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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



328 words match “FIGURATIVE”

RANKLE v. 2 definitions
me, or be, rank; to grow rank or strong; to be inflamed; to fester; -- used literally and figuratively. A malady that burns and rankles inward. Rowe. This would have left a rankling wound in the hearts of the people. Burke.
RASP v.
Hence, figuratively: To grate harshly upon; to offend by coarse or rough treatment or language; as, some sounds rasp the ear; his insults rasped my temper.
REAR a.
division of an army that marches in the rear of the main body to protect it; -- used also figuratively. -- Rear line (Mil.), the line in the rear of an army. -- Rear rank (Mil.), the rank or line of a body of troops which is in the rear, or last in order. -- Rear sight (Firearms), the sight nearest the breech. -- T…
REARWARD n.
The last troop; the rear of an army; a rear guard. Also used figuratively. Shak.
RECKON v.
or depend on. -- To reckon with, to settle accounts or claims with; -- used literally or figuratively. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. Matt. xxv. 19. -- To reckon without one's host, to ignore in a calculation or arrangement the person whose assent is essential; hence, to…
RECUMBENT a.
Leaning; reclining; lying; as, the recumbent posture of the Romans at their meals. Hence, figuratively; Resting; inactive; idle. -- Re*cum"bent*ly, adv.
RED-HOT a.
Red with heat; heated to redness; as, red-hot iron; red-hot balls. Hence, figuratively, excited; violent; as, a red-hot radical. Shak.
REFRIGERANT n.
, a medicine or an application for allaying fever, or the symptoms of fever; -- used also figuratively. Holland. "A refrigerant to passion." Blair.
REMOTE a.
Hence, removed; not agreeing, according, or being related; -- in various figurative uses. Specifically:
RENT n.
Figuratively, a schim; a rupture of harmony; a separation; as, a rent in the church.
REPAST n.
That which is taken as food; a meal; figuratively, any refreshment. "Sleep . . . thy best repast." Denham. Go and get me some repast. Shak.
REPLY v.
Figuratively, to do something in return for something done; as, to reply to a signal; to reply to the fire of a battery.
REPOSE v.
Figuratively, to remain or abide restfully without anxiety or alarms. It is upon these that the soul may repose. I. Taylor.
REPULSE n.
Figuratively: Refusal; denial; rejection; failure.
RESORT n.
s self; the act of visiting or seeking; recourse; as, a place of popular resort; -- often figuratively; as, to have resort to force. Join with me to forbid him her resort. Shak.
RETUND v.
To blunt; to turn, as an edge; figuratively, to cause to be obtuse or dull; as, to retund confidence. Ray. Cudworth.
REVOLVING a.
Making a revolution or revolutions; rotating; -- used also figuratively of time, seasons, etc., depending on the revolution of the earth. But grief returns with the revolving year. Shelley. Revolving seasons, fruitless as they pass. Cowper. Revolving firearm. See Revolver. -- Revolving light, a light or lamp in a ligh…
RHADAMANTHUS; RHADAMANTHYS n.
One of the three judges of the internal regions; figuratively, a strictly just judge.
RING n.
An inclosed space in which pugilists fight; hence, figuratively, prize fighting. "The road was an institution, the ring was an institution." Thackeray.
RISE v.
In various figurative senses. Specifically: --
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