Defn: A fictious name for a party, real or fictious, to an act or proceeding. Other names were formerly similarly used, as John-a- Nokes, John o', or of the, Nokes, or Noakes, John-a-Stiles, etc.
ROESTONE
Roe"stone`, n. (Min.)
Defn: Same as Oölite.
ROGATION Ro*ga"tion, n. Etym: [L. rogatio, fr. rogare, rogatum, to ask, beg, supplicate: cf. F. rogation. Cf. Abrogate, Arrogant, Probogue.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: The demand, by the consuls or tribunes, of a law to be passed by the people; a proposed law or decree.
2. (Eccl.)
Defn: Litany; supplication.
He perfecteth the rogations or litanies before in use. Hooker.
Rogation days (Eccl.), the three days which immediately precede
Ascension Day; — so called as being days on which the people,
walking in procession, sang litanies of special supplication.
— Rogation flower (Bot.), a European species of milkwort (Polygala
vulgaris); — so called from its former use for garlands in Rogation
week. Dr. Prior.
— Rogation week, the second week before Whitsunday, in which the
Rogation days occur.
ROGATORY
Rog"a*to*ry, a. Etym: [See Rogation.]
Defn: Seeking information; authorized to examine witnesses or ascertain facts; as, a rogatory commission. Woolsey.