RAVE-HOOK. In ship carpentry, a hooked iron tool used when enlarging the butts for receiving a sufficient quantity of oakum.
RAVELIN. In fortification, an outwork consisting of two long faces meeting in a salient angle, covering the curtain, and, generally, the shoulders of the bastions; it affords a powerful defence to the ground in front of the latter, which may rarely be approached till after the fall of the ravelin.
RAVINE. A deep chasm through which the rains are carried off elevated lands.
RAY. A line of sight. Also, a flat rhomboidal fish with a rough skin; genus, Raia.
RAZE, To. To level or demolish (applicable to works or buildings).
RAZED. Fortifications are said to be razed when totally demolished.
RAZOR-BACK. The fin-whale (Balænoptera), so called from its prominent dorsal fin. It usually attains the length of 70 feet.
RAZOR-BILL. A sea-fowl allied to the auks, Alca torda.
REACH, or Ratch. A straight part of a navigable river; the distance between any two elbows on the banks, wherein the current flows in uninterrupted course.
REACHING. Sometimes used for standing off and on: a vessel is also said to be on a reach, when she is sailing by the wind upon any tack. A vessel also reaches ahead of her adversary.