rapprochement 
re-, back, + approcher, approach : see approach.] 
A coming or bringing together or into accord; 
establishment of harmonious relations ; recon- 
ciliation. 
The present rapprochement between the Turk and the 
Muscovite. The Academy, Dec. 15, 1888, p. 379. 
He [Lewes] here seeks to effect a rapprochetnent between 
metaphysic and science. Encyc. Brit., XIV. 491. 
rapscallion (rap-skal'yon), n. [A modified form 
of rascalUon.~\ A rascally, disorderly, or despi- 
cable person ; a wretch or vagabond ; a rascal- 
lion. 
Well, rapscallions ! and what now ! 
Barham, Ingoldsby Legends, I. 87. 
There isn't any low, friendless rapscallion in this town 
that hasn't got me for his friend. 
Howellg, Annie Kilburn, xi. 
rapscallionry (rap-skal'you-ri), n. [< rapscal- 
lion + -ry.] Rascals collectively. [Bare.] 
rapt 1 (rapt). A preterit and past participle of 
rap 1 . 
rapt 2 (rapt), p. a. [Early mod. E. spelling of 
rapped, pp. of rapt, confused with L. raptus, 
pp. of rapere, seize: see rap 2 , and cf. rapt 3 .'] 
Seized with ecstasy; transported; exalted; 
ecstatic ; in a state of rapture. 
More dances my rapt heart 
Than when I first my wedded mistress saw 
Bestride my threshold. Shak., Cor., iv. 6. 122. 
Looks commercing with the skies, 
Thy rapt soul sitting in thine eyes. 
Millon, II Penseroso, I. 40. 
Their faces wore a rapt expression, as if sweet music 
were in the air around them. 
Hawthorne, Hall of Fantasy. 
rapt 3 t (rapt), v. t. [< L. raptare, seize and 
carry off, freq. of rapere, pp. raptus, seize : see 
rapt 2 , and cf. rap 2 , rape 2 .] 1. To seize or 
grasp ; seize and carry off ; ravish. 
The Lybian lion, . . . 
Out-rushing from his den, rapts all away. 
Daniel, Civil Wars, vii. 97. 
We are a man distinct . . . 
From those whom custom rapteth in her press. 
B. Jonson, Poetaster, v. 1. 
2. To transport as with ecstasy; enrapture. 
So those that dwell in me, and live by frugal toil, 
When they in my defence are reasoning of my soil, 
As rapted with my wealth and beauties, learned grow. 
Drayton, Polyolbion, xiii. 411. 
rapt 3 t (rapt), n. [< F. rapt, OF. rat, rap = Pr. 
rap = Sp. Pg. rapto = It. ratto, < L. raptus, a 
seizure, plundering, abduction, rape, ML. also 
forcible violation, < rapere, pp. raptus, seize, 
snatch: see rapt 2 , a., and cf. rapture.] 1. 
Transporting force or energy; resistless move- 
ment. 
And therefore in this Encyclopedic and round of know- 
ledge, like the great and exemplary wheels of heaven, we 
must observe two circles : that while we are daily carried 
about, and whirled on by the swing and rapt of the one, 
we may maintain a natural proper course in the slow and 
sober wheel of the other. Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., Pref. 
2. An ecstasy; a trance. 
Dissimulyng traunces and raptes. 
Ball, Hen. VIII., an. 25. 
He seemeth to lye as thoughe he were in great payne or 
in a rapte, wonderfully tormentynge hym selfe. 
R. Eden, tr. of Gonzalus Oviedus (First Books on America, 
[ed. Arber, p. 215). 
An extraordinary rapt and act of prophesying. 
Bp. Morton, Discharge of Imput. (1633), p. 174. 
Raptatores (rap-ta-to'rez), n. pi. [NL., pi. of 
raptator, < L. raptare, seize and carry off, 
waste, ravage, plunder: see rapt 2 , rapfi.] In 
ornith., same as Eaptores. Illiger, 1811. 
Raptatoria (rap-ta-to'ri-a), n. pi. [NL. : see 
Baptatores.] In entom., same &s Raptoria. 
raptatorial (rap-ta-to'ri-al), . [< raptatory 
+ -al.] Same as raptorial. 
raptatory (rap'ta-to-ri), a. [< NL. "raptatorius, 
< raptator, a robber, plunderer : see Baptatores.] 
In entom., formed for seizing prey; raptorial. 
raptert (rap'ter), n. Same as raptor, 1. 
raptor (rap'tor), n. [= Sp. Pg. raptor = It. 
rattore, < L. 'raptor, robber, plunderer, abduc- 
tor, < rapere, pp. raptus, seize, carry off: see 
rapt 2 , rapt 3 .] If. Aravisher; a plunderer. 
To have her harmless life by the lewd rapter spilt. 
Drayton, Polyolbion, x. 149. 
2. [cap.] [NL.] A genus of coleopterous in- 
sects. 
Raptores (rap-to'rez), . pi. [NL., pi. of L. 
raptor, robber, plunderer: see raptor,] An 
order of Aves, the Accipitres of Linneeus, the 
Baptatores, Bapaces, or Aetomorplise of some 
authors ; the raptorial or rapacious birds ; the 
birds of prey. They have an epignathous cered beak, 
and talons generally fitted for grasping live prey. The 
bill is hooked and often also toothed. The toes are four, 
three in front and one behind, with large crooked claws ; 
4963 
the outer toe is sometimes versatile. The plumage is 
aftershafted or not ; the oil-gland is present and usually 
tufted. The carotids are two ; the syrinx has not more 
than one pair of intrinsic muscles. Cceca are present 
(except in Cathartid&). The maxillopalatines are united 
to an ossified septum ; the angle of the mandible is not 
recurved. The Raptores are found in every part of the 
world. There are upward of 500 species, mostly belong- 
Raptorcs. 
I, head and foot of golden eagle (Aqnila chrysattos); a, head 
and foot of gerfalcon (Fctlco gyrfalco). 
ing to the two families Falconidee and Strigidse. The 
Raptores are divided into 4 suborders or superfamilies : 
(1) the African Oypogeranides ; (2) the American Cathar- 
tides; (3) the cosmopolitan diurnal birds of prey, Acci- 
pitres ; and (4) the cosmopolitan nocturnal birds of prey, 
the owls, Striges. 
Baptoria (rap-to'ri-a), n.pl. [NL., < L. raptor, 
robber: see Baptores.] In entom., in West- 
wood's system (1839), a division of orthopterous 
insects; the Mantidse (which see). Westwood's 
Raptoria were a part of Latreille's Cursoria, the rest of 
which Westwood called Ambulatoria and Cursoria. Also 
Raptatoria. 
raptorial (rap-to'ri-al), a. and n. [< raptori-ous 
+ -al.] I. a. 1. Rapacious; predatory; preying 
upon animals ; of or pertaining to the Eaptores 
or Raptoria. 2. Fitted for seizing and hold- 
ing; prehensile: as, the raptorial beak or claws 
of birds ; the raptorial palps of insects Rap- 
torial legs, in entom., legs in which the tibia? and tarsi 
turn back on the femur, often fitting into it like the blade 
of a pocket-knife into a handle ; the tibia) may also be 
armed with teeth or spines, thus forming very powerful 
seizing-organs. This type is found only in the front legs, 
and it is most fully developed in the Mantidee. See cut 
under Mantis. 
II. n. A bird of prey ; a member of the Bap- 
tores. 
raptorious (rap-to'ri-us), a. [< NL. *raptorius, 
< L. raptor, a robber, plunderer: see raptor.] 
In entom., same as raptorial. Kirby. [Bare.] 
rapture (rap'tur), n. [< rapfl- + -lire.] If. A 
violent taking and carrying away; seizure; 
forcible removal. 
Spite of all the rapture of the sea, 
This jewel holds his building on my arm. 
Shale., Pericles, ii. 1. 161. 
When St. Paul had his rapture into heaven, he saw fine 
things. Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), II. 131. 
2. Violent transporting movement; a rapid 
carrying or going along; moving energy. 
Wave rolling after wave, where way they found ; 
If steep, with torrent rapture; if through plain, 
Soft ebbing. Milton, P. L., vii. 299. 
With the rapture of great winds to blow 
About earth s shaken coignes. 
Lowell, Agassiz, vi. 1. 
3. A state of mental transport or exaltation ; 
ecstasy, (a) Ecstatic pleasure ; rapt delight or enjoy- 
ment ; extreme joy over or gladness on account of some- 
thing. 
I have never heard 
Praise of love or wine 
That panted forth a flood of rapture so divine. 
Shelley, To a Skylark. 
To exercise a devilish ingenuity in inventions of mutual 
torture became not only a duty but a rapture. 
Motley, Dutch Republic, II. 426. 
(i>) Ecstatic elevation of thought or feeling ; lofty or soar- 
ing enthusiasm ; exalted or absorbing earnestness. 
This man, beyond a Stolck apathy, sees truth as in a rap- 
ture, and cleaves to it. Milton, Apology for Smectymnuus 
You grow correct that once with rapture writ. 
Pope, Epil. to the Satires, L 3. 
There is a rapture on the lonely shore . . . 
By the deep sea, and music in its roar. 
Byron, Childe Harold, iv. 178. 
4. A manifestation of mental transport; an 
ecstatic utterance or action ; an expression of 
exalted or passionate feeling of any kind ; a 
rhapsody. 
Her [Cassandra's] brain-sick raptures 
Cannot distaste the goodness of a quarrel 
Which hath our several honours all engaged 
To make it gracious. Shak., T. and C., il. 2. 122. 
rare 
Are not groans and tears 
Harmonious raptures in th' Almighty's ears? 
Quarles, Emblems, iv. 15. 
5f. An ecstasy of passionate excitement; a 
paroxysm or fit from excessive emotion. [Bare.] 
Your prattling nurse 
Into a rapture lets her baby cry. 
Shak., Cor., Ii. 1. 223. 
= Syn. 3. Transport, bliss, exaltation. 
raptured (rap'turd), a. [< rapture + -ed 2 .] In 
a state of rapture ; characterized by rapture or 
ecstasy; enraptured. 
Raptur'd I stood, and as this hour amaz'd, 
With rev'rence at the lofty wonder gaz'd. 
Pope, Odyssey, vi. 199. 
The latent Damon drew 
Such maddening draughts of beauty to his soul, 
As for a while o'erwhelm'd his raptured thought 
With luxury too-daring. Thomson, Summer, 1. 1333. 
That favored strain was Surrey's raptured line. 
Scott, L. of L. M., vi. 19. 
rapturist (rap'tur-ist), n. [< rapture + -ist.] 
One who habitually manifests rapture ; an en- 
thusiast. [Bare.] 
Such swarms of prophets and rapturists have flown out 
of those hives in some ages. 
J. Spencer, Vanity of Vulgar Prophecies (1665), p. 43. 
rapturous (rap'tur-us), a. [< rapture + -ous.] 
Oi the character of rapture ; marked by rapture ; 
exciting or manifesting rapture; ecstatically 
joyous or exalted : as, rapturous exultation ; a 
rapturous look; a rapturous scene. 
His welcome, before enthusiastic, was now rapturous. 
Everett, Orations, I. 480. 
rapturously (rap'tur-us-li), adv. In a raptur- 
ous manner; with rapture; ecstatically. 
raptus melancholiCUS (rap'tus mel-an-kol'i- 
kus). [NL. : L. raptus, a seizure ; melancholicus, 
melancholic: see rapt 2 , n., and melancholic.] 
A motor crisis or outbreak of uncontrollable 
violence developed in a melancholic person 
from the intensity of his mental anguish. 
raquet, n. See racket 2 . 
raquette (ra-kef), [F.] A racket Ra- 
quette head-dr6S8, a kind of head-dress in use toward 
the close of the sixteenth century, in which the hair is 
drawn back from the forehead and temples, and raised 
in a sort of crest ; a kind of chignon was arranged at the 
back of the head and covered by a cap of fine linen, darned 
net embroidery, or some similar material. 
rara (ra'ra), n. [S. Amer. ; imitative of its 
cry.] A bird, the South American plant-cut- 
ter, Phytotoma rara. Also called rarita. See 
cut under Phytotoma. 
rara avis (ra'ra a' vis); pi. rarse aves (ra're a'- 
vez). [L. , in full rara avis in terris, ' a rare bird 
on earth' a phrase applied by Horace (Sat. ii. 
2, 26) to the peacock: rara, fern, of rarus, rare, 
uncommon; aois, bird: see rare 1 and Aves.] A 
rare bird ; hence, a person or an object of a rare 
kind or character ; a prodigy. 
rare 1 (rar), a. [< ME. rare = D. raar = MLGK 
rar, LG. raar = Gr. Dan. Sw. rar, < OF. rare, 
fere, F. rare, dial, raire, rale, rase = Sp. Pg. 
It. raro, < L. rarus, thin, not dense, thinly scat- 
tered, few, rare, uncommon ; root unknown.] 
1. Thin; porous; not dense; of slight consis- 
tence; rarefied; having relatively little matter 
in a given volume : as, a rare substance ; the 
rare atmosphere of high mountains. 
The fiend 
O'er bog or steep, through strait, rough, dense, or rare, 
With head, hands, wings, or feet pursues his way. 
Milton, P. L., ii. 948. 
Water is nineteen times lighter, and by consequence 
nineteen times, rarer than gold. Newton, Optlcks, II. iii. 8. 
2. Thinly scattered; coming or occurring at 
wide intervals ; sparse ; dispersed. 
Cucumber in this moone is sowen rare. 
PaHadius, Husbondrie (E. E. T. S.), p. 110. 
The cattle in the fields and meadows green : 
Those rare and solitary, these in flocks 
Pasturing at once, and in broad herds upsprung. 
Milton, P. L., vii. 461. 
He left the barren-beaten thoroughfare, 
Chose the green path that show'd the rarer foot. 
Tennyson, Lancelot and Elaine. 
3. Very uncommon or infrequent ; seldom oc- 
curring or to be found ; hardly ever met with. 
She calls me proud, and that she could not love me 
Were man as rare as phoenix. 
Shale., As you Like it, iv. 3. 17. 
It is the rarest thing that ever I saw in any place, ney- 
ther do I thinke that any citie of Christendome hath the 
like. Coryat, Crudities, I. 192. 
When somany have written too much, we shall the more 
readily pardon the rare man who has written too little or 
just enough. Lowell, New Princeton Rev., I. 161. 
Hence 4. Bernarkable from uncommonness; 
especially, uncommonly good, excellent, valua- 
ble, fine, or the like ; of an excellence seldom 
met with. 
