Shak.
This was an error of opinion which a conflicting opinion would have
rectified.
Burke.
2. (Chem.) To refine or purify by repeated distillation or sublimation,
by which the fine parts of a substance are separated from the grosser;
as, to rectify spirit of wine.
3. (Com.) To produce ( as factitious gin or brandy) by redistilling low
wines or ardent spirits (whisky, rum, etc.), flavoring substances,
etc., being added.
To rectify a globe, to adjust it in order to prepare for the solution
of a proposed problem.
Syn. -- To amend; emend; correct; better; mend; reform; redress;
adjust; regulate; improve. See Amend.
{ Rec`ti*lin"e*al (-l?n"?*al), Rec`ti*lin"e*ar (-l?n"?*?r), } a.
[Recti- + lineal, linear.] Straight; consisting of a straight line or
lines; bounded by straight lines; as, a rectineal angle; a rectilinear
figure or course. -- Rec`ti*lin"e*al*ly, adv. -- Rec`ti*lin"e*ar*ly,
adv.
Rec`ti*lin`e*ar"i*ty (-?r"?*t?), n. The quality or state of being
rectilinear. Coleridge.
Rec`ti*lin"e*ous (-?s), a. Rectilinear. [Obs.] Ray.
Rec"ti*nerved` (r?k"t?*n?rrvd`), a. [Recti- + nerve.] (Bot.) Having the
veins or nerves straight; -- said of leaves.
Rec"tion (r?k"sh?n), n. [L. rectio, fr. regere to rule or govern.]
(Gram.) See Government, n., 7. Gibbs.
Rec`ti*ros"tral (r?k`t?*r?s"tral), a. [Recti- + rostral.] (Zoöl.)
Having a straight beak.
Rec`ti*se"ri*al (-s?"r?*al), a. [Recti- + serial.] (Bot.) Arranged in
exactly vertical ranks, as the leaves on stems of many kinds; --
opposed to curviserial.
||Rec*ti"tis (r?k*t?"t?s), n. [NL. See Rectum, and -itis.] (Med.)
||Proctitis. Dunglison.
Rec"ti*tude (r?k"t?*t?d), n. [L. rectitudo, fr. rectus right, straight:
cf. F. rectitude. See Right.] 1. Straightness. [R.] Johnson.
2. Rightness of principle or practice; exact conformity to truth, or to
the rules prescribed for moral conduct, either by divine or human laws;
uprightness of mind; uprightness; integrity; honesty; justice.