Chapter Ridgeband to Right of R by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

2. A festival procession. [Obs.]

When there any riding was in Cheap.

Chaucer.

3. Same as Ride, n., 3. Sir P. Sidney.

4. A district in charge of an excise officer. [Eng.]

Ridotto
(||Ri*dot"to) n. [It., fr. LL. reductus a retreat. See Redoubt.] A favorite Italian public entertainment, consisting of music and dancing, — held generally on fast eves. Brande & C.

There are to be ridottos at guinea tickets.

Walpole.

Ridotto
(Ri*dot"to), v. i. To hold ridottos. [R.] J. G. Cooper.

Rie
(Rie) n. See Rye. [Obs.] Holland.

Rie grass. (Bot.) (a) A kind of wild barley (Hordeum pratense). Dr. Prior. (b) Ray grass. Dr. Prior.

Rief
(Rief) n. [See Reave.] Robbery. [Obs. or Scot.]

Rietboc
(Riet"boc) n. [D. riet reed + bok buck.] (Zoöl.) The reedbuck, a South African antelope (Cervicapra arundinacea); — so called from its frequenting dry places covered with high grass or reeds. Its color is yellowish brown. Called also inghalla, and rietbok.

Rife
(Rife) a. [AS. rif abundant, or Icel. rifr munificent; akin to OD. riff, rijve, abundant.]

1. Prevailing; prevalent; abounding.

Before the plague of London, inflammations of the lungs were rife and mortal.

Arbuthnot.

Even now the tumult of loud mirth
Was rife, and perfect in may listening ear.

Milton.

2. Having power; active; nimble. [Obs.]

What! I am rife a little yet.

J. Webster.

— Rife"ly, adv. — Rife"ness, n.

Riffle
(Rif"fle) n. [CF. G. riffeln, riefeln, to groove. Cf. Rifle a gun.] (Mining) A trough or sluice having cleats, grooves, or steps across the bottom for holding quicksilver and catching particles of gold when auriferous earth is washed; also, one of the cleats, grooves, or steps in such a trough. Also called ripple.

Riffler
(Rif"fler) n. [See Riffle.] A curved file used in carving wool and marble.

Riffraff
(Riff"raff`) n. [OE. rif and raf every particle, OF. rif et raf. CF. Raff, and 1st Rifle.] Sweepings; refuse; the lowest order of society. Beau. & Fl.

Rifle
(Ri"fle) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rifled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Rifling ] [F. rifler to rifle, sweep away; of uncertain origin. CF. Raff.]

1. To seize and bear away by force; to snatch away; to carry off.

Till time shall rifle every youthful grace.

Pope.