. □ Amis tells the story in reverse, from the moment the man dies.
11 PHRASE If you reverse the charges when you make a phone call, the person who you are phoning pays the cost of the call and not you. [BRIT ] in AM, use call collect SYNONYMS reverse VERB 1
cancel: The Navy has decided to cancel its contract for the A-12 Stealth attack plane.
overturn: His nine-month sentence was overturned by Appeal Court judge Lord Justice Watkins.
undo: If Michael won, he would undo everything I have fought for.
rescind: Trade Union leaders have demanded the government rescind the price rise.
re|ve rse charge ca ll (reverse charge calls ) N‑COUNT A reverse charge call is a phone call which is paid for by the person who receives the call, rather than the person who makes the call. [BRIT ] in AM, use collect call
re|ve rse dis|crimi|na |tion N‑UNCOUNT Reverse discrimination is the same as positive discrimination . □ …a policy of reverse discrimination in favour of children from poor backgrounds.
re|ve rse e n|gi|nee r|ing N‑UNCOUNT Reverse engineering is a process in which a product or system is analysed in order to see how it works, so that a similar version of the product or system can be produced more cheaply. [BUSINESS ] □ Not only did the group acquire reverse engineering skills in the process, it also gained entry into the global market.
re|ve rse gea r (reverse gears ) N‑VAR The reverse gear of a vehicle is the gear which you use in order to make the vehicle go backwards.
re|ve rse vi deo N‑UNCOUNT Reverse video is the process of reversing the colours of normal characters and background on a computer screen, in order to highlight the display. [COMPUTING ]
re|vers|ible /r I vɜː r s I b ə l/
1 ADJ If a process or an action is reversible , its effects can be reversed so that the original situation returns. □ Heart disease is reversible in some cases, according to a study published last summer.
2 ADJ Reversible clothes or materials have been made so that either side can be worn or shown as the outside. □ …a reversible waistcoat.
re|ve rs|ing light (reversing lights ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Reversing lights are the white lights on the back of a motor vehicle which shine when the vehicle is in reverse gear. [BRIT ] in AM, use back-up lights
re|ver|sion /r I vɜː r ʃ ə n/ (reversions )
1 N‑SING A reversion to a previous state, system, or kind of behaviour is a change back to it. □ [+ to ] Most of us learnt to fish as children, and so going fishing is a reversion to a state of uncomplicatedness.
2 N‑VAR The reversion of land or property to a person, family, or country is the return to them of the ownership or control of the land or property. [LEGAL ]
re|vert /r I vɜː r t/ (reverts , reverting , reverted )
1 VERB When people or things revert to a previous state, system, or type of behaviour, they go back to it. □ [V + to ] Jackson said her boss became increasingly depressed and reverted to smoking heavily.
2 VERB When someone reverts to a previous topic, they start talking or thinking about it again. [WRITTEN ] □ [V + to ] In the car she reverted to the subject uppermost in her mind.
3 VERB If property, rights, or money revert to someone, they become that person's again after someone else has had them for a period of time. [LEGAL ] □ [V + to ] When the lease ends, the property reverts to the freeholder.
re|view ◆◆◇ /r I vjuː / (reviews , reviewing , reviewed )
1 N‑COUNT A review of a situation or system is its formal examination by people in authority. This is usually done in order to see whether it can be improved or corrected. □ [+ of ] The president ordered a review of U.S. economic aid to Jordan.
2 VERB If you review a situation or system, you consider it carefully to see what is wrong with it or how it could be improved. □ [V n] The Prime Minister reviewed the situation with his Cabinet yesterday.
3 N‑COUNT A review is a report in the media in which someone gives their opinion of something such as a new book or film. □ We've never had a good review in the music press.
4 VERB If someone reviews something such as a new book or film, they write a report or give a talk on television or radio in which they express their opinion of it. □ [V n] Richard Coles reviews all of the latest film releases.
5 VERB When you review for an examination, you read things again and make notes in order to be prepared for the examination. [AM ] □ [V + for ] Reviewing for exams lets you bring together all the individual parts of the course. □ [V n] Review all the notes you need to cover for each course. [Also V ] ● N‑COUNT Review is also a noun. □ Begin by planning on three two-hour reviews with four chapters per session. [in BRIT, use revise ]
re|vie w board (review boards ) N‑COUNT A review board is a group of people in authority who examine a situation or system to see if it should be improved, corrected, or changed.
re|view|er /r I vjuː ə r / (reviewers ) N‑COUNT A reviewer is a person who reviews new books, films, television programmes, CDs, plays, or concerts. □ …the reviewer for the Times Literary Supplement.
re|vie w|ing stand (reviewing stands ) N‑COUNT A reviewing stand is a special raised platform from which military and political leaders watch military parades.
re|vile /r I va I l/ (reviles , reviling , reviled ) VERB If someone or something is reviled , people hate them intensely or show their hatred of them. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed] He was just as feared and reviled as his tyrannical parents. □ [V n] What right had the crowd to revile the team for something they could not help? ● re|viled ADJ □ He is probably the most reviled man in contemporary theatre.
re|vise /r I va I z/ (revises , revising , revised )
1 VERB If you revise the way you think about something, you adjust your thoughts, usually in order to make them better or more suited to how things are. □ [V n] He soon came to revise his opinion of the profession.
2 VERB If you revise a price, amount, or estimate, you change it to make it more fair, realistic, or accurate. □ [V n] Some of their prices were higher than their competitors' so they revised their prices accordingly.
3 VERB When you revise an article, a book, a law, or a piece of music, you change it in order to improve it, make it more modern, or make it more suitable for a particular purpose. □ [V n + for ] Three editors handled the work of revising the articles for publication. □ [V n] The staff should work together to revise the school curriculum.
4 VERB When you revise for an examination, you read things again and make notes in order to be prepared for the examination. [BRIT ] □ [V + for ] I have to revise for maths. □ [V ] I'd better skip the party and stay at home to revise. in AM, use review
re|vi|sion /r I v I ʒ ə n/ (revisions )
1 N‑VAR To make a revision of something that is written or something that has been decided means to make changes to it in order to improve it, make it more modern, or make it more suitable for a particular purpose. □ The phase of writing that is actually most important is revision. □ [+ of ] A major addition to the earlier revisions of the questionnaire is the job requirement exercise.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft poss N ] When people who are studying do revision , they read things again and make notes in order to prepare for an examination. [BRIT ] □ Some girls prefer to do their revision at home. in AM, use review
re|vi|sion|ism /r I v I ʒən I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Revisionism is a theory of socialism that is more moderate than normal Marxist theory, and is therefore considered unacceptable by most Marxists. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ The reforms come after decades of hostility to revisionism.
re|vi|sion|ist /r I v I ʒən I st/ (revisionists )
1 ADJ If you describe a person or their views as revisionist , you mean that they reject traditionally held beliefs about a particular historical event or events. [FORMAL ] □ …the revisionist interpretation of the French Revolution. ● N‑COUNT A revisionist is a person who has revisionist views. [FORMAL ] □ The reputation of the navigator is under assault from historical revisionists.
2 ADJ If a socialist describes another socialist's actions or opinions as revisionist , they mean that they are unacceptable because they are more moderate than normal Marxist theory allows. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ This revisionist thesis departs even further from Marxist assertions. ● N‑COUNT A revisionist is a person who has revisionist views. [FORMAL ] □ …ferocious infighting between Stalinist hardliners and revisionists.
re|vis|it /riː v I z I t/ (revisits , revisiting , revisited ) VERB If you revisit a place, you return there for a visit after you have been away for a long time, often after the place has changed a lot. □ [V n] In the summer we revisited this lake at dawn.
re|vi|tal|ize /riː va I təla I z/ (revitalizes , revitalizing , revitalized ) in BRIT, also use revitalise VERB To revitalize something that has lost its activity or its health means to make it active or healthy again. □ [V n] This hair conditioner is excellent for revitalizing dry, lifeless hair.
re|viv|al /r I va I v ə l/ (revivals )
1 N‑COUNT When there is a revival of something, it becomes active or popular again. □ [+ of ] This return to realism has produced a revival of interest in a number of artists.
2 N‑COUNT A revival is a new production of a play, an opera, or a ballet. □ [+ of ] …John Clement's revival of Chekhov's 'The Seagull'.
3 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] A revival meeting is a public religious event that is intended to make people more interested in Christianity. □ He toured South Africa organizing revival meetings.
re|viv|al|ism /r I va I vəl I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu adj N ] Revivalism is a movement whose aim is to make a religion more popular and more influential. □ …a time of intense religious revivalism.
re|viv|al|ist /r I va I vəl I st/ (revivalists ) ADJ [ADJ n] Revivalist people or activities are involved in trying to make a particular religion more popular and more influential. □ …the Hindu revivalist party. ● N‑COUNT Revivalist is also a noun. □ Booth was a revivalist intent on his Christian vocation.
re|vive /r I va I v/ (revives , reviving , revived )
1 VERB When something such as the economy, a business, a trend, or a feeling is revived or when it revives , it becomes active, popular, or successful again. □ [V n] …an attempt to revive the British economy. □ [V ] There is no doubt that grades have improved and interest in education has revived.
2 VERB When someone revives a play, opera, or ballet, they present a new production of it. □ [V n] The Gaiety is reviving John B. Kean's comedy 'The Man from Clare'.
3 VERB If you manage to revive someone who has fainted or if they revive , they become conscious again. □ [V n] She and a neighbour tried in vain to revive him. □ [V ] With a glazed stare she revived for one last instant.
re|vivi|fy /riːv I v I fa I / (revivifies , revivifying , revivified ) VERB To revivify a situation, event, or activity means to make it more active, lively, or efficient. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] They've revivified rhythm and blues singing by giving it dance beats.
re|voke /r I voʊ k/ (revokes , revoking , revoked ) VERB When people in authority revoke something such as a licence, a law, or an agreement, they cancel it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The government revoked her license to operate migrant labor crews. ● revo|ca|tion /re vəke I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The Montserrat government announced its revocation of 311 banking licences.
re|volt /r I voʊ lt/ (revolts , revolting , revolted )
1 N‑VAR A revolt is an illegal and often violent attempt by a group of people to change their country's political system. □ It was undeniably a revolt by ordinary people against their leaders.
2 VERB When people revolt , they make an illegal and often violent attempt to change their country's political system. □ [V ] In 1375 the townspeople revolted.
3 N‑VAR A revolt by a person or group against someone or something is a refusal to accept the authority of that person or thing. □ The prime minister is facing a revolt by party activists over his refusal to hold a referendum.
4 VERB When people revolt against someone or something, they reject the authority of that person or reject that thing. □ [V ] Three senior cabinet members revolted and resigned in protest on Friday night. □ [V + against ] Caroline revolted against her ballet training at sixteen.
re|volt|ing /r I voʊ lt I ŋ/ ADJ If you say that something or someone is revolting , you mean you think they are horrible and disgusting. □ The smell in the cell was revolting.
revo|lu|tion ◆◇◇ /re vəluː ʃ ə n/ (revolutions )
1 N‑COUNT A revolution is a successful attempt by a large group of people to change the political system of their country by force. □ The period since the revolution has been one of political turmoil.
2 N‑COUNT A revolution in a particular area of human activity is an important change in that area. □ [+ in ] The nineteenth century witnessed a revolution in ship design and propulsion. SYNONYMS revolution NOUN 1
revolt: It was undeniably a revolt by ordinary people against their leaders.
uprising: …a popular uprising against the authoritarian government.
coup: …a military coup.
rebellion: The British soon put down the rebellion.
revo|lu|tion|ary ◆◇◇ /re vəluː ʃənri, [AM ] -neri/ (revolutionaries )
1 ADJ Revolutionary activities, organizations, or people have the aim of causing a political revolution. □ Do you know anything about the revolutionary movement? □ …the Cuban revolutionary leader, Jose Marti.
2 N‑COUNT A revolutionary is a person who tries to cause a revolution or who takes an active part in one. □ The revolutionaries laid down their arms and their leaders went into voluntary exile.
3 ADJ Revolutionary ideas and developments involve great changes in the way that something is done or made. □ Invented in 1951, the rotary engine is a revolutionary concept in internal combustion. SYNONYMS revolutionary ADJ
1
radical: …threats by left-wing radical groups to disrupt the proceedings.
extremist: …a marked rise in extremist violence.
subversive: This courageous and subversive movie has attracted widespread critical support.
3
innovative: He was one of the most creative and innovative engineers of his generation.
novel: The very idea of a sixth form college was novel in 1962.
radical: The country needs a period of calm without more surges of radical change.
revo|lu|tion|ize /re vəluː ʃəna I z/ (revolutionizes , revolutionizing , revolutionized ) in BRIT, also use revolutionise VERB When something revolutionizes an activity, it causes great changes in the way that it is done. □ [V n] Over the past forty years plastics have revolutionised the way we live.
re|volve /r I vɒ lv/ (revolves , revolving , revolved )
1 VERB If you say that one thing revolves around another thing, you mean that the second thing is the main feature or focus of the first thing. □ [V + around ] Since childhood, her life has revolved around tennis.
2 VERB If a discussion or conversation revolves around a particular topic, it is mainly about that topic. □ [V + around ] The debate revolves around specific accounting techniques.
3 VERB If one object revolves around another object, the first object turns in a circle around the second object. □ [V + around ] The satellite revolves around the Earth once every hundred minutes.
4 VERB When something revolves or when you revolve it, it moves or turns in a circle around a central point or line. □ [V ] Overhead, the fan revolved slowly. □ [V n] Monica picked up her pen and revolved it between her teeth.
re|volv|er /r I vɒ lvə r / (revolvers ) N‑COUNT A revolver is a kind of hand gun. Its bullets are kept in a revolving cylinder in the gun.
re|vo lv|ing doo r (revolving doors )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Some large buildings have revolving doors instead of an ordinary door. They consist of four glass doors which turn together in a circle around a vertical post. □ As he went through the revolving doors he felt his courage deserting him.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] When you talk about a revolving door , you mean a situation in which the employees or owners of an organization keep changing. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ They have accepted an offer from another firm with a busy revolving door.
re|vue /r I vjuː / (revues ) N‑COUNT A revue is a theatrical performance consisting of songs, dances, and jokes about recent events.
re|vul|sion /r I vʌ lʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Someone's revulsion at something is the strong feeling of disgust or disapproval they have towards it. □ …their revulsion at the act of desecration.
re vved u p ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone is revved up , they are prepared for an important or exciting activity. [INFORMAL ] □ My people come to work and I get them all revved up.
re|ward ◆◇◇ /r I wɔː r d/ (rewards , rewarding , rewarded )
1 N‑COUNT A reward is something that you are given, for example because you have behaved well, worked hard, or provided a service to the community. □ [+ for ] He was given the job as a reward for running a successful leadership bid.
2 N‑COUNT A reward is a sum of money offered to anyone who can give information about lost or stolen property or about someone who is wanted by the police. □ [+ for ] The firm offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the robbers.
3 VERB If you do something and are rewarded with a particular benefit, you receive that benefit as a result of doing that thing. □ [be V -ed] Make the extra effort to impress the buyer and you will be rewarded with a quicker sale. [Also V n]
4 N‑COUNT [usu pl] The rewards of something are the benefits that you receive as a result of doing or having that thing. □ [+ of ] The company is only just starting to reap the rewards of long-term investments. COLLOCATIONS reward NOUN
2
adjective + reward : generous
verb + reward : offer, pay
4
adjective + reward : immense, just, rich; financial
verb + reward : reap VERB
3
reward + adverb : amply, handsomely, richly; financially
5
reward + noun : effort, loyalty, patience, persistence SYNONYMS reward NOUN 1
honour: He was showered with honours–among them an Oscar.
prize: You must claim your prize by phoning our claims line.
bonus: …a special bonus payment.
re|ward|ing /r I wɔː r d I ŋ/ ADJ An experience or action that is rewarding gives you satisfaction or brings you benefits. □ …a career which she found stimulating and rewarding.
re|wind (rewinds , rewinding , rewound ) The verb is pronounced /riː wa I nd/. The noun is pronounced /riː wa I nd/. 1 VERB When the tape in a video or tape recorder rewinds or when you rewind it, the tape goes backwards so that you can play it again. Compare fast forward . □ [V n] Waddington rewound the tape and played the message again. □ [V ] He switched the control to the answer-play mode and waited for the tape to rewind.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] If you put a video or cassette tape on rewind , you make the tape go backwards. Compare fast forward . □ Press the rewind button.
re|wire /riː wa I ə r / (rewires , rewiring , rewired ) VERB If someone rewires a building or an electrical appliance, a new system of electrical wiring is put into it. □ [V n] Their first job was to rewire the whole house and install central heating. □ [have n V -ed] I have had to spend a lot of money having my house replumbed and rewired. ● re|wir|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The replumbing and rewiring of the flat ran very smoothly.
re|word /riː wɜː r d/ (rewords , rewording , reworded ) VERB When you reword something that is spoken or written, you try to express it in a way that is more accurate, more acceptable, or more easily understood. □ [V n] All right, I'll reword my question.
re|work /riː wɜː r k/ (reworks , reworking , reworked ) VERB If you rework something such as an idea or a piece of writing, you reorganize it and make changes to it in order to improve it or bring it up to date. □ [V n] See if you can rework your schedule and reduce the number of hours you're on call. ● re|work|ing (reworkings ) N‑COUNT □ [+ of ] Her latest novel seems at first sight to be a reworking of similar themes.
re|wound /riː waʊ nd/ Rewound is the past tense and past participle of rewind .
re|write (rewrites , rewriting , rewrote , rewritten ) The verb is pronounced /riː ra I t/. The noun is pronounced /riː ra I t/. 1 VERB If someone rewrites a piece of writing such as a book, an article, or a law, they write it in a different way in order to improve it. □ [V n] Following this critique, students rewrite their papers and submit them for final evaluation.
2 VERB If you accuse a government of rewriting history, you are criticizing them for selecting and presenting particular historical events in a way that suits their own purposes. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] We have always been an independent people, no matter how they rewrite history.
3 VERB When journalists say that a sports player has rewritten the record books or the history books, they mean that the player has broken a record or several records. □ [V n] …the extraordinary West Country team that have rewritten all the record books in those three years.
4 N‑COUNT In the film and television industries, a rewrite is the writing of parts of a film again in order to improve it. □ Only after countless rewrites did John consider the script ready.
rhap|sod|ic /ræpsɒ d I k/ ADJ Language and feelings that are rhapsodic are very powerful and full of delight in something. [FORMAL ] □ …a rhapsodic letter about the birth of her first baby.
rhap|so|dize /ræ psəda I z/ (rhapsodizes , rhapsodizing , rhapsodized ) in BRIT, also use rhapsodise VERB If you rhapsodize about someone or something, you express great delight or enthusiasm about them. [FORMAL ] □ [V + over/about ] The critics rhapsodized over her performance in 'Autumn Sonata'.
rhap|so|dy /ræ psədi/ (rhapsodies ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] A rhapsody is a piece of music which has an irregular form and is full of feeling. □ …George Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue.
rhe|sus fac|tor /riː səs fæktə r / N‑SING The rhesus factor is something that is in the blood of most people. If someone's blood contains this factor, they are rhesus positive. If it does not, they are rhesus negative.
rheto|ric /re tər I k/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to speech or writing as rhetoric , you disapprove of it because it is intended to convince and impress people but may not be sincere or honest. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ What is required is immediate action, not rhetoric.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Rhetoric is the skill or art of using language effectively. [FORMAL ] □ …the noble institutions of political life, such as political rhetoric and public service.
rhe|tori|cal /r I tɒ r I k ə l, [AM ] -tɔː r-/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A rhetorical question is one which is asked in order to make a statement rather than to get an answer. □ He grimaced slightly, obviously expecting no answer to his rhetorical question. ● rhe|tori|cal|ly /r I tɒ r I kli, [AM ] -tɔː r-/ ADV [ADV with v] □ 'Do these kids know how lucky they are?' Jackson asked rhetorically.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Rhetorical language is intended to be grand and impressive. [FORMAL ] □ These arguments may have been used as a rhetorical device to argue for a perpetuation of a United Nations role. ● rhe|tori|cal|ly ADV □ Suddenly, the narrator speaks in his most rhetorically elevated mode.
rhe|tori|cian /re tər I ʃ ə n/ (rhetoricians ) N‑COUNT A rhetorician is a person who is good at public speaking or who is trained in the art of rhetoric. □ …an able and fiercely contentious rhetorician.
rheu|mat|ic /ruːmæ t I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Rheumatic is used to describe conditions and pains that are related to rheumatism. Rheumatic joints are swollen and painful because they are affected by rheumatism. □ …new treatments for a range of rheumatic diseases.
rheu|^mat|ic fe |ver N‑UNCOUNT Rheumatic fever is a disease which causes fever, and swelling and pain in your joints.
rheu|ma|tism /ruː mət I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Rheumatism is an illness that makes your joints or muscles stiff and painful. Older people, especially, suffer from rheumatism.
rheu|ma|toid ar|thri|tis /ruː mətɔ I d ɑː r θra I t I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-lasting disease that causes your joints, for example your hands or knees, to swell up and become painful.
rheu|ma|tol|ogy /ruː mətɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Rheumatology is the area of medicine that is concerned with rheumatism, arthritis, and related diseases. ● rheu|ma|tolo|gist (rheumatologists ) N‑COUNT □ He was consultant rheumatologist at the nearby hospital.
rheumy /ruː mi/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone has rheumy eyes, their eyes are red and watery, usually because they are very ill or old. [LITERARY ]
Rh fac|tor /ɑː r e I tʃ fæktə r / N‑UNCOUNT The Rh factor is the same as the rhesus factor .
rhine|stone /ra I nstoʊn/ (rhinestones ) N‑COUNT Rhinestones are shiny, glass jewels that are used in cheap jewellery and to decorate clothes.
rhi|ni|tis /ra I na I t I s/ N‑UNCOUNT If you suffer from rhinitis or allergic rhinitis , your nose is very sore and liquid keeps coming out of it. [MEDICAL ]
rhi|no /ra I noʊ/ (rhinos ) N‑COUNT A rhino is the same as a rhinoceros . [INFORMAL ]
rhi|noc|er|os /ra I nɒ sərəs/ (rhinoceroses ) N‑COUNT A rhinoceros is a large Asian or African animal with thick grey skin and a horn, or two horns, on its nose. WORD HISTORY rhinoceros
Rhinoceros came into English via Latin from Greek rhinokerōs , from rhino- , meaning 'of the nose', and keras , meaning 'horn'.
rhi|zome /ra I zoʊm/ (rhizomes ) N‑COUNT Rhizomes are the horizontal stems from which some plants, such as irises, grow. Rhizomes are found on or just under the surface of the earth.
rho|do|den|dron /roʊ dəde ndrən/ (rhododendrons ) N‑VAR A rhododendron is a large bush with large flowers which are usually pink, red, or purple.
rhom|bus /rɒ mbəs/ (rhombuses ) N‑COUNT A rhombus is a geometric shape which has four equal sides but is not a square. [TECHNICAL ]
rhu|barb /ruː bɑː r b/ N‑UNCOUNT Rhubarb is a plant with large leaves and long red stems. You can cook the stems with sugar to make jam or puddings.
rhyme /ra I m/ (rhymes , rhyming , rhymed )
1 VERB If one word rhymes with another or if two words rhyme , they have a very similar sound. Words that rhyme with each other are often used in poems. □ [V + with ] June always rhymes with moon in old love songs. □ [V ] I only write poetry that rhymes. □ [V n + with ] …a singer rhyming 'eyes' with 'realise'. □ [V -ed] …rhymed couplets. [Also V n (non-recip)]
2 VERB If a poem or song rhymes , the lines end with words that have very similar sounds. □ [V ] To make it rhyme he seems to have chosen the first word that came into his head. □ [V -ing] …rhyming couplets.
3 N‑COUNT A rhyme is a word which rhymes with another word, or a set of lines which rhyme. □ [+ for ] The one rhyme for passion is fashion.
4 N‑COUNT A rhyme is a short poem which has rhyming words at the ends of its lines. □ He was teaching Helen a little rhyme.
5 → see also nursery rhyme
6 N‑UNCOUNT Rhyme is the use of rhyming words as a technique in poetry. If something is written in rhyme , it is written as a poem in which the lines rhyme. □ The plays are in rhyme.
7 PHRASE If something happens or is done without rhyme or reason , there seems to be no logical reason for it to happen or be done. □ He picked people on a whim, without rhyme or reason.
rhy m|ing slang N‑UNCOUNT Rhyming slang is a spoken informal kind of language in which you do not use the normal word for something, but say a word or phrase that rhymes with it instead. In Cockney rhyming slang, for example, people say 'apples and pears' to mean 'stairs'.
rhythm ◆◇◇ /r I ðəm/ (rhythms )
1 N‑VAR A rhythm is a regular series of sounds or movements. □ He had no sense of rhythm whatsoever.
2 N‑COUNT A rhythm is a regular pattern of changes, for example changes in your body, in the seasons, or in the tides. □ Begin to listen to your own body rhythms.
rhy thm and blue s N‑UNCOUNT Rhythm and blues is a style of popular music developed in the 1940's from blues music, but using electrically amplified instruments. The abbreviation R&B is also used.
rhyth|mic /r I ðm I k/ or rhythmical /r I ðm I k ə l/ ADJ A rhythmic movement or sound is repeated at regular intervals, forming a regular pattern or beat. □ Good breathing is slow, rhythmic and deep. ● rhyth|mi|cal|ly /r I ðm I kli/ ADV [ADV after v] □ She stood, swaying her hips, moving rhythmically.
rhy thm meth|od N‑SING The rhythm method is a practice in which a couple try to prevent pregnancy by having sex only at times when the woman is not likely to become pregnant.
rhy thm sec|tion N‑SING The rhythm section of a band is the musicians whose main job is to supply the rhythm. It usually consists of bass and drums, and sometimes keyboard instruments.
rib /r I b/ (ribs , ribbing , ribbed )
1 N‑COUNT Your ribs are the 12 pairs of curved bones that surround your chest. □ Her heart was thumping against her ribs.
2 N‑COUNT [n N ] A rib of meat such as beef or pork is a piece that has been cut to include one of the animal's ribs. □ [+ of ] …a rib of beef.
3 VERB If you rib someone about something, you tease them about it in a friendly way. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] The guys in my local pub used to rib me about drinking 'girly' drinks.
4 → see also ribbed , ribbing
rib|ald /r I b ə ld/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A ribald remark or sense of humour is rather rude and refers to sex in a humorous way. □ …her ribald comments about a fellow guest's body language.
ribbed /r I bd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A ribbed surface, material, or garment has a raised pattern of parallel lines on it. □ …ribbed cashmere sweaters.
rib|bing /r I b I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Ribbing is friendly teasing. [INFORMAL ] □ I got quite a lot of ribbing from my team-mates.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Ribbing is a method of knitting that makes a raised pattern of parallel lines. You use ribbing, for example, round the edge of sweaters so that the material can stretch without losing its shape.
rib|bon /r I bən/ (ribbons )
1 N‑VAR A ribbon is a long, narrow piece of cloth that you use for tying things together or as a decoration. □ She had tied back her hair with a peach satin ribbon.
2 N‑COUNT A typewriter or printer ribbon is a long, narrow piece of cloth containing ink and is used in a typewriter or printer.
3 N‑COUNT A ribbon is a small decorative strip of cloth which is given to someone to wear on their clothes as an award or to show that they are linked with a particular organization.
ri b cage (rib cages ) also ribcage N‑COUNT Your rib cage is the structure of ribs in your chest. It protects your lungs and other organs.
ri|bo|fla|vin /ra I boʊfle I v I n/ N‑UNCOUNT Riboflavin is a vitamin that occurs in green vegetables, milk, fish, eggs, liver, and kidney.
rice ◆◇◇ /ra I s/ (rices ) N‑VAR Rice consists of white or brown grains taken from a cereal plant. You cook rice and usually eat it with meat or vegetables. □ …a meal consisting of chicken, rice and vegetables.
ri ce pa|per N‑UNCOUNT Rice paper is very thin paper made from rice plants. It is used in cooking.
ri ce pu d|ding (rice puddings ) N‑VAR Rice pudding is a dessert which is made from rice, milk, and sugar.
rich ◆◆◇ /r I tʃ/ (richer , richest , riches )
1 ADJ A rich person has a lot of money or valuable possessions. □ Their one aim in life is to get rich. ● N‑PLURAL The rich are rich people. □ This is a system in which the rich are cared for and the poor are left to suffer.
2 N‑PLURAL Riches are valuable possessions or large amounts of money. □ A gold medal can lead to untold riches for an athlete.
3 ADJ A rich country has a strong economy and produces a lot of wealth, so many people who live there have a high standard of living. □ There is hunger in many parts of the world, even in rich countries.
4 N‑PLURAL If you talk about the Earth's riches , you are referring to things that exist naturally in large quantities and that are useful and valuable, for example minerals, wood, and oil. □ …Russia's vast natural riches.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] If something is rich in a useful or valuable substance or is a rich source of it, it contains a lot of it. □ [+ in ] Liver and kidney are particularly rich in vitamin A.
6 ADJ Rich food contains a lot of fat or oil. □ Additional cream would make it too rich. ● rich|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] The coffee flavour complemented the richness of the pudding.
7 ADJ Rich soil contains large amounts of substances that make it good for growing crops or flowers in. □ Farmers grow rice in the rich soil.
8 ADJ A rich deposit of a mineral or other substance is a large amount of it. □ …the country's rich deposits of the metal, lithium. ● rich|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the richness of the country's mineral deposits.
9 ADJ [ADJ n] If you say that something is a rich vein or source of something such as humour, ideas, or information, you mean that it can provide a lot of that thing. □ The director discovered a rich vein of sentimentality.
10 ADJ Rich smells are strong and very pleasant. Rich colours and sounds are deep and very pleasant. □ …a rich and luxuriously perfumed bath essence. ● rich|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the richness of colour in Gauguin's paintings.
11 ADJ A rich life or history is one that is interesting because it is full of different events and activities. □ A rich and varied cultural life is essential for this couple. ● rich|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] It all adds to the richness of human life.
12 ADJ A rich collection or mixture contains a wide and interesting variety of different things. □ Visitors can view a rich and colorful array of aquatic plants and animals. ● rich|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …a huge country, containing a richness of culture and diversity of landscape.
13 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that something a person says or does is rich , you are making fun of it because you think it is a surprising and inappropriate thing for them to say or do. [INFORMAL , FEELINGS ] □ Gil says that women can't keep secrets. That's rich, coming from him, the professional sneak.
14 PHRASE If you say that someone is filthy rich or stinking rich , you disapprove of them because they have a lot of money. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ He's stinking rich, and with no more talent than he ever had before. SYNONYMS rich ADJ 1
affluent: Cigarette smoking used to be commoner among affluent people.
prosperous: …the youngest son of a relatively prosperous British family.
wealthy: …a wealthy international businessman.
well-off: My grandparents were quite well-off.
well-to-do: …two well educated girls from well-to-do homes.
-rich /-r I tʃ/ COMB [usu ADJ n] -rich combines with the names of useful or valuable substances to form adjectives that describe something as containing a lot of a particular substance. □ …Angola's northern oil-rich coastline.
rich|ly /r I tʃli/
1 ADV [usu ADV -ed/adj] If something is richly coloured, flavoured, or perfumed, it has a pleasantly strong colour, flavour, or perfume. □ …an opulent display of richly coloured fabrics.
2 ADV [usu ADV -ed/adj] If something is richly decorated, patterned, or furnished, it has a lot of elaborate and beautiful decoration, patterns, or furniture. □ Coffee steamed in the richly decorated silver pot.
3 ADV [ADV before v, ADV -ed] If you say that someone richly deserves an award, success, or victory, you approve of what they have done and feel very strongly that they deserve it. [FEELINGS ] □ He achieved the success he so richly deserved.
4 ADV [ADV before v, ADV -ed] If you are richly rewarded for doing something, you get something very valuable or pleasant in return for doing it. □ It is a difficult book to read, but it richly rewards the effort.
Richter scale /r I ktə r ske I l/ N‑SING The Richter scale is a scale which is used for measuring how severe an earthquake is. □ An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter Scale struck the city yesterday.
rick /r I k/ (ricks , ricking , ricked )
1 VERB If you rick your neck, you hurt it by pulling or twisting it in an unusual way. [BRIT ] □ [V n] Kernaghan missed the United game after he ricked his neck. □ [V -ed] He recovered from a ricked neck. in AM, use wrench 2 N‑COUNT A rick is a large pile of dried grass or straw that is built in a regular shape and kept in a field until it is needed.
rick|ets /r I k I ts/ N‑UNCOUNT Rickets is a disease that children can get when their food does not contain enough Vitamin D. It makes their bones soft and causes their liver and spleen to become too large.
rick|ety /r I k I ti/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A rickety structure or piece of furniture is not very strong or well made, and seems likely to collapse or break. □ Mona climbed the rickety wooden stairway.
rick|shaw /r I kʃɔː/ (rickshaws ) N‑COUNT A rickshaw is a simple vehicle that is used in Asia for carrying passengers. Some rickshaws are pulled by a man who walks or runs in front.
rico|chet /r I kəʃe I , [AM ] -ʃe I / (ricochets , ricocheting , ricocheted ) VERB When a bullet ricochets , it hits a surface and bounces away from it. □ [V prep/adv] The bullets ricocheted off the bonnet and windscreen. [Also V ] ● N‑COUNT Ricochet is also a noun. □ He was wounded in the shoulder by a ricochet.
rid ◆◇◇ /r I d/ (rids , ridding ) The form rid is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle of the verb.
1 PHRASE When you get rid of something that you do not want or do not like, you take action so that you no longer have it or suffer from it. □ The owner needs to get rid of the car for financial reasons.
2 PHRASE If you get rid of someone who is causing problems for you or who you do not like, you do something to prevent them affecting you any more, for example by making them leave. □ He believed that his manager wanted to get rid of him for personal reasons.
3 VERB If you rid a place or person of something undesirable or unwanted, you succeed in removing it completely from that place or person. □ [V n + of ] The proposals are an attempt to rid the country of political corruption.
4 VERB If you rid yourself of something you do not want, you take action so that you no longer have it or are no longer affected by it. □ [V pron-refl + of ] Why couldn't he ever rid himself of those thoughts, those worries?
5 ADJ If you are rid of someone or something that you did not want or that caused problems for you, they are no longer with you or causing problems for you. □ [+ of ] The family had sought a way to be rid of her and the problems she had caused them.
rid|dance /r I d ə ns/ PHRASE You say ' good riddance ' to indicate that you are pleased that someone has left or that something has gone. [FEELINGS ] □ He's gone back to London in a huff and good riddance.
rid|den /r I d ə n/ Ridden is the past participle of ride .
-ridden /-r I d ə n/ COMB -ridden combines with nouns to form adjectives that describe something as having a lot of a particular undesirable thing or quality, or suffering very much because of it. □ He was embracing the cause of debt-ridden and credit-starved farmers.
rid|dle /r I d ə l/ (riddles , riddling , riddled )
1 N‑COUNT A riddle is a puzzle or joke in which you ask a question that seems to be nonsense but which has a clever or amusing answer.
2 N‑COUNT You can describe something as a riddle if people have been trying to understand or explain it but have not been able to. □ [+ of ] Hawking's equation is a clue to the riddle of black holes.
3 VERB If someone riddles something with bullets or bullet holes, they fire a lot of bullets into it. □ [V n + with ] Unknown attackers riddled two homes with gunfire.
rid|dled /r I d ə ld/
1 ADJ If something is riddled with bullets or bullet holes, it is full of bullet holes. □ [+ with ] The bodies of four people were found riddled with bullets.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ with n] If something is riddled with undesirable qualities or features, it is full of them. □ [+ with ] They were the principal shareholders in a bank riddled with corruption.
-riddled /-r I d ə ld/ COMB [usu ADJ n] -riddled combines with nouns to form adjectives that describe something as being full of a particular undesirable thing or quality. □ She pushed the bullet-riddled door open.
ride ◆◆◇ /ra I d/ (rides , riding , rode , ridden )
1 VERB When you ride a horse, you sit on it and control its movements. □ [V n] I saw a girl riding a horse. □ [V ] Can you ride? □ [V + on ] He was riding on his horse looking for the castle. □ [V adv/prep] They still ride around on horses.
2 VERB When you ride a bicycle or a motorcycle, you sit on it, control it, and travel along on it. □ [V n] Riding a bike is great exercise. □ [V + on ] Two men riding on motorcycles opened fire on him. □ [V prep/adv] He rode to work on a bicycle.
3 VERB When you ride in a vehicle such as a car, you travel in it. □ [V + in/on ] He prefers travelling on the Tube to riding in a limousine. □ [V adv/prep] I remember the village full of American servicemen riding around in jeeps.
4 N‑COUNT A ride is a journey on a horse or bicycle, or in a vehicle. □ Would you like to go for a ride?
5 N‑COUNT In a fairground, a ride is a large machine that people ride on for fun.
6 VERB [oft cont] If you say that one thing is riding on another, you mean that the first thing depends on the second thing. □ [V + on ] Billions of pounds are riding on the outcome of the election.
7 → see also riding
8 PHRASE [usu cont] If you say that someone or something is riding high , you mean that they are popular or successful at the present time. □ He was riding high in the public opinion polls.
9 PHRASE If you say that someone faces a rough ride , you mean that things are going to be difficult for them because people will criticize them a lot or treat them badly. [INFORMAL ] □ The Chancellor could face a rough ride unless the plan works.
10 PHRASE If you say that someone has been taken for a ride , you mean that they have been deceived or cheated. [INFORMAL ] □ When he didn't return with my money, I realized I had been taken for a ride.
11 to ride roughshod over → see roughshod
▸ ride out PHRASAL VERB If someone rides out a storm or a crisis, they manage to survive a difficult period without suffering serious harm. □ [V P n] The ruling party think they can ride out the political storm. □ [V n P ] He has to just ride this out and hope that it turns in his favor.
▸ ride up PHRASAL VERB If a garment rides up , it moves upwards, out of its proper position. □ [V P ] My underskirt had ridden up into a thick band around my hips.
rid|er ◆◇◇ /ra I də r / (riders )
1 N‑COUNT A rider is someone who rides a horse, a bicycle, or a motorcycle as a hobby or job. You can also refer to someone who is riding a horse, a bicycle, or a motorcycle as a rider. □ She is a very good and experienced rider.
2 N‑COUNT A rider is a statement that is added to another statement, especially one which contains a change, an explanation, or further information. □ [+ on ] He said he could see no necessity to add any rider on the use of firearms by police. □ [+ to ] America conventionally attaches a rider to any aid, to the effect that it must not be used in certain territories.
ridge /r I dʒ/ (ridges )
1 N‑COUNT A ridge is a long, narrow piece of raised land.
2 N‑COUNT A ridge is a raised line on a flat surface. □ [+ of ] …the bony ridge of the eye socket.
ridged /r I dʒd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A ridged surface has raised lines on it. □ …boots with thick, ridged soles for walking.
ridi|cule /r I d I kjuːl/ (ridicules , ridiculing , ridiculed )
1 VERB If you ridicule someone or ridicule their ideas or beliefs, you make fun of them in an unkind way. □ [V n] I admired her all the more for allowing them to ridicule her and never striking back.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If someone or something is an object of ridicule or is held up to ridicule , someone makes fun of them in an unkind way. □ As a heavy child, she became the object of ridicule from classmates.
ri|dicu|lous /r I d I kjʊləs/ ADJ If you say that something or someone is ridiculous , you mean that they are very foolish. □ It is ridiculous to suggest we are having a romance.
ri|dicu|lous|ly /r I d I kjʊləsli/ ADV [usu ADV adj/adv] You use ridiculously to emphasize the fact that you think something is unreasonable or very surprising. [EMPHASIS ] □ Dena bought rolls of silk that seemed ridiculously cheap.
rid|ing /ra I d I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Riding is the activity or sport of riding horses. □ The next morning we went riding again.
rife /ra I f/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you say that something, usually something bad, is rife in a place or that the place is rife with it, you mean that it is very common. □ Speculation is rife that he will be sacked. □ [+ with ] Hollywood soon became rife with rumors.
riff /r I f/ (riffs )
1 N‑COUNT In jazz and rock music, a riff is a short repeated tune.
2 N‑COUNT A riff is a short piece of speech or writing that develops a particular theme or idea. □ [+ on ] Rowe does a very clever riff on the nature of prejudice.
rif|fle /r I f ə l/ (riffles , riffling , riffled ) VERB If you riffle through the pages of a book or riffle them, you turn them over quickly, without reading everything that is on them. □ [V + through ] I riffled through the pages until I reached the index. [Also V n]
riff-raff /r I f ræf/ also riffraff N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to a group of people as riff-raff , you disapprove of them because you think they are not respectable. [DISAPPROVAL ]
ri|fle /ra I f ə l/ (rifles , rifling , rifled )
1 N‑COUNT A rifle is a gun with a long barrel. □ They shot him at point blank range with an automatic rifle.
2 VERB If you rifle through things or rifle them, you make a quick search among them in order to find something or steal something. □ [V + through ] I discovered him rifling through the filing cabinet. □ [V n] There were lockers by each seat and I quickly rifled the contents.
rifle|man /ra I f ə lmæn/ (riflemen ) N‑COUNT A rifleman is a person, especially a soldier, who is skilled in the use of a rifle.
ri |fle range (rifle ranges ) N‑COUNT A rifle range is a place where you can practise shooting with a rifle.
rift /r I ft/ (rifts )
1 N‑COUNT [oft adj N ] A rift between people or countries is a serious quarrel or disagreement that stops them having a good relationship. □ [+ between ] The interview reflected a growing rift between the President and the government.
2 N‑COUNT A rift is a split that appears in something solid, especially in the ground.
rig /r I g/ (rigs , rigging , rigged )
1 VERB If someone rigs an election, a job appointment, or a game, they dishonestly arrange it to get the result they want or to give someone an unfair advantage. □ [V n] She accused her opponents of rigging the vote.
2 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A rig is a large structure that is used for looking for oil or gas and for taking it out of the ground or the sea bed. □ …gas rigs in the North Sea.
3 N‑COUNT A rig is a truck or lorry that is made in two or more sections which are joined together by metal bars, so that the vehicle can turn more easily. [AM ] in BRIT, usually use articulated lorry 4 → see also rigging
▸ rig up PHRASAL VERB If you rig up a device or structure, you make it or fix it in place using any materials that are available. □ [V P n] Election officials have rigged up speakers to provide voters with music. [Also V n P ]
rig|ging /r I g I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Vote or ballot rigging is the act of dishonestly organizing an election to get a particular result. □ She was accused of corruption, of vote rigging on a massive scale.
2 N‑UNCOUNT On a ship, the rigging is the ropes which support the ship's masts and sails.
right
➊ CORRECT, APPROPRIATE, OR ACCEPTABLE
➋ DIRECTION AND POLITICAL GROUPINGS
➌ ENTITLEMENT
➍ DISCOURSE USES
➎ USED FOR EMPHASIS
➏ USED IN TITLES
➊ right ◆◆◆ /ra I t/ (rights , righting , righted )
→ Please look at categories 17 to 19 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 ADJ If something is right , it is correct and agrees with the facts. □ That's absolutely right. □ Clocks never told the right time. □ The barman tells me you saw Ann on Tuesday morning. Is that right? ● ADV [ADV after v] Right is also an adverb. □ He guessed right about some things. ● right|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ She attended one meeting only, if I remember rightly.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you do something in the right way or in the right place, you do it as or where it should be done or was planned to be done. □ Walking, done in the right way, is a form of aerobic exercise. □ The chocolate is then melted down to exactly the right temperature. ● ADV [ADV after v] Right is also an adverb. □ To make sure I did everything right, I bought a fat instruction book.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that someone is seen in all the right places or knows all the right people, you mean that they go to places which are socially acceptable or know people who are socially acceptable. □ He was always to be seen in the right places.
4 ADJ If someone is right about something, they are correct in what they say or think about it. □ Ron has been right about the result of every General Election but one. ● right|ly ADV □ He rightly assumed that the boy was hiding.
5 ADJ If something such as a choice, action, or decision is the right one, it is the best or most suitable one. □ She'd made the right choice in leaving New York. □ The right decision was made, but probably for the wrong reasons. ● right|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She hoped she'd decided rightly.
6 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something is not right , there is something unsatisfactory about the situation or thing that you are talking about. □ Ratatouille doesn't taste right with any other oil.
7 ADJ [v-link ADJ , usu ADJ to-inf] If you think that someone was right to do something, you think that there were good moral reasons why they did it. □ You were right to do what you did, under the circumstances. ● right|ly ADV [ADV before v] □ The crowd screamed for a penalty but the referee rightly ignored them.
8 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] Right is used to refer to activities or actions that are considered to be morally good and acceptable. □ It's not right, leaving her like this. ● N‑UNCOUNT Right is also a noun. □ At least he knew right from wrong. ● right|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] Many people have very strong opinions about the rightness or wrongness of abortion.
9 VERB If you right something or if it rights itself , it returns to its normal or correct state, after being in an undesirable state. □ [V n] They recognise the urgency of righting the economy. □ [V pron-refl] Your eyesight rights itself very quickly.
10 VERB If you right a wrong, you do something to make up for a mistake or something bad that you did in the past. □ [V n] We've made progress in righting the wrongs of the past.
11 VERB If you right something that has fallen or rolled over, or if it rights itself , it returns to its normal upright position. □ [V n] He righted the yacht and continued the race. □ [V pron-refl] The helicopter turned at an awful angle before righting itself.
12 ADJ [ADJ n] The right side of a material is the side that is intended to be seen and that faces outwards when it is made into something.
13 PHRASE If you say that things are going right , you mean that your life or a situation is developing as you intended or expected and you are pleased with it. □ I can't think of anything in my life that's going right.
14 PHRASE If someone has behaved in a way which is morally or legally right, you can say that they are in the right . You usually use this expression when the person is involved in an argument or dispute. □ She wasn't entirely in the right.
15 PHRASE If you put something right , you correct something that was wrong or that was causing problems. □ We've discovered what's gone wrong and are going to put it right.
16 heart in the right place → see heart
17 it serves you right → see serve
18 on the right side of → see side
➋ right ◆◆◆ /ra I t/ The spelling Right is also used for meaning 3 . 1 N‑SING The right is one of two opposite directions, sides, or positions. If you are facing north and you turn to the right, you will be facing east. In the word 'to', the 'o' is to the right of the 't'. □ Ahead of you on the right will be a lovely garden. ● ADV [ADV after v] Right is also an adverb. □ Turn right into the street.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Your right arm, leg, or ear, for example, is the one which is on the right side of your body. Your right shoe or glove is the one which is intended to be worn on your right foot or hand.
3 N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] You can refer to people who support the political ideals of capitalism and conservatism as the right . They are often contrasted with the left , who support the political ideals of socialism. □ The Tory Right despise him.
4 N‑SING If you say that someone has moved to the right , you mean that their political beliefs have become more right-wing. □ They see the shift to the right as a worldwide phenomenon.
5 PHRASE If someone is at a person's right hand , they work closely with that person so they can help and advise them. □ I think he ought to be at the right hand of the president.
➌ right ◆◆◆ /ra I t/ (rights )
1 N‑PLURAL [usu poss N ] Your rights are what you are morally or legally entitled to do or to have. □ They don't know their rights. □ You must stand up for your rights.
2 N‑SING [usu N to-inf] If you have a right to do or to have something, you are morally or legally entitled to do it or to have it. □ …a woman's right to choose.
3 N‑PLURAL If someone has the rights to a story or book, they are legally allowed to publish it or reproduce it in another form, and nobody else can do so without their permission. □ An agent bought the rights to his life. □ …the film rights of his story in 1957.
4 PHRASE If something is not the case but you think that it should be, you can say that by rights it should be the case. □ She did work which by rights should be done by someone else.
5 PHRASE If someone is a successful or respected person in their own right , they are successful or respected because of their own efforts and talents rather than those of the people they are closely connected with. □ Although now a celebrity in her own right, the actress knows the difficulties of living in the shadow of her famous older sister.
6 PHRASE If you say that you reserve the right to do something, you mean that you will do it if you feel that it is necessary. □ He reserved the right to change his mind.
7 PHRASE If you say that someone is within their rights to do something, you mean that they are morally or legally entitled to do it. □ You were quite within your rights to refuse to co-operate with him.
➍ right ◆◆◆ /ra I t/
1 ADV You use right in order to attract someone's attention or to indicate that you have dealt with one thing so you can go on to another. [SPOKEN ] □ Right, I'll be back in a minute.
2 CONVENTION You can use right to check whether what you have just said is correct. [SPOKEN ] □ They have a small plane, right?
3 ADV You can say ' right ' to show that you are listening to what someone is saying and that you accept it or understand it. [SPOKEN ] □ 'Your children may speak with a bit of a country accent'—'Right.'—'because they're mixing with country children.'
4 → see also all right
➎ right ◆◆◆ /ra I t/
1 ADV [ADV adv/prep] You can use right to emphasize the precise place, position, or time of something. [EMPHASIS ] □ The back of a car appeared right in front of him. □ …a charming resort right on the Italian frontier.
2 ADV You can use right to emphasize how far something moves or extends or how long it continues. [EMPHASIS ] □ …the highway that runs right to the army positions. □ She was kept very busy right up to the moment of her departure.
3 ADV [ADV adv/prep] You can use right to emphasize that an action or state is complete. [EMPHASIS ] □ The candle had burned right down. □ The handle came right off in my hand.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] You can use right to emphasize a noun, usually a noun referring to something bad. [BRIT , INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ He gave them a right telling off.
5 ADV If you say that something happened right after a particular time or event or right before it, you mean that it happened immediately after or before it. [EMPHASIS ] □ All of a sudden, right after the summer, Mother gets married.
6 ADV [ADV adv] If you say I'll be right there or I'll be right back , you mean that you will get to a place or get back to it in a very short time. [EMPHASIS ] □ I'm going to get some water. I'll be right back.
7 PHRASE If you do something right away or right off , you do it immediately. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ He wants to see you right away. □ Right off I want to confess that I was wrong.
8 PHRASE You can use right now to emphasize that you are referring to the present moment. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ I'm warning you; stop it right now!
➏ Right /ra I t/ ADV [ADV adj] Right is used in some British titles. It indicates high rank or status. □ …The Right Reverend John Baker. □ …the Right Honourable Lynn Jones MP.
ri ght an|gle (right angles ) also right-angle
1 N‑COUNT A right angle is an angle of ninety degrees. A square has four right angles.
2 PHRASE If two things are at right angles , they are situated so that they form an angle of 90° where they touch each other. You can also say that one thing is at right angles to another. □ …two lasers at right angles.
ri ght-angled
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A right-angled triangle has one angle that is a right angle. [BRIT ] in AM, use right triangle 2 ADJ [ADJ n] A right-angled bend is a sharp bend that turns through approximately ninety degrees.
ri ght-cli ck (right-clicks , right-clicking , right-clicked ) VERB To right-click or to right-click on something means to press the right-hand button on a computer mouse. [COMPUTING ] □ [V + on ] All you have to do is right-click on the desktop and select New Folder.
right|eous /ra I tʃəs/ ADJ If you think that someone behaves or lives in a way that is morally good, you can say that they are righteous . People sometimes use righteous to express their disapproval when they think someone is only behaving in this way so that others will admire or support them. [FORMAL ] □ Aren't you afraid of being seen as a righteous crusader? ● right|eous|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Both sides in the dispute have been adopting a tone of moral righteousness. ● right|eous|ly ADV □ They righteously maintain that they do not practise rationing.
right|ful /ra I tfʊl/ ADJ [ADJ n] If you say that someone or something has returned to its rightful place or position, they have returned to the place or position that you think they should have. □ This certainly helped Spain take its rightful place in Europe. ● right|ful|ly ADV □ Jealousy is the feeling that someone else has something that rightfully belongs to you.
ri ght-hand ADJ [ADJ n] If something is on the right-hand side of something, it is positioned on the right of it. □ …a church on the right-hand side of the road.
ri ght-hand dri ve ADJ [usu ADJ n] A right-hand drive vehicle has its steering wheel on the right side. It is designed to be driven in countries such as Britain, Japan, and Australia where people drive on the left side of the road.
ri ght-ha nded ADJ Someone who is right-handed uses their right hand rather than their left hand for activities such as writing and sports, and for picking things up. ● ADV [ADV after v] Right-handed is also an adverb. □ I batted left-handed and bowled right-handed.
ri ght-ha nder (right-handers ) N‑COUNT You can describe someone as a right-hander if they use their right hand rather than their left hand for activities such as writing and sports and for picking things up.
ri ght-hand man (right-hand men ) N‑COUNT [usu poss N ] Someone's right-hand man is the person who acts as their chief assistant and helps and supports them a lot in their work. □ The platoon commander's right-hand man is his platoon sergeant.
right|ist /ra I t I st/ (rightists )
1 N‑COUNT If someone is described as a rightist , they are politically conservative and traditional. Rightists support the ideals of capitalism.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone has rightist views or takes part in rightist activities, they are politically conservative and traditional and support the ideas of capitalism.
ri ght-ju stify (right-justifies , right-justifying , right-justified ) VERB If printed text is right-justified , each line finishes at the same distance from the right-hand edge of the page or column. □ [V n] Click this option to right-justify the selected text.
ri ght-minded ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you think that someone's opinions or beliefs are sensible and you agree with them, you can describe them as a right-minded person. [APPROVAL ] □ He is an able, right-minded, and religious man.
righto /ra I toʊ / also right oh EXCLAM Some people say righto to show that they agree with a suggestion that someone has made. [BRIT , INFORMAL , FORMULAE ] □ Righto, Harry. I'll put Russ Clements in charge.
ri ght-of-ce ntre in AM, use right-of-center ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can describe a person or political party as right-of-centre if they have political views which are closer to capitalism and conservatism than to socialism but which are not very extreme. □ …the new right-of-centre government.
ri ght of way (rights of way )
1 N‑COUNT A right of way is a public path across private land.
2 N‑UNCOUNT When someone who is driving or walking along a road has right of way or the right of way , they have the right to continue along a particular road or path, and other people must stop for them.
3 N‑COUNT A right of way is a strip of land that is used for a road, railway line, or power line. [AM ]
ri ght-on ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can describe someone as right-on if they have liberal or left-wing ideas, especially if you disagree with them or want to make fun of them. □ The people that come to watch the play are all those right-on left-wing sort of people.
ri ghts i s|sue (rights issues ) N‑COUNT A rights issue is when a company offers shares at a reduced price to people who already have shares in the company. [BUSINESS ]
ri ght-thinking ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you think that someone's opinions or beliefs are sensible and you agree with them, you can describe them as a right-thinking person. [APPROVAL ] □ Every right-thinking American would be proud of them.
ri ght to li fe N‑SING [oft N n] When people talk about an unborn baby's right to life , they mean that a baby has the right to be born, even if it has a severe disability or if its mother does not want it. □ …the Right to Life Campaign.
ri ght tri |an|gle (right triangles ) N‑COUNT A right triangle has one angle that is a right angle. [AM ] in BRIT, use right-angled triangle
right|ward /ra I twə r d/ also rightwards ADJ [ADJ n] If there is a rightward trend in the politics of a person or party, their views become more right-wing. □ The result reflects a modest rightward shift in opinion. ● ADV [ADV after v] Rightward is also an adverb. □ He continued to urge the Conservative Party to tilt rightwards.
ri ght-wi ng ◆◇◇ The spelling right wing is used for meaning 2 . 1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A right-wing person or group has conservative or capitalist views. □ …a right-wing government.
2 N‑SING The right wing of a political party consists of the members who have the most conservative or the most capitalist views. □ [+ of ] …the right wing of the Conservative Party. SYNONYMS right-wing ADJ 1
conservative: …counties whose citizens invariably support the most conservative candidate in any election.
Tory: …the constituency with the largest Tory majority in the country.
traditionalist: My father is a real traditionalist.
reactionary: Critics viewed him as a reactionary.
ri ght-winger (right-wingers ) N‑COUNT If you think someone has views which are more right-wing than most other members of their party, you can say they are a right-winger .
righty /ra I t I / (righties ) also rightie
1 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a righty , you mean that they have conservative or capitalist views. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Bob is a moderate Republican but he has to keep the righties happy.
2 N‑COUNT A righty is someone, especially a sports player, who is right-handed. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ I had a bit of trouble getting used to a serve coming from a righty.
rig|id /r I dʒ I d/
1 ADJ Laws, rules, or systems that are rigid cannot be changed or varied, and are therefore considered to be rather severe. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Several colleges in our study have rigid rules about student conduct. ● ri|gid|ity /r I dʒ I d I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the rigidity of government policy. ● rig|id|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The caste system was rigidly enforced.
2 ADJ If you disapprove of someone because you think they are not willing to change their way of thinking or behaving, you can describe them as rigid . [DISAPPROVAL ] □ She was a fairly rigid person who had strong religious views.
3 ADJ A rigid substance or object is stiff and does not bend, stretch, or twist easily. □ …rigid plastic containers. ● ri|gid|ity N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the strength and rigidity of glass.
rig|ma|role /r I gməroʊl/ (rigmaroles ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can describe a long and complicated process as a rigmarole . [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Then the whole rigmarole starts over again.
ri|gor /r I gə r / → see rigour
ri|gor mor|tis /r I gə r mɔː r t I s/ N‑UNCOUNT In a dead body, when rigor mortis sets in, the joints and muscles become very stiff.
rig|or|ous /r I gərəs/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A test, system, or procedure that is rigorous is very thorough and strict. □ The selection process is based on rigorous tests of competence and experience. ● rig|or|ous|ly ADV □ …rigorously conducted research.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is rigorous in the way that they do something, they are very careful and thorough. □ [+ in ] He is rigorous in his control of expenditure.
rig|our /r I gə r / (rigours ) in AM, use rigor 1 N‑PLURAL If you refer to the rigours of an activity or job, you mean the difficult, demanding, or unpleasant things that are associated with it. □ [+ of ] He found the rigours of the tour too demanding.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If something is done with rigour , it is done in a strict, thorough way. □ The new current affairs series addresses challenging issues with freshness and rigour.
rile /ra I l/ (riles , riling , riled ) VERB If something riles you, it makes you angry. □ [V n] Cancellations and late departures rarely rile him. ● riled ADJ □ He saw I was riled.
Riley /ra I li/ also Reilly PHRASE If you say that someone is living the life of Riley , you mean that they have a very easy and comfortable life with few worries.
rim /r I m/ (rims )
1 N‑COUNT The rim of a container such as a cup or glass is the edge that goes all the way round the top. □ [+ of ] She looked at him over the rim of her glass.
2 N‑COUNT The rim of a circular object is its outside edge. □ …a round mirror with white metal rim.
3 → see also rimmed , -rimmed
rim|less /r I mləs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Rimless glasses are glasses which have no frame around the lenses or which have a frame only along the top of the lenses.
rimmed /r I md/
1 ADJ If something is rimmed with a substance or colour, it has that substance or colour around its border. □ The plates and glassware were rimmed with gold.
2 → see also rim , -rimmed
-rimmed /-r I md/
1 COMB -rimmed combines with nouns to form adjectives that describe something as having a border or frame made of a particular substance. □ …horn-rimmed spectacles.
2 → see also rim , rimmed
rind /ra I nd/ (rinds )
1 N‑VAR The rind of a fruit such as a lemon or orange is its thick outer skin. □ …grated lemon rind.
2 N‑VAR The rind of cheese or bacon is the hard outer edge which you do not usually eat. □ Discard the bacon rind and cut each rasher in half.
ring
➊ TELEPHONING OR MAKING A SOUND
➋ SHAPES AND GROUPS
➊ ring ◆◆◇ /r I ŋ/ (rings , ringing , rang , rung )
→ Please look at category 12 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 VERB When you ring someone, you phone them. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n] He rang me at my mother's. □ [V ] I would ring when I got back to the hotel. □ [V adv] She has rung home just once. □ [V + for ] Could someone ring for a taxi? ● PHRASAL VERB Ring up means the same as ring . □ [V n P ] You can ring us up anytime. □ [V P ] John rang up and invited himself over for dinner. □ [V P + about ] A few months ago I rang up about some housing problems. □ [V P n] Nobody rings up a doctor in the middle of the night for no reason. [in AM, usually use call ]
2 VERB When a phone rings , it makes a sound to let you know that someone is phoning you. □ [V ] As soon as he got home, the phone rang. ● N‑COUNT Ring is also a noun. □ After at least eight rings, an ancient-sounding maid answered the phone. ● ring|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] She was jolted out of her sleep by the ringing of the phone.
3 VERB When you ring a bell or when a bell rings , it makes a sound. □ [V ] He heard the school bell ring. □ [V n] The door was opened before she could ring the bell. ● N‑COUNT Ring is also a noun. □ There was a ring at the bell. ● ring|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the ringing of church bells.
4 VERB If you ring for something, you ring a bell to call someone to bring it to you. If you ring for someone, you ring a bell so that they will come to you. □ [V + for ] Shall I ring for a fresh pot of tea?
5 VERB If you say that a place is ringing with sound, usually pleasant sound, you mean that the place is completely filled with that sound. [LITERARY ] □ [V + with ] The whole place was ringing with music. [Also V ]
6 N‑SING You can use ring to describe a quality that something such as a statement, discussion, or argument seems to have. For example, if an argument has a familiar ring , it seems familiar. □ His proud boast of leading 'the party of low taxation' has a hollow ring.
7 PHRASE If you say that someone rings the changes , you mean that they make changes or improvements to the way something is organized or done. □ Ring the changes by adding spices, dried fruit or olives.
8 PHRASE If you say that someone's words ring in your ears or ring in your head , you mean that you remember them very clearly, usually when you would prefer to forget them. [LITERARY ] □ She shivered as the sound of that man's abuse rang in her ears.
9 PHRASE If you give someone a ring , you phone them. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ We'll give him a ring as soon as we get back. in AM, usually use call
10 PHRASE If a statement rings true , it seems to be true or genuine. If it rings hollow , it does not seem to be true or genuine. □ Joanna's denial rang true. □ The rumpus has made all the optimistic statements about unity and harmony ring a little hollow.
11 → see also ringing
12 to ring a bell → see bell
▸ ring around → see ring round
▸ ring back PHRASAL VERB [no passive] If you ring someone back , you phone them either because they phoned you earlier and you were not there or because you did not finish an earlier phone conversation. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P ] Tell her I'll ring back in a few minutes. □ [V n P ] If there's any problem I'll ring you back. in AM, usually use call back
▸ ring in PHRASAL VERB If you ring in , you phone a place, such as the place where you work. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P ] Cecil wasn't there, having rung in to say he was taking the day off. in AM, usually use call in
▸ ring off PHRASAL VERB When you ring off , you put down the receiver at the end of a phone call. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P ] She had rung off before he could press her for an answer. in AM, usually use hang up
▸ ring out PHRASAL VERB If a sound rings out , it can be heard loudly and clearly. □ [V P ] A single shot rang out.
▸ ring round or ring around PHRASAL VERB If you ring round or ring around , you phone several people, usually when you are trying to organize something or to find some information. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V P ] She'd ring around and get back to me. □ [V P n] She immediately started ringing round her friends and relatives. in AM, usually use call around
▸ ring up
1 → see ring ➊ 1
2 PHRASAL VERB If a shop assistant rings up a sale on a cash register, he or she presses the keys in order to record the amount that is being spent. □ [V P n] She was ringing up her sale on an ancient cash register. [Also V n P ]
3 PHRASAL VERB If a company rings up an amount of money, usually a large amount of money, it makes that amount of money in sales or profits. □ [V P n] The advertising agency rang up 1.4 billion dollars in yearly sales.
➋ ring ◆◇◇ /r I ŋ/ (rings , ringing , ringed )
1 N‑COUNT A ring is a small circle of metal or other substance that you wear on your finger as jewellery. □ …a gold wedding ring.
2 N‑COUNT An object or substance that is in the shape of a circle can be described as a ring . □ [+ of ] Frank took a large ring of keys from his pocket. □ [+ of ] …a ring of blue smoke.
3 N‑COUNT A group of people or things arranged in a circle can be described as a ring . □ They then formed a ring around the square.
4 N‑COUNT A gas or electric ring is one of the small flat areas on top of a stove which heat up and which you use for cooking. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use burner 5 N‑COUNT At a boxing or wrestling match or a circus, the ring is the place where the contest or performance takes place. It consists of an enclosed space with seats round it. □ He will never again be allowed inside a British boxing ring.
6 N‑COUNT [usu n N ] You can refer to an organized group of people who are involved in an illegal activity as a ring . □ They exposed a smuggling ring trading in illegal elephants.
7 VERB [usu passive] If a building or place is ringed with or by something, it is surrounded by it. □ [be V -ed] The areas are sealed off and ringed by troops.
8 PHRASE If you say that someone runs rings round you or runs rings around you, you mean that they are a lot better or a lot more successful than you at a particular activity. [INFORMAL ] □ Mentally, he can still run rings round men half his age!
ri ng bind|er (ring binders ) N‑COUNT A ring binder is a file with hard covers, which you can insert pages into. The pages are held in by metal rings on a bar attached to the inside of the file.
ring|er /r I ŋə r / (ringers )
1 PHRASE If you say that one person is a ringer or a dead ringer for another, you mean that they look exactly like each other. [INFORMAL ]
2 N‑COUNT A bell ringer is someone who rings church bells or hand bells as a hobby. [mainly BRIT ]
ri ng-fence (ring-fences , ring-fencing , ring-fenced ) VERB To ring-fence a grant or fund means to put restrictions on it, so that it can only be used for a particular purpose. [BRIT ] □ [V n] The Treasury has now agreed to ring-fence the money to ensure that it goes directly towards helping elderly people.
ri ng fin|ger (ring fingers ) N‑COUNT Your ring finger is the third finger of your left or right hand, without counting your thumb. In some countries, people wear a ring on this finger to show that they are engaged or married.
ring|ing /r I ŋ I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A ringing sound is loud and can be heard very clearly. □ He hit the metal steps with a ringing crash.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] A ringing statement or declaration is one that is made forcefully and is intended to make a powerful impression. □ …the party's 14th Congress, which gave a ringing endorsement to capitalist-style economic reforms.
ring|leader /r I ŋliːdə r / (ringleaders ) N‑COUNT The ringleaders in a quarrel, disturbance, or illegal activity are the people who started it and who cause most of the trouble. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The soldiers were well informed about the ringleaders of the protest.
ring|let /r I ŋlət/ (ringlets ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Ringlets are long curls of hair that hang down.
ring|master /r I ŋmɑːstə r , -mæst-/ (ringmasters ) N‑COUNT A circus ringmaster is the person who introduces the performers and the animals.
ri ng-pull (ring-pulls ) N‑COUNT A ring-pull is a metal strip that you pull off the top of a can of drink in order to open it. [BRIT ] in AM, use tab
ri ng road (ring roads ) N‑COUNT A ring road is a road that goes round the edge of a town so that traffic does not have to go through the town centre. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use beltway
ring|side /r I ŋsa I d/
1 N‑SING The ringside is the area around the edge of a circus ring, boxing ring, or show jumping ring. □ Most of the top British trainers were at the ringside.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you have a ringside seat or a ringside view, you are close to an event and can see it clearly. □ I had a ringside seat for the whole performance.
ri ng tone (ring tones ) N‑COUNT The ring tone is the sound made by a phone when it rings. □ They offer 70 hours' standby time, 2hr 50min talk time, and 15 ring tones.
ring|worm /r I ŋwɜː r m/ N‑UNCOUNT Ringworm is a skin disease caused by a fungus. It produces itchy red patches on a person's or animal's skin, especially on their head and between their legs and toes. [MEDICAL ]
rink /r I ŋk/ (rinks ) N‑COUNT A rink is a large area covered with ice where people go to ice-skate, or a large area of concrete where people go to roller-skate. □ The other skaters were ordered off the rink.
rinse /r I ns/ (rinses , rinsing , rinsed )
1 VERB When you rinse something, you wash it in clean water in order to remove dirt or soap from it. □ [V n] It's important to rinse the rice to remove the starch. ● N‑COUNT Rinse is also a noun. □ A quick rinse isn't sufficient. Use plenty of running water to wash away all traces of shampoo.
2 VERB If you rinse your mouth, you wash it by filling your mouth with water or with a liquid that kills germs, then spitting it out. □ [V n] Use a toothbrush on your tongue as well, and rinse your mouth frequently. ● PHRASAL VERB Rinse out means the same as rinse . □ [V P n] After her meal she invariably rinsed out her mouth. □ [V n P ] You should rinse your mouth out after eating. ● N‑VAR Rinse is also a noun. □ …mouth rinses with fluoride.
riot ◆◇◇ /ra I ət/ (riots , rioting , rioted )
1 N‑COUNT When there is a riot , a crowd of people behave violently in a public place, for example they fight, throw stones, or damage buildings and vehicles. □ Twelve inmates have been killed during a riot at the prison.
2 VERB If people riot , they behave violently in a public place. □ [V ] Last year 600 inmates rioted, starting fires and building barricades. ● ri|ot|er (rioters ) N‑COUNT □ The militia dispersed the rioters. ● ri|ot|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ At least fifteen people are now known to have died in three days of rioting.
3 N‑SING If you say that there is a riot of something pleasant such as colour, you mean that there is a large amount of various types of it. [APPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] All the cacti were in flower, so that the desert was a riot of colour.
4 PHRASE If someone in authority reads you the riot act , they tell you that you will be punished unless you start behaving properly. □ I'm glad you read the riot act to Billy. He's still a kid and still needs to be told what to do.
5 PHRASE If people run riot , they behave in a wild and uncontrolled manner. □ Rampaging prisoners ran riot through the jail.
6 PHRASE If something such as your imagination runs riot , it is not limited or controlled, and produces ideas that are new or exciting, rather than sensible. □ A conservatory offers the perfect excuse to let your imagination run riot. SYNONYMS riot NOUN 1
disturbance: During the disturbance which followed, three people were hurt.
disorder: He called on the authorities to stop public disorder.
commotion: He heard a commotion outside.
ri ot gear N‑UNCOUNT Riot gear is the special clothing and equipment worn by police officers or soldiers when they have to deal with a riot.
ri|ot|ous /ra I ətəs/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that someone has a riotous lifestyle, you mean that they frequently behave in a excessive and uncontrolled way, for example by eating or drinking too much. [FORMAL ] □ …aristocrats who wasted their inheritances in riotous living.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can describe someone's behaviour or an event as riotous when it is noisy and lively in a rather wild way. □ The dinner was often a riotous affair enlivened by superbly witty speeches. ● ri|ot|ous|ly ADV [ADV adj/-ed] □ …a slapstick affair which I found riotously amusing.
ri ot po|lice N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] The riot police is the section of the police force that is trained to deal with people who cause trouble in public places. □ After about 10 minutes the riot police arrived.
ri ot shield (riot shields ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Riot shields are pieces of equipment made of transparent plastic which are used by the police to protect themselves against angry crowds.
rip /r I p/ (rips , ripping , ripped )
1 VERB When something rips or when you rip it, you tear it forcefully with your hands or with a tool such as a knife. □ [V ] I felt the banner rip as we were pushed in opposite directions. □ [V n] I tried not to rip the paper as I unwrapped it.
2 N‑COUNT A rip is a long cut or split in something made of cloth or paper. □ [+ in ] Looking at the rip in her new dress, she flew into a rage.
3 VERB If you rip something away, you remove it quickly and forcefully. □ [V n with adv] He ripped away a wire that led to the alarm button. □ [V n prep] He ripped the phone from her hand.
ТЕЛЕГРАМКанал с обзорами, анонсами новинок и книжными подборками
Книжный Вестник
Бот для удобного поиска книг (если не нашлось на сайте)
Поиск книг
Свежие любовные романы в удобных форматах
Любовные романы
Детективы и триллеры, все новинки
Детективы
Фантастика и фэнтези, все новинки
Фантастика
Отборные классические книги
Классика
ВКОНТАКТЕБиблиотека с любовными романами, которая наверняка придётся по вкусу женской части аудитории
Любовные романы
Библиотека с фантастикой и фэнтези, а также смежных жанров
Фантастика
Самые популярные книги в формате фб2
Топ фб2
книги