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QUOTIENT, kw[=o]'shent, _n._ (_math._) the number which shows how often one number is contained in another.--_n._ QU[=O]T[=I]'ETY, the proportionate frequency of an event. [Fr.,--L. _quotiens_, _quoties_, how often?--_quot_, how many?]

QUOTUM, kw[=o]'tum, _n._ quota: share: part or proportion. [L., neut. of _quotus_; cf. _Quota_.]

QUO WARRANTO, kw[=o] wo-ran'to, _n._ (_law_) the title of a writ by which a person or corporate body is summoned to show by what warrant a particular franchise or office is claimed. [So called from these words in the writ. L.

_quo_, by what (abl. sing. neut. of _quis_, who, which, what), _warranto_, abl. of Low L. _warrantum_, warrant.]

R the eighteenth letter in our alphabet, belonging to the class of liquids--the 'dog's letter' (_littera canina_), from the trilling or vibration of the tip of the tongue: as a medieval numeral=80; [=R]=80,000.--THE THREE R'S, a humorous term for reading, writing, and arithmetic.

RA, ra, _n._ the supreme sun-god of the Memphite system of ancient Egyptian mythology.

RABANNA, ra-ban'a, _n._ matting made from the fibre of the raffia, in Madagascar. [Malagasy.]

RABAT, ra-ba', _n._ a neck-band with flaps worn by French ecclesiastics: a turned-down collar or ruff--(_obs._) RAB'ATINE, RAB[=A]'TO. [Fr.]

RABATE, ra-b[=a]t', _v.t._ to beat down.--_n._ abatement. [Fr. _rabattre_, to beat down--_re-_, again, _abattre_--L. _ad_, to, _batu[)e]re_, to beat.]

RABBET, rab'et, _n._ a groove cut in the edge of a plank so that another may fit into it.--_v.t._ to groove a plank thus.--_ns._ RABB'ETING-MACHINE', -PLANE, -SAW, for ploughing and cutting grooves; RABB'ET-JOINT, a joint formed by fitting together timber with rabbets. [O.

Fr. _raboter_, to plane--_rabouter_--_re-_, again, _aboter_, _abouter_, to thrust against.]

RABBI, rab'i, or rab'[=i], RABBIN, rab'in, _n._ Jewish title of a doctor or expounder of the law:--_pl._ RABBIS (rab'[=i]z), RABB'INS.--_ns._ RABB'AN ('our master'), a title of greater honour than rabbi; RABB'INATE, the dignity of a rabbi.--_adjs._ RABBIN'IC, -AL, pertaining to the rabbis or to their opinions, learning, and language.--_n._ RABBIN'IC, the later Hebrew.--_adv._ RABBIN'ICALLY.--_ns._ RABB'INISM, the doctrine or teaching of the rabbis: a rabbinical peculiarity of expression: the late Jewish belief which esteemed the oral law equally with the written law of God; RABB'INIST, RABB'INITE, one who adheres to the Talmud and traditions of the rabbis; RABB[=O]'NI, my great master. [Gr.,--Heb. _rabbi_--_rab_, great, master--_r[=a]bab_, to be great. Cf. Ar. _rabb_, master, the Lord.]

RABBIT, rab'it, _n._ a small rodent burrowing animal of the hare family: a cony: any member of the hare family.--_v.i._ to hunt rabbits.--_ns._ RABB'IT-BRUSH, a North American composite plant; RABB'IT-EAR, a long slender oyster; RABB'ITER, one who hunts rabbits; RABB'IT-FISH, the 'king of the herrings;' RABB'IT-HUTCH, a box for the rearing of rabbits; RABB'IT-MOTH, a moth in United States of a furry appearance; RABB'IT-MOUTH, harelip; RABB'IT-ROOT, the wild sarsaparilla; RABB'ITRY, a rabbit-warren; RABB'IT-SQUIRR'EL, a chincha, a South American rodent; RABB'IT-SUCK'ER (_Shak._), a sucking rabbit; RABB'IT-WARR'EN, a place where rabbits are kept and bred.--SNOW-SHOE RABBIT, an American hare found in the Rocky Mountains which turns white in winter; WELSH RABBIT, melted cheese with a little ale poured over a slice of hot toast--sometimes written 'Welsh rarebit' by wiseacres. [M. E. _rabet_, dim. of a form seen in Old Dut.

_robbe_.]

RABBIT, rab'it, _v.t._ an interjectional expression, like _confound_.

[Perh. a corr. of _rabate_.]

RABBLE, rab'l, _n._ a disorderly, noisy crowd: a mob: the lowest class of people.--_adj._ disorderly.--_v.i._ to utter nonsense.--_v.t._ (_Scot._) to mob.--_ns._ RABB'LEMENT, a tumultuous crowd of low people; RABB'LING (_Scot._), the act of assaulting in a disorderly manner, mobbing. [Allied to Old Dut. _rabbelen_, to gabble, Prov. Ger. _rabbeln_.]

RABBLE, rab'l, _n._ an iron bar used in puddling.--_v.t._ to stir with a rabble.--_n._ RABB'LER. [O. Fr. _roable_ (Fr. _rable_)--L. _rutabulum_, a poker.]

RABDOMANCY. Same as RHABDOMANCY.

RABELAISIAN, rab-e-l[=a]'zi-an, _n._ characteristic of _Rabelais_ (1490-1553), broadly humorous, coarse.

RABI, rab'i, _n._ the great grain crop of Hindustan.

RABID, rab'id, _adj._ furious: mad: affected with _rabies_, as a dog: foolishly intense.--_adj._ RAB'IC, pertaining to rabies.--_adv._ RAB'IDLY.--_ns._ RAB'IDNESS; R[=A]'BIES, the disease (esp. of dogs) from which hydrophobia is communicated: canine madness.--_adjs._ R[=A]BIET'IC, resembling madness; R[=A]BIF'IC, communicating hydrophobia; R[=A]'BIOUS, raging. [L. _rabidus_--_rab[)e]re_, to rave.]

RABOT, rab'ot, _n._ a rubber used in polishing marble.

RACA, r[=a]'ka, _adj._ worthless--a term of contempt used by the Jews of Christ's day; cf. Matt. v. 22. [Chaldee _r[=e]k[=a]_, worthless; perh.

conn. with _raq_, to spit (Ar. _r[=i]q_), or with _r[=i]q[=a]_, empty.]

RACCAHOUT, rak'a-h[=oo]t, _n._ an Eastern dish made from the edible acorns of the oak. [Fr.,--Ar. _r[=a]quat_, _r[=a]qaout_, a nourishing starch.]

RACCOON, RACOON, ra-k[=oo]n', _n._ a genus of the bear family of North America, valuable for its fur.--_ns._ RACCOON'-BERR'Y, the May apple of the United States; RACCOON'-OYS'TER, an oyster growing on the shores of the sea in United States. [Amer. Ind.]

RACE, r[=a]s, _n._ the human family: the descendants of a common ancestor: a breed or variety: a tribal or national stock: a line of persons, as of statesmen, or of animals, as the feline race: a herd: peculiar flavour, as of wine, by which its origin may be recognised: (_Shak._) intrinsic character, vigour. [Fr.,--Old High Ger. _reiza_, a line.]

RACE, r[=a]s, _n._ rapid motion: trial of speed: progress: course of action: a strong and rapid current: a canal to a water-wheel: a competitive trial of speed in running, walking, &c.: a horse-race, as the Ascot races.--_v.i._ to run swiftly: to contend in running.--_v.t._ to cause to race, as steamers, horses, &c.--_ns._ RACE'-CARD, a card containing information about races; RACE'-COURSE, -GROUND, -TRACK, the course over which races are run; RACE'-CUP, a piece of plate forming a prize at a race; RACE'HORSE, a horse bred for racing; RACE'-MEET'ING, a meeting for purposes of horse-racing; R[=A]'CER, one who races: a racehorse; RACE'-WAY, a mill-race; R[=A]'CING, the running of races; R[=A]'CING-BIT, a light jointed ring-bit; CONSOL[=A]'TION-RACE (see CONSOLATION); FLAT'-RACE, a horse-race over _level_ or clear ground--opp. to a _Hurdle-race_ or _Steeplechase_, which are called generally _Obstacle-races_.--RACING CALENDAR, a full list of races to be run. [A.S. _r['ae]s_, stream; Ice.

_ras_, rapid course.]

RACE, r[=a]s, _n._ (_Shak._) a root.--_n._ RACE'-GIN'GER, unpulverised ginger. [O. Fr. _rais_--L. _radix_, a root.]

RACE, r[=a]s, _v.t._ (_obs._)=_Raze_.--_adj._ RACED.

RACEME, ra-s[=e]m', _n._ a cluster: a flower-cluster, as in the currant.--_adjs._ RACEMED', having racemes; RACEM'IC, pertaining to, or obtained from, grapes: an acid obtained from a certain kind of grape; RACEMIF'EROUS, bearing racemes; RAC'EM[=O]SE, RAC'EMOUS, growing in, or resembling, a raceme.--_n._ RAC'EM[=U]LE, a small raceme.--_adj._ RACEM'UL[=O]SE, bearing small racemes. [Fr.,--L. _racemus_.]

RACH, RATCH, rach, _n._ a dog that hunts by scent. [A.S. _raecc_, a dog; Ice. _rakki_.]

RACHIANECTES, ra-ki-an-ek'tez, _n._ the gray whale of the North Pacific.

[Gr. _rhachia_, a rocky shore, _n[=e]kt[=e]s_, a swimmer.]

RACHIS, r[=a]'kis, _n._ the spine: (_bot._) a branch or axis of inflorescence which proceeds in nearly a straight line from the base to the apex:--_pl._ R[=A]'CHID[=E]S.--_n._ R[=A]CHIAL'GIA, pain in the spine.--_adjs._ R[=A]CHIAL'GIC; R[=A]CHID'IAL, R[=A]CHID'IAN.--_n._ R[=A]CHIL'LA, a secondary rachis in a compound inflorescence.--_adj._ R[=A]CHIT'IC, rickety.--_ns._ R[=A]CH[=I]'TIS, rickets in children (see RICKETS): (_bot._) a disease which produces abortion in the fruit; R[=A]CH'ITOME, an anatomical instrument for opening the spinal canal. [Gr.

_rachis_, the spine.]

RACIAL, r[=a]'si-al, _adj._ relating to lineage, peculiar to a race.--_adv._ R[=A]'CIALLY.

RACK, rak, _n._ an instrument for racking or extending: an engine for stretching the body in order to extort a confession, hence (_fig._) extreme pain, anxiety, or doubt: a framework on which articles are arranged, as _hat-rack_, _plate-rack_, _letter-rack_, &c.: the grating above a manger for hay: (_mech._) a straight bar with teeth to work into those of a wheel, pinion, or endless screw, for converting a circular into a rectilinear motion, or _vice versa_: (_Scot._) the course in curling.--_v.t._ to stretch forcibly: to strain: to stretch on the rack or wheel: to torture: to exhaust: to worry, agitate: to wrest, overstrain: to practise rapacity: to extort: to place in a rack or frame: (_naut._) to seize together with cross-turns, as two ropes.--_n._ RACK'ER, one who tortures.--_adj._ RACK'ING, tormenting.--_ns._ RACK'-RAIL, a railway having cogs which work into similar cogs on a locomotive; RACK'-RENT, an annual rent stretched to the utmost value of the thing rented, exorbitant rent.--_v.t._ to subject to such rents.--_ns._ RACK'-RENT'ER, one who exacts or pays rack-rent; RACK'-STICK, a stick for stretching a rope; RACK'-TAIL, a bent arm in a repeating clock connected with the striking mechanism; RACK'WORK, a strong bar with cogs to correspond with similar cogs on a wheel, which either moves or is moved by the bar.--LIVE AT RACK AND MANGER, to live sumptuously and wastefully; ON THE RACK, stretched upon it: tortured by anxiety; PUT TO THE RACK, to put to the torture of the rack: to subject to keen suffering.

[The radical sense is to stretch, closely allied to _reach_ (q.v.); cf.

Ice. _rakkr_, straight, Ger. _rack_, a rail, _recken_, to stretch.]

RACK, rak, _n._ same as WRACK=_Wreck_--now used only in the phrases GO TO RACK, GO TO RACK AND RUIN. [Cf. the next word.]

RACK, rak, _n._ thin or broken clouds drifting across the sky.--_v.i._ to drift, to drive. [_Wrack_; cf. Ice. _rek_.]

RACK, rak, _v.t._ to strain or draw off from the lees, as wine.--_ns._ RACK'ING-CAN, a vessel from which wine can be drawn without disturbing the lees; RACK'ING-COCK, -FAU'CET, a cock used in drawing off liquour from a cask; RACK'ING-PUMP, a pump for the transfer of liquor to casks. [O. Fr.

_raquer_, _vin raque_; prob. cog. with Sp. _rascar_, to scrape.]

RACK, rak, _n._ (_prov._) the neck and spine of a fore-quarter of veal or mutton: the neck of mutton or pork.

RACK, rak, _n._ the gait of a horse between a trot and a gallop.--_n._ RACK'ER, a horse that moves in this gait. [Perh. _rack_, to drift, or _rock_.]

RACK, rak, _n._ same as ARRACK.--RACK PUNCH, a punch made with arrack.

RACK, rak, _n._ a young rabbit. [Orig. unknown.]

RACKABONES, rak'a-b[=o]nz, _n._ (_Amer._) a very lean person or animal.

RACKAROCK, rak'a-rok, _n._ an explosive of potassium chlorate and nitro-benzol.--Also REND'ROCK.

RACKET, RACQUET, rak'et, _n._ a bat for playing tennis: a snow-shoe: an organ-stop: a 17th-cent. musical instrument: (_pl._) a modern variety of the old game of tennis.--_v.t._ to strike, as with a racket.--_ns._ RACK'ET-, RACQ'UET-COURT, -GROUND, a court for playing rackets: a tennis-court; RACK'ET-TAIL, a humming-bird with two feathers like rackets.--_adj._ RACK'ET-TAILED. [O. Fr. _rachete_ (Fr. _raquette_)--Sp.

_raqueta_--Ar. _r[=a]hat_, the palm of the hand.]

RACKET, rak'et, _n._ a clattering noise: hurly-burly.--_v.i._ to make a clattering noise: to engage in racket of any kind: to be dissipated.--_n._ RACK'ETER.--_adj._ RACK'ETY.--_v.t._ and _v.i._ RACK'LE (_prov._), to rattle.--_n._ noisy talk. [Gael. _racaid_--_rac_, to cackle.]

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