Roumania. As its name implies, this was anciently a Roman province.
Roumelia. A Turkish corruption of Roumania, “the country of the Romans.”
Roundheads. The Parliamentary soldiers under Cromwell, so called from the custom of the Puritans of cropping the hair close to the head, as opposed to that of the Cavaliers, who wore it long.
Rouser. An Americanism for what we in this country style a “Pick-me-up.”
Rout. A fashionable assembly, so called from the German rotte and Celtic “rhauter,” a crowd. The name is now never heard, but what are called “Rout Seats,” generally requisitioned for such gatherings, are still let out on hire.
Rowton Houses. The name given to large blocks of tenements exclusively designed for the accommodation of unmarried clerks and others employed in the city. The foundation of the late Lord Rowton.
Roxburgh. From the Celtic ross, a headland, the castle on the promontory.
Roxburghe. A superior style of bookbinding, so called from that uniformly adopted by the Roxburghe Club, a society established for printing rare books, and named after John, Duke of Roxburghe, a famous collector of works of art and literature.
Royalists. The adherents of Charles I. in the Civil War.
Royal Maunds. The name given to doles of money corresponding to the years of life attained by the reigning monarch to the poor on “Maundy Thursday.” This custom has been in vogue ever since the time of Edward III.