ran|som /ræ nsəm/ (ransoms , ransoming , ransomed )
1 N‑VAR A ransom is the money that has to be paid to someone so that they will set free a person they have kidnapped. □ Her kidnapper successfully extorted a £175,000 ransom for her release.
2 VERB If you ransom someone who has been kidnapped, you pay the money to set them free. □ [V n] The same system was used for ransoming or exchanging captives.
3 PHRASE If a kidnapper is holding someone to ransom or holding them ransom in British English, or is holding a person for ransom in American English, they keep that person prisoner until they are given what they want. □ He is charged with kidnapping a businessman last year and holding him for ransom.
4 PHRASE If you say that someone is holding you to ransom in British English, or holding you for ransom in American English, you mean that they are using their power to try to force you to do something which you do not want to do. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was accused of trying to hold Arsenal to ransom over a new contract.
ran|som|ware /ræ nsəmweə r / N‑UNCOUNT Ransomware is illegal computer software that stops a computer from working or prevents the computer user from getting information until they have paid some money. □ You need to protect your computer from ransomware.
rant /ræ nt/ (rants , ranting , ranted )
1 VERB If you say that someone rants , you mean that they talk loudly or angrily, and exaggerate or say foolish things. □ [V ] As the boss began to rant, I stood up and went out. □ [V + on ] Even their three dogs got bored and fell asleep as he ranted on. □ [V with quote] 'Let's get it over and done with!' he ranted. ● N‑COUNT Rant is also a noun. □ Part I is a rant against organised religion. ● rant|ing (rantings ) N‑VAR □ He had been listening to Goldstone's rantings all night.
2 PHRASE If you say that someone rants and raves , you mean that they talk loudly and angrily in an uncontrolled way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ I don't rant and rave or throw tea cups.
rap /ræ p/ (raps , rapping , rapped )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Rap is a type of music in which the words are not sung but are spoken in a rapid, rhythmic way. □ …a rap group.
2 VERB Someone who raps performs rap music. □ [V ] …the unexpected pleasure of hearing the band not only rap but even sing.
3 N‑COUNT A rap is a piece of music performed in rap style, or the words that are used in it. □ Every member contributes to the rap, singing either solo or as part of a rap chorus.
4 VERB If you rap on something or rap it, you hit it with a series of quick blows. □ [V + on ] Mary Ann turned and rapped on Simon's door. □ [V n] …rapping the glass with the knuckles of his right hand. □ [V n + on ] A guard raps his stick on a metal hand rail. ● N‑COUNT Rap is also a noun. □ [+ on ] There was a sharp rap on the door.
5 N‑COUNT A rap is a statement in a court of law that someone has committed a particular crime, or the punishment for committing it. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ You'll be facing a rap for aiding and abetting an escaped convict.
6 N‑COUNT [usu sing] A rap is an act of criticizing or blaming someone. [JOURNALISM ] □ FA chiefs could still face a rap and a possible fine.
7 VERB If you rap someone for something, you criticize or blame them for it. [JOURNALISM ] □ [be V -ed + for/over ] Water industry chiefs were rapped yesterday for failing their customers.
8 N‑SING The rap about someone or something is their reputation, often a bad reputation which they do not deserve. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ [+ on ] The rap on this guy is that he doesn't really care.
9 PHRASE If someone in authority raps your knuckles or raps you on the knuckles , they criticize you or blame you for doing something they think is wrong. [JOURNALISM ] □ I joined the workers on strike and was rapped over the knuckles.
10 PHRASE If someone in authority gives you a rap on the knuckles , they criticize you or blame you for doing something they think is wrong. [JOURNALISM ] □ The remark earned him a rap on the knuckles.
11 PHRASE If you take the rap , you are blamed or punished for something, especially something that is not your fault or for which other people are equally guilty. [INFORMAL ] □ When the money went missing, she took the rap, but did she really do it?
ra|pa|cious /rəpe I ʃəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a person or their behaviour as rapacious , you disapprove of their greedy or selfish behaviour. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a rapacious exploitation policy.
ra|pac|ity /rəpæ s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft with poss] Rapacity is very greedy or selfish behaviour. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ Overcrowded cities were the product of a system based on selfishness and rapacity.
rape ◆◇◇ /re I p/ (rapes , raping , raped )
1 VERB If someone is raped , they are forced to have sex, usually by violence or threats of violence. □ [be V -ed] A young woman was brutally raped in her own home. □ [V n] They'd held him down and raped him.
2 N‑VAR Rape is the crime of forcing someone to have sex. □ Almost ninety per cent of all rapes and violent assaults went unreported.