Rood-beam, Chr. The beam across the church by which the rood was supported when there was no rood-loft.
Rood-cloth, Chr. The veil by which the large crucifix or rood was hidden during Lent.
Rood-loft, Rood-screen, Chr. A gallery, generally placed over the chancel screen in parish churches, in which the cross or rood was set to view.
Rood-tower, Rood-steeple, Chr. Arch. A tower or steeple of a cruciform church, built above the intersection, i. e. immediately over the rood.
Roquelaure. “A short abridgment or compendium of a cloak, which is dedicated to the Duke of Roquelaure.”
Rorarii, R. (ros, the dew). A body of light skirmishers in the Roman army, who were ranged in the second rank of the triarii, with the accensi behind them in the third line. They took their name from the light missiles which they scattered upon the enemy, which were like the drops of rain before a thunder shower. It was their business to begin the attack, and retire behind the triarii when pressed. Their skirmishing was a prelude to the charge of the heavy-armed spears (hastati).
Rosary, Chr. A string or chaplet of beads for numbering prayers, an Oriental and ante-Christian custom of great antiquity. They are called tasbih by the Indian Mohammedans; in Sanscrit Japanata, “the muttering chaplet,” &c.
Fig. 590. Heraldic Roses.
Rose, Her. Represented in blazon without leaves. The rose of England is generally drawn like the natural flower, or with natural stem, branches, leaves, and buds, but with heraldic rose-flowers. (See Fig. [395].) In Classic art, a rose upon a tomb is an emblem of a short life. The ancient Romans were passionately fond of roses, and cultivated them assiduously in their gardens, and introduced them plentifully in their feasts and symposia. In mediæval England roses were the favourite presents on birthdays; and Whitsuntide was called, from the plenty of them, Rose Easter. Sticking a rose in the ear was the boast of an accepted lover.