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Rabbi. The title of a Jewish expounder of the Law. The word is Greek for “My Master,” through the Hebrew rabi, from the root rab, lord, chief.
Rack. From the Saxon wrocan and German recken, to stretch. The word is therefore correctly applied to the instrument of torture of former days.
Rack Rent. A term expressing the actual full annual value of land as paid from the earliest times, not modified by circumstances. See “[Rack].”
Radcliffe Library. Founded at Oxford by the celebrated physician, Dr John Radcliffe, in Radcliffe Square, also named after him.
Radicals. That advanced section of the Liberal party, whose set purpose it is to root out the evils, according to their view, of our constitutional system which are systematically maintained by the Conservatives. The term first came into notice in 1818, when a strenuous effort was made to institute a radical change in the Parliamentary representation of the country. This paved the way for the Reform Act of 1832.
Radnor. The modern form of Rhiadnwr-Gwy, signifying “The Cataract of the Wye.” This is in reference to the beautiful cascade, with a fall of seventy feet, called “The Water-break-its-Neck,” the great natural feature in the vicinity of the county town.
Rag. Theatrical slang for the curtain, having originally reference to the green baize. Also military slang for the national flag, and the members’ colloquial term for the Army and Navy Club.
Rag Fair. The name given to the old clothes mart in Petticoat Lane, now Middlesex Street, Aldgate, on Sunday mornings.
Ragged Regiment. Dilapidated waxen effigies of several English monarchs and persons of note that were borne through the streets at the obsequies of the subjects represented. They are located in Islip’s Chapel, Westminster Abbey.