8 PHRASE Off-the-rack clothes or goods are made in large numbers, rather than being made specially for a particular person. [AM ] □ …the same off-the-rack dress she's been wearing since the night before. in BRIT, use off-the-peg
▸ rack up PHRASAL VERB [no passive] If a business racks up profits, losses, or sales, it makes a lot of them. If a sportsman, sportswoman, or team racks up wins, they win a lot of matches or races. □ [V P n] Lower rates mean that firms are more likely to rack up profits in the coming months.
rack|et /ræ k I t/ (rackets ) The spelling racquet is also used for meaning 3 . 1 N‑SING A racket is a loud unpleasant noise. □ He makes such a racket I'm afraid he disturbs the neighbours.
2 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] You can refer to an illegal activity used to make money as a racket . [INFORMAL ] □ A smuggling racket is killing thousands of exotic birds each year.
3 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A racket is an oval-shaped bat with strings across it. Rackets are used in tennis, squash, and badminton. □ Tennis rackets and balls are provided.
rack|et|eer /ræ k I t I ə r / (racketeers ) N‑COUNT A racketeer is someone who makes money from illegal activities such as threatening people or selling worthless, immoral, or illegal goods or services.
rack|et|eer|ing /ræ k I t I ə r I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Racketeering is making money from illegal activities such as threatening people or selling worthless, immoral, or illegal goods or services.
rack|ing /ræ k I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A racking pain or emotion is a distressing one which you feel very strongly. □ She was now shaking with long, racking sobs.
2 → see also nerve-racking
rac|on|teur /ræ kɒntɜː r / (raconteurs ) N‑COUNT A raconteur is someone, usually a man, who can tell stories in an interesting or amusing way. □ He spoke eight languages and was a noted raconteur.
ra|coon /rækuː n/ → see raccoon
rac|quet /ræ k I t/ → see racket
racy /re I si/ (racier , raciest ) ADJ Racy writing or behaviour is lively, amusing, and slightly shocking.
ra|dar /re I dɑː r / (radars ) N‑VAR Radar is a way of discovering the position or speed of objects such as aircraft or ships when they cannot be seen, by using radio signals.
ra|dial /re I diəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Radial refers to the pattern that you get when straight lines are drawn from the centre of a circle to a number of points round the edge. □ The white marble floors were inlaid in a radial pattern of brass.
ra|di|ance /re I diəns/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Radiance is great happiness which shows in someone's face and makes them look very attractive. □ She has the vigour and radiance of someone young enough to be her grand-daughter.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft a N ] Radiance is a glowing light shining from something. □ The dim bulb of the bedside lamp cast a soft radiance over his face.
ra|di|ant /re I diənt/
1 ADJ Someone who is radiant is so happy that their happiness shows in their face. □ On her wedding day the bride looked truly radiant. ● ra|di|ant|ly ADV □ He smiled radiantly and embraced her.
2 ADJ Something that is radiant glows brightly. □ The evening sun warms the old red brick wall to a radiant glow. ● ra|di|ant|ly ADV □ The sun was still shining radiantly.
ra|di|ate /re I die I t/ (radiates , radiating , radiated )
1 VERB If things radiate out from a place, they form a pattern that is like lines drawn from the centre of a circle to various points on its edge. □ [V + from ] …the various walks which radiate from the Heritage Centre. □ [V prep/adv] From here, contaminated air radiates out to the open countryside.
2 VERB If you radiate an emotion or quality or if it radiates from you, people can see it very clearly in your face and in your behaviour. □ [V n] She radiates happiness and health. □ [V + from ] Her voice hadn't changed but I felt the anger that radiated from her.
3 VERB If something radiates heat or light, heat or light comes from it. □ [V n] Stoves are meant to radiate heat.
ra|dia|tion /re I die I ʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Radiation consists of very small particles of a radioactive substance. Large amounts of radiation can cause illness and death. □ They fear the long term effects of radiation.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Radiation is energy, especially heat, that comes from a particular source. □ The satellite will study energy radiation from stars.
ra|dia |tion sick|ness N‑UNCOUNT Radiation sickness is an illness that people get when they are exposed to too much radiation.
ra|dia|tor /re I die I tə r / (radiators )
1 N‑COUNT A radiator is a hollow metal device, usually connected by pipes to a central heating system, that is used to heat a room.
2 N‑COUNT The radiator in a car is the part of the engine which is filled with water in order to cool the engine.
radi|cal ◆◆◇ /ræ d I k ə l/ (radicals )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Radical changes and differences are very important and great in degree. □ The country needs a period of calm without more surges of radical change. □ The Football League has announced its proposals for a radical reform of the way football is run in England. ● radi|cal|ly /ræ d I kli/ ADV □ …two large groups of people with radically different beliefs and cultures.