rhap|so|dy /ræ psədi/ (rhapsodies ) N‑COUNT [oft in names] A rhapsody is a piece of music which has an irregular form and is full of feeling. □ …George Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue.
rhe|sus fac|tor /riː səs fæktə r / N‑SING The rhesus factor is something that is in the blood of most people. If someone's blood contains this factor, they are rhesus positive. If it does not, they are rhesus negative.
rheto|ric /re tər I k/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to speech or writing as rhetoric , you disapprove of it because it is intended to convince and impress people but may not be sincere or honest. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ What is required is immediate action, not rhetoric.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Rhetoric is the skill or art of using language effectively. [FORMAL ] □ …the noble institutions of political life, such as political rhetoric and public service.
rhe|tori|cal /r I tɒ r I k ə l, [AM ] -tɔː r-/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A rhetorical question is one which is asked in order to make a statement rather than to get an answer. □ He grimaced slightly, obviously expecting no answer to his rhetorical question. ● rhe|tori|cal|ly /r I tɒ r I kli, [AM ] -tɔː r-/ ADV [ADV with v] □ 'Do these kids know how lucky they are?' Jackson asked rhetorically.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Rhetorical language is intended to be grand and impressive. [FORMAL ] □ These arguments may have been used as a rhetorical device to argue for a perpetuation of a United Nations role. ● rhe|tori|cal|ly ADV □ Suddenly, the narrator speaks in his most rhetorically elevated mode.
rhe|tori|cian /re tər I ʃ ə n/ (rhetoricians ) N‑COUNT A rhetorician is a person who is good at public speaking or who is trained in the art of rhetoric. □ …an able and fiercely contentious rhetorician.
rheu|mat|ic /ruːmæ t I k/ ADJ [ADJ n] Rheumatic is used to describe conditions and pains that are related to rheumatism. Rheumatic joints are swollen and painful because they are affected by rheumatism. □ …new treatments for a range of rheumatic diseases.
rheu|^mat|ic fe |ver N‑UNCOUNT Rheumatic fever is a disease which causes fever, and swelling and pain in your joints.
rheu|ma|tism /ruː mət I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Rheumatism is an illness that makes your joints or muscles stiff and painful. Older people, especially, suffer from rheumatism.
rheu|ma|toid ar|thri|tis /ruː mətɔ I d ɑː r θra I t I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-lasting disease that causes your joints, for example your hands or knees, to swell up and become painful.
rheu|ma|tol|ogy /ruː mətɒ lədʒi/ N‑UNCOUNT Rheumatology is the area of medicine that is concerned with rheumatism, arthritis, and related diseases. ● rheu|ma|tolo|gist (rheumatologists ) N‑COUNT □ He was consultant rheumatologist at the nearby hospital.
rheumy /ruː mi/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone has rheumy eyes, their eyes are red and watery, usually because they are very ill or old. [LITERARY ]
Rh fac|tor /ɑː r e I tʃ fæktə r / N‑UNCOUNT The Rh factor is the same as the rhesus factor .
rhine|stone /ra I nstoʊn/ (rhinestones ) N‑COUNT Rhinestones are shiny, glass jewels that are used in cheap jewellery and to decorate clothes.
rhi|ni|tis /ra I na I t I s/ N‑UNCOUNT If you suffer from rhinitis or allergic rhinitis , your nose is very sore and liquid keeps coming out of it. [MEDICAL ]
rhi|no /ra I noʊ/ (rhinos ) N‑COUNT A rhino is the same as a rhinoceros . [INFORMAL ]
rhi|noc|er|os /ra I nɒ sərəs/ (rhinoceroses ) N‑COUNT A rhinoceros is a large Asian or African animal with thick grey skin and a horn, or two horns, on its nose. WORD HISTORY rhinoceros
Rhinoceros came into English via Latin from Greek rhinokerōs , from rhino- , meaning 'of the nose', and keras , meaning 'horn'.
rhi|zome /ra I zoʊm/ (rhizomes ) N‑COUNT Rhizomes are the horizontal stems from which some plants, such as irises, grow. Rhizomes are found on or just under the surface of the earth.
rho|do|den|dron /roʊ dəde ndrən/ (rhododendrons ) N‑VAR A rhododendron is a large bush with large flowers which are usually pink, red, or purple.
rhom|bus /rɒ mbəs/ (rhombuses ) N‑COUNT A rhombus is a geometric shape which has four equal sides but is not a square. [TECHNICAL ]
rhu|barb /ruː bɑː r b/ N‑UNCOUNT Rhubarb is a plant with large leaves and long red stems. You can cook the stems with sugar to make jam or puddings.
rhyme /ra I m/ (rhymes , rhyming , rhymed )
1 VERB If one word rhymes with another or if two words rhyme , they have a very similar sound. Words that rhyme with each other are often used in poems. □ [V + with ] June always rhymes with moon in old love songs. □ [V ] I only write poetry that rhymes. □ [V n + with ] …a singer rhyming 'eyes' with 'realise'. □ [V -ed] …rhymed couplets. [Also V n (non-recip)]
2 VERB If a poem or song rhymes , the lines end with words that have very similar sounds. □ [V ] To make it rhyme he seems to have chosen the first word that came into his head. □ [V -ing] …rhyming couplets.
3 N‑COUNT A rhyme is a word which rhymes with another word, or a set of lines which rhyme. □ [+ for ] The one rhyme for passion is fashion.
4 N‑COUNT A rhyme is a short poem which has rhyming words at the ends of its lines. □ He was teaching Helen a little rhyme.
5 → see also nursery rhyme
6 N‑UNCOUNT Rhyme is the use of rhyming words as a technique in poetry. If something is written in rhyme , it is written as a poem in which the lines rhyme. □ The plays are in rhyme.