ra|vio|li /ræ vioʊ li/ (raviolis ) N‑VAR Ravioli is a type of pasta that is shaped into small squares, filled with minced meat or cheese and served in a sauce.
rav|ish /ræ v I ʃ/ (ravishes , ravishing , ravished ) VERB [usu passive] If a woman is ravished by a man, she is raped by him. [LITERARY ] □ [be V -ed] She'll never know how close she came to being dragged off and ravished.
rav|ish|ing /ræ v I ʃ I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe someone or something as ravishing , you mean that they are very beautiful. [LITERARY ] □ She looked ravishing.
raw ◆◇◇ /rɔː / (rawer , rawest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Raw materials or substances are in their natural state before being processed or used in manufacturing. □ We import raw materials and energy and export mainly industrial products. □ …two ships carrying raw sugar from Cuba.
2 ADJ Raw food is food that is eaten uncooked, that has not yet been cooked, or that has not been cooked enough. □ …a popular dish made of raw fish. □ This versatile vegetable can be eaten raw or cooked.
3 ADJ If a part of your body is raw , it is red and painful, perhaps because the skin has come off or has been burnt. □ …the drag of the rope against the raw flesh of my shoulders.
4 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Raw emotions are strong basic feelings or responses which are not weakened by other influences. □ Her grief was still raw and he did not know how to help her.
5 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as raw , you mean that it is simple, powerful, and real. □ …the raw power of instinct.
6 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Raw data is facts or information that has not yet been sorted, analysed, or prepared for use. □ Analyses were conducted on the raw data.
7 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone in a new job as raw , or as a raw recruit, you mean that they lack experience in that job. □ …replacing experienced men with raw recruits.
8 ADJ Raw weather feels unpleasantly cold. □ …a raw December morning.
9 ADJ [ADJ n] Raw sewage is sewage that has not been treated to make it cleaner. □ …contamination of bathing water by raw sewage.
10 PHRASE If you say that you are getting a raw deal , you mean that you are being treated unfairly. [INFORMAL ] □ I think women have a raw deal.
11 touch a raw nerve → see nerve SYNONYMS raw ADJ 1
unrefined: Unrefined carbohydrates include brown rice and other grains.
naturaclass="underline" We only use natural ingredients.
crude: …8.5 million tonnes of crude steel.
unprocessed: Try to eat more unprocessed foods.
raw|hide /rɔː ha I d/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Rawhide is leather that comes from cattle, and has not been treated or tanned. [AM ] □ At his belt he carried a rawhide whip.
ray ◆◇◇ /re I / (rays )
1 N‑COUNT Rays of light are narrow beams of light. □ [+ of ] …the first rays of light spread over the horizon. □ The sun's rays can penetrate water up to 10 feet.
2 → see also cosmic rays , gamma rays , X-ray
3 N‑COUNT A ray of hope, comfort, or other positive quality is a small amount of it that you welcome because it makes a bad situation seem less bad. □ [+ of ] They could provide a ray of hope amid the general business and economic gloom.
ray|on /re I ɒn/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Rayon is a smooth artificial fabric that is made from cellulose. □ …the old woman's rayon dress.
raze /re I z/ (razes , razing , razed ) VERB [usu passive] If buildings, villages or towns are razed or razed to the ground, they are completely destroyed. □ [be V -ed] Dozens of villages have been razed. □ [be V -ed + to ] Towns such as Mittelwihr and Bennwihr were virtually razed to the ground.
ra|zor /re I zə r / (razors ) N‑COUNT A razor is a tool that people use for shaving.
ra |zor blade (razor blades ) N‑COUNT A razor blade is a small flat piece of metal with a very sharp edge which is put into a razor and used for shaving.
ra zor-sha rp
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A cutting tool that is razor-sharp is extremely sharp. □ …a razor sharp butcher's knife.
2 ADJ If you describe someone or someone's mind as razor-sharp , you mean that they have a very accurate and clear understanding of things. □ …his razor-sharp intelligence.
ra |zor wire N‑UNCOUNT Razor wire is strong wire with sharp blades sticking out of it. In wars or civil conflict it is sometimes used to prevent people from entering or leaving buildings or areas of land. □ …plans to use razor wire to seal off hostels for migrant workers.
razz /ræ z/ (razzes , razzing , razzed ) VERB To razz someone means to tease them, especially in an unkind way. [mainly AM , INFORMAL ] □ [V n] Molly razzed me about my rotten sense of direction.
razz|a|ma|tazz /ræ zəmətæ z/ N‑UNCOUNT Razzamatazz is the same as razzmatazz . [mainly BRIT ]
razzle-dazzle /ræ z ə l dæ z ə l/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Razzle-dazzle is the same as razzmatazz . □ …a razzle-dazzle marketing man.
razz|ma|tazz /ræ zmətæ z/ N‑UNCOUNT Razzmatazz is a noisy and showy display. □ …the colour and razzmatazz of a U.S. election.