Rusalka, rōō-sal′ka, n. a Russian water-nymph.
Ruscus, rus′kus, n. a genus of monocotyledonous plants of the order Liliaceæ—containing Butcher's broom, Shepherd's myrtle, &c. [L. ruscum.]
Ruse, rōōz, n. a turning or doubling, as of animals to get out of the way of dogs: a trick, fraud, or the use of such.—n. Ruse-de-guerre, a stratagem of war. [O. Fr. ruse—ruser, reūser, to get out of the way—L. recusāre, to decline.]
Rush, rush, v.i. to move with a shaking, rustling noise, as the wind: to move forward violently: to enter rashly and hastily.—v.t. to drive: to push, to secure by rushing.—n. a rushing or driving forward: an eager demand: urgent pressure, as of business: a stampede of cattle: in football, when a player forces his way by main strength.—n. Rush′er, in football, a player whose special duty it is to force the ball toward his opponents' goal: a go-ahead person. [Skeat explains M. E. ruschen as from Sw. ruska, to rush, to shake, an extension of Old Sw. rusa, to rush. Cf. Rouse.]
Rush, rush, n. a genus (Juncus) of marshy plants, some absolutely destitute of leaves, but with barren scapes resembling leaves: the name esp. of those species with no proper leaves, the round stems known as rushes: a wick: the merest trifle.—n. Rush′-bear′ing, a country feast, when the parish church was strewn with rushes, between haymaking and harvest: the day of the festival.—adj. Rush′-bott′omed, having a seat or bottom made with rushes.—ns. Rush′-buck′ler (obs.), a swash-buckler; Rush′-can′dle, -light, a candle or night-light having a wick of rush-pith: a small, feeble light.—adj. Rush′en, made of rushes.—ns. Rush′-hold′er, a clip-candlestick used for rush-lights; Rush′iness.—adj. Rush′-like, resembling a rush: weak.—ns. Rush′-lil′y, a plant of the species of blue-eyed grass; Rush′-nut, the Cyperus esculentus, whose tubers are eaten in southern Europe; Rush′-toad, the natterjack.—adjs. Rush′y, full of, or made of, rushes; Rush′y-fringed.—n. Rusk′ie, any utensil made of straw, &c., as a basket, &c.—Flowering rush, an aquatic plant; Marry with a rush, to wed in jest. [A.S. risce, like Ger. risch, from L. ruscum, rustum.]
Rusk, rusk, n. a kind of light hard cake: a kind of light soft cake or sweetened biscuit. [Sp. rosca, a roll; cf. Rosca de mar, a sea-rusk; origin unknown.]
Rusma. See Rhusma.
Russel, rus′el, n. (obs.) a fox: a twilled woollen material.—n. Russ′el-cord, a kind of rep made of cotton and wool. [O. Fr. roussel—L. russus, red.]
Russet, rus′et, adj. rusty or reddish-brown: coarse: rustic: of russet-leather.—n. a coarse homespun dress.—ns. Russ′eting, an apple of a russet colour and rough skin; Russ′et-leath′er.—adj. Russ′ety. [O. Fr. rousset—L. russus, red.]
Russian, rush′yan, adj. relating to Russia, a country of Europe, or to its people.—n. a native of Russia: the Russian language.—adj. Russ, belonging to the Russians.—n. a Russian: the Russian language.—v.t. Russ′ianise, to give Russian characteristics to.—n. Russificā′tion.—v.t. Rus′sify, to Russianise.—ns. Rus′so-Byzan′tine, the national art of Russian architecture; Rus′sophile, one who favours Russian policy (also adj.); Rus′sophilism; Rus′sophilist; Rus′sophobe, one who dreads or hates the Russians—also Rus′sophobist; Russophō′bia, the dread of Russian policy.—Russia leather (see Leather).