ram|ekin /ræ m I k I n/ (ramekins ) N‑COUNT A ramekin or a ramekin dish is a small dish in which food for one person can be baked in the oven.
rami|fi|ca|tion /ræ m I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ (ramifications ) N‑COUNT [usu pl, oft with poss] The ramifications of a decision, plan, or event are all its consequences and effects, especially ones which are not obvious at first. □ [+ of ] Consider the long-term ramifications of any loan.
ramp /ræ mp/ (ramps ) N‑COUNT A ramp is a sloping surface between two places that are at different levels. □ Lillian was coming down the ramp from the museum.
ram|page (rampages , rampaging , rampaged ) Pronounced /ræmpe I dʒ/ for meaning 1 , and /ræ mpe I dʒ/ for meaning 2 . 1 VERB When people or animals rampage through a place, they rush about there in a wild or violent way, causing damage or destruction. □ [V adv/prep] Hundreds of youths rampaged through the town, shop windows were smashed and cars overturned. □ [V -ing] He used a sword to try to defend his shop from a rampaging mob.
2 PHRASE If people go on the rampage , they rush about in a wild or violent way, causing damage or destruction. □ The prisoners went on the rampage destroying everything in their way.
ram|pant /ræ mpənt/ ADJ If you describe something bad, such as a crime or disease, as rampant , you mean that it is very common and is increasing in an uncontrolled way. □ Inflation is rampant and industry in decline.
ram|part /ræ mpɑː r t/ (ramparts ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] The ramparts of a castle or city are the earth walls, often with stone walls on them, that were built to protect it. □ …a walk along the ramparts of the Old City.
ra m-raid (ram-raids , ram-raiding , ram-raided )
1 N‑COUNT A ram-raid is the crime of using a car to drive into and break a shop window in order to steal things from the shop. [BRIT ] □ A shop in Station Road was the target of a ram-raid early yesterday.
2 VERB If people ram-raid , they use a car to drive into and break a shop window in order to steal things from the shop. [BRIT ] □ [V ] The kids who are joyriding and ram-raiding are unemployed. [Also V n] ● ram-raider (ram-raiders ) N‑COUNT □ Ram-raiders smashed their way into a high-class store.
ram|rod /ræ mrɒd/ (ramrods )
1 N‑COUNT A ramrod is a long, thin rod which can be used for pushing something into a narrow tube. Ramrods were used, for example, for forcing an explosive substance down the barrel of an old-fashioned gun, or for cleaning the barrel of a gun.
2 PHRASE If someone sits or stands like a ramrod or straight as a ramrod , they have a very straight back and appear rather stiff and formal. □ …a woman with iron grey hair, high cheekbones and a figure like a ramrod.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone has a ramrod back or way of standing, they have a very straight back and hold themselves in a rather stiff and formal way. □ I don't have the ramrod posture I had when I was in the Navy. ● ADV [ADV adj] Ramrod is also an adverb. □ At 75, she's still ramrod straight.
ram|shack|le /ræ mʃæk ə l/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A ramshackle building is badly made or in bad condition, and looks as if it is likely to fall down. □ They entered the shop, which was a curious ramshackle building.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A ramshackle system, union, or collection of things has been put together without much thought and is not likely to work very well. □ They joined with a ramshackle alliance of other rebels.
ran /ræ n/ Ran is the past tense of run .
ranch /rɑː ntʃ, ræ ntʃ/ (ranches )
1 N‑COUNT A ranch is a large farm used for raising animals, especially cattle, horses, or sheep. □ He lives on a cattle ranch in Australia.
2 → see also dude ranch
ranch|er /rɑː ntʃə r , ræ n-/ (ranchers ) N‑COUNT A rancher is someone who owns or manages a large farm, especially one used for raising cattle, horses, or sheep. □ …a cattle rancher.
ranch|ing /rɑː ntʃ I ŋ, ræ n-/ N‑UNCOUNT Ranching is the activity of running a large farm, especially one used for raising cattle, horses, or sheep.
ran|cid /ræ ns I d/ ADJ If butter, bacon, or other oily foods are rancid , they have gone bad and taste old and unpleasant. □ Butter is perishable and can go rancid.
ran|cor /ræ ŋkər/ → see rancour
ran|cor|ous /ræ ŋkərəs/ ADJ A rancorous argument or person is full of bitterness and anger. [FORMAL ] □ The deal ended after a series of rancorous disputes.
ran|cour /ræ ŋkə r / in AM, use rancor N‑UNCOUNT Rancour is a feeling of bitterness and anger. [FORMAL ] □ 'That's too bad,' Teddy said without rancour.
rand /ræ nd/ (rands or rand ) N‑COUNT The rand is the unit of currency used in South Africa. □ …12 million rand. ● N‑SING The rand is also used to refer to the South African currency system. □ The rand slumped by 22% against the dollar.
R&B /ɑː r ən biː / N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] R&B is a style of popular music developed in the 1940s from blues music, but using electrically amplified instruments. R&B is an abbreviation for 'rhythm and blues'.
R&D /ɑː r ən diː / also R and D N‑UNCOUNT [oft in/on N ] R&D refers to the research and development work or department within a large company or organization. R&D is an abbreviation for 'Research and Development'. □ Businesses need to train their workers better, and spend more on R&D.
ran|dom /ræ ndəm/