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ok or essay; a proem; an introduction, or series of preliminary remarks. This superficial tale Is but a preface of her worthy praise. Shak. Heaven's high behest no preface needs. Milton.

being proud; inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, rank, etc., which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others. Those that walk in pride he is able to abase. Dan. iv. 37. Pride that dines on vanity sups on contempt.…

s feather (Bot.), a name given to two annual herbs (Amarantus caudatus and Polygonum orientale), with apetalous reddish flowers arranged in long recurved panicled spikes. -- Prince's metal, Prince Rupert's metal. See under Metal. Prince's pine. (Bot.) See Pipsissewa.

roduction to a discourse, poem, or performance; as, the prologue of Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales;" esp., a discourse or poem spoken before a dramatic performance

to base or unworthy purposes; to give up to low or indiscriminate use; as, to prostitute talents; to prostitute official powers. Milton.

uppress; to abolish; to confute; as, to put down rebellion of traitors. Mark, how a plain tale shall put you down. Shak. Sugar hath put down the use of honey. Bacon.

r rabbis, or pertaining to the opinions, learning, or language of the rabbins. "Comments staler than rabbinic." Lowell.

petals cut into narrow lobes. -- Ragged sailor (Bot.), prince's feather (Polygonum orientale). -- Ragged school, a free school for poor children, where they are taught and in part fed; -- a name given at first because they came in their common clothing. [Eng.] -- Rag"ged*ly, adv. -- Rag"ged*ness, n.…

wide space; to scrape together; as, to rake together wealth; to rake together slanderous tales; to rake together the rabble of a town.

Like a rat's tale in form; as, a rat-tail file, which is round, slender, and tapering. See Illust. of File.

ithin prescribed bounds; to curb; to govern. His reson refraineth not his foul delight or talent. Chaucer. Refrain thy foot from their path. Prov. i. 15.

g automatically the number of persons passing through a gateway, fares taken, etc.; a telltale.

esidue. Chaucer. The remnant that are left of the captivity. Neh. i. 3. The remnant of my tale is of a length To tire your patience. Dryden.

A fox; -- so called in fables or familiar tales, and in poetry. [Written also reynard.]

Of or pertaining to Renard, the fox, or the tales in which Renard is mentioned.

orts speeches, the proceedings of public meetings, news, etc., for the newspapers. Of our tales judge and reportour. Chaucer.

rd them that hate me. Deut. xxxii. 41. God rewards those that have made use of the single talent. Hammond.

or natural connection; rambling composition. "A rhapsody of words." Shak. "A rhapsody of tales." Locke.

An expression of thought in numbers, measure, or verse; a composition in verse; a rhymed tale; poetry; harmony of language. "Railing rhymes." Daniel. A ryme I learned long ago. Chaucer. He knew Himself to sing, and build the lofty rime. Milton.

ouplet rhyme; -- probably so called from the mounted pilgrims described in the Canterbury Tales. Dr. Guest. -- Riding school, a school or place where the art of riding is taught.