radoucir, v.a., to soften, to make milder, to appease, to pacify, to mitigate, to allay.
se radoucir, v.r., to soften, to grow milder, to become milder, to get milder; to grow soft, to become soft, to get soft; to subside, to be appeased, to be pacified; to relent, to relax, to soften down. Le temps se radoucit; it is getting milder or better weather.
radoucissement (-sis-mān), n.m., softening, getting milder (of the weather); mitigation, allaying, appeasement, improvement.
rafale, n.f., (nav.) squall.
rafalé, adj., caught in a squall; (pop. & fig.) hard up, up a tree.
raffe, n.f. V. rafle.
raffermir, v.a., to harden, to make firm; to fasten; to establish, to confirm, to settle, to secure, to fortify, to strengthen. Cet événement raffermit son autorité; that event strengthened his authority. — le courage de quelqu’un; to give heart to any one.
se raffermir, v.r., to grow stronger, to gather strength; to be established, to become established, to consolidate; to be confirmed, to become confirmed; to improve. Sa santé se raffermit; his health is improving.
raffermissement (-mis-mān), n.m., hardening, strengthening; confirmation, establishment, fastening, securing, consolidation, improvement.
raffinade, n.f., best refined sugar.