| reive | v. | to rob, to plunder | ||
| rejectamenta | n. | thrown-away things, trash, refuse | ||
| remise | n. | 1 | second fencing thrust made after failure of the first; coach house | |
| remise | v. | 2 | to release, to surrender (any claim, etc.); to put back, to convert again | law |
| remittance man | n. | emigrant supported by money sent from home | ||
| remonstrance | n. | appeal; protest, demonstration; formal list of grievances | ||
| remuda | n. | group of saddle horses for common use | ||
| rencontre | n. | unexpected encounter | ||
| renitent | adj. | unyielding, resistant to pressure; recalcitrant | ||
| renitent | adj. | offering resistance; recalcitrant | ||
| rennet | n. | membrane from the fourth stomach of an unweaned calf, used for curdling milk in the making of cheese | ||
| repine | v. | to show discontent, to complain | ||
| replevin | n. | legal action for return of distrained or taken goods or chattels | ||
| reputed | adj. | supposed, alleged, widely believed | ||
| reredorter | n. | privy in medieval monastery | ||
| reredos | n. | decorated screen or wall behind altar in a church; brick or stone back of a fireplace | ||
| reremouse | n. | bat | archaic | |
| reresupper | n. | meal of lavish nature taken after usual evening supper | ||
| rereward | n. | rear guard of a military unit | obsolete | |
| rescript | n. | formal response to legal question written by monarch, pope, etc.; clarification of law, esp. canon law; rewritten document; act of rewriting | ||
| resomation | n. | disposal of dead bodies through alkaline hydrolysis, using lye and heat | ||
| respite | n. | period of relief | ||
| responsions | n. | first of three examinations a bachelor of arts candidate must pass at Oxford University | ||
| retiarius | n. | gladiator who fought with net and trident | ||
| reticent | adj. | uncommunicative | ||
| reticle | n. | fine wires or threads placed within eyepiece of telescope, etc. to facilitate accurate observation | ||
| reticule | n. | small bag or purse, usu. woven | ||
| revanchist | adj. | of or follower of political stance to overturn territorial losses of a state | ||
| revers | n. | lapel or other garment part turned back to reveal the lining | ||
| reverse ferret | n. | sudden change of editorial position, esp. with no recognition of previous view | British | |
| revetment | n. | external layer of hard material supporting an embankment or wall | ||
| rhinorrhea | n. | runny nose | ||
| rhombencephalon | n. | hindbrain | ||
| rhonchus | n. | wheezing or rattling sound made during breathing, caused by non-gaseous material in the lungs | ||
| rhumb | n. | line of navigation crossing successive meridians at a constant angle | ||
| rhyparography | n. | artistic depiction of sordid subjects | ||
| riband | n. | ribbon, esp. a decorative one | archaic | |
| rick | n. | stack of hay, corn, etc. | ||
| Rif | n. | (also Riff) mountainous region of northern Morocco; indigenous Berbers of this region | ||
| rigadoon | n. | lively two person dance with jumping steps popular in 17th and 18th c. France and England; music for such dance | ||
| riggish | adj. | promiscuous | ||
| ringent | adj. | gaping, grinning | ||
| risaldar | n. | Indian calvary rank of a native commander of a horse regiment | ||
| risible | adj. | laughable | ||
| rising | adv. | nearly, almost | informal | |
| rive | v. | to tear apart; to cleave | ||
| riverine | adj. | of or related to a river; situated upon a river | ||
| roach | n. | small freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae | ||
| roadstead | n. | somewhat sheltered area near shore where ships may anchor safe from weather | nautical | |
| rodomontade | vainglorious boast, extravagantly bragging speech |
