{ Rhap*sod"ic (?), Rhap*sod"ic (?) }, a. [Gr. "rapsw,diko`s: cf. F.
rhapsodique.] Of or pertaining to rhapsody; consisting of rhapsody;
hence, confused; unconnected. -- Rhap*sod"ic*al*ly, adv.
Rhap"so*dist (?), n. [From Rhapsody.] 1. Anciently, one who recited or
composed a rhapsody; especially, one whose profession was to recite the
verses of Hormer and other epic poets.
2. Hence, one who recites or sings poems for a livelihood; one who
makes and repeats verses extempore.
The same populace sit for hours listening to rhapsodists who recite
Ariosto.
Carlyle.
3. One who writes or speaks disconnectedly and with great excitement or
affectation of feeling. I. Watts.
Rhap"so*dize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rhapsodized (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Rhapsodizing.] To utter as a rhapsody, or in the manner of a rhapsody
Sterne.
Rhap"so*dize, v. i. To utter rhapsodies. Jefferson.
Rhap"so*do*man`cy (?), n. [Rhapsody + -mancy.] Divination by means of
verses.
Rhap"so*dy (?), n.; pl. Rhapsodies (#). [F. rhapsodie, L. rhapsodia,
Gr. "rapsw,di`a, fr. "rapsw,do`s a rhapsodist; "ra`ptein to sew, stitch
together, unite + 'w,dh` a song. See Ode.] 1. A recitation or song of a
rhapsodist; a portion of an epic poem adapted for recitation, or
usually recited, at one time; hence, a division of the Iliad or the
Odyssey; -- called also a book.
2. A disconnected series of sentences or statements composed under
excitement, and without dependence or natural connection; rambling
composition. "A rhapsody of words." Shak. "A rhapsody of tales." Locke.
3. (Mus.) A composition irregular in form, like an improvisation; as,
Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsodies."
{ Rhat"a*ny, Rhat"an*hy } (?), n. [Sp. ratania, rataña, Peruv. rataña.]
The powerfully astringent root of a half- shrubby Peruvian plant
(Krameria triandra). It is used in medicine and to color port wine.
[Written also ratany.]
Savanilla rhatany, the root of Krameria Ixina, a native of New Granada.
Rhe"a (?), n. (Bot.) The ramie or grass-cloth plant. See Grass-cloth
plant, under Grass.
Rhe"a, n. [L., a proper name.] (Zoöl.) Any one of three species of
large South American ostrichlike birds of the genera Rhea and
Pterocnemia. Called also the American ostrich.
The common rhea, or nandou (Rhea Americana), ranges from Brazil to
Patagonia. Darwin's rhea (Pterocnemia Darwinii), of Patagonia, is
smaller, and has the legs feathered below the knee.
||Rhe"æ (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) A suborder of struthious birds
||including the rheas.
Rhee"boc (?), n. [D. reebok roebuck.] (Zoöl.) The peele. [Written also
reebok.]
Rhe"ic (?), a. [NL. Rheum rhubarb, Gr. &?;&?;&?; See Rhubarb.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid (commonly called chrysophanic
acid) found in rhubarb (Rheum). [Obsoles.]
Rhe"in (?), n. (Chem.) Chrysophanic acid.
Rhein"ber*ry (?), n. [G. rheinbeere.] (Bot.) One of the berries or
drupes of the European buckthorn; also, the buckthorn itself.
Rhe*mat"ic (?), a. [Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?; of or for a verb, fr. &?;&?;&?;,
&?;&?;&?;, a sentence. See Rhetoric.] (Gram.) Having a verb for its
base; derived from a verb; as, rhematic adjectives. Ftzed. Hall.
Rhe*mat"ic, n. The doctrine of propositions or sentences. Coleridge.
Rhemish (?), a. Of or pertaining to Rheimis, or Reima, in France.
Rhemish Testament, the English version of the New Testament used by
Roman Catholics. See Douay Bible.
Rhen"ish (?), a. [L. Rhenus the Rhine. ] Of or pertaining to the river
Rhine; as, Rhenish wine. -- n. Rhine wine.
Rhe"o*chord (?), n. [Gr. "rei^n to flow + &?;&?;&?; chord.] (Elec.) A
metallic wire used for regulating the resistance of a circuit, or
varying the strength of an electric current, by inserting a greater or
less length of it in the circuit.
Rhe*om"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. "rei^n to flow + -meter.] [Written also
reometer.] 1. (Physics) An instrument for measuring currents,
especially the force or intensity of electrical currents; a
galvanometer.
2. (Physiol.) An instrument for measuring the velocity of the blood
current in the arteries.
Rhe`o*met"ric (?), a. Of or pertaining to a rheometer or rheometry.
Lardner.
Rhe*om"e*try (?), n. 1. The measurement of the force or intensity of
currents.