Raphania, raf-ā′ni-a, n. ergotism, a disease occurring in two forms, a spasmodic and a gangrenous, due to the use of rye, wheat, rice, &c., in which a poisonous fungus has developed.—n. Raph′anus, a genus of Cruciferæ, the radish family.
Raphe, rā′fē, n. (anat.) a seam-like union of two lateral halves, either a median septum of connective tissue or a longitudinal ridge: the fibro-vascular cord joining the hilum of an anatropous or amphitropous ovule or seed with the chalaza: a line or rib connecting the nodules on a diatom-valve. [Gr. rhaphē, a seam.]
Raphia, rā′fi-a, n. a genus of handsome pinnately-leaved palms. [Malagasy.]
Raphides, raf′i-dēz, n.pl. crystals found in the interior of the cells of plants:—sing. Rā′phis.—adjs. Rāphid′ian, Raphidif′erous. [Gr. rhaphis, rhaphidos, a needle—rhaptein, to sew.]
Raphigraph, raf′i-graf, n. a kind of typewriter for the blind, pricking characters in paper by needle-points. [Gr. rhaphis, a needle, graphein, to write.]
Rapid, rap′id, adj. hurrying along: very swift: speedy.—n. that part of a river where the current is most rapid (gen. in pl.).—n. Rapid′ity, quickness of motion or utterance: swiftness: velocity.—adv. Rap′idly.—n. Rap′idness. [Fr. rapide—L. rapidus—rapĕre, to seize.]
Rapidamente, ra-pē-dä-men′te, adv. (mus.) rapidly.—adv. Rap′ido, with rapidity. [It.]
Rapier, rā′pi-ėr, n. a light, highly tempered, edgeless, thrusting weapon, finely pointed, and about 3 feet in length, long the favourite weapon in duelling.—n. Rā′pier-fish, a swordfish. [Fr. rapière, prob. from Sp. raspadera—raspar, rapar, to rasp.]
Rapine, rap′in, n. act of seizing and carrying away forcibly: plunder: violence. [Fr.,—L. rapina—rapĕre, to seize.]
Raping, rā′ping, adj. (her.) tearing its prey: (obs.) transporting, ravishing.