Chapter Roarer to Rock of R by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

of the genera Thamnobia and Pratincola. They are mostly black, usually with some white on the wings. —

Magrie robin (Zoöl.), an Asiatic singing bird having the back, head, neck, and breast black glossed with blue, the wings black, and the belly white. — Ragged robin. (Bot.) See under Ragged. — Robin accentor (Zoöl.), a small Asiatic singing bird somewhat resembling the European robin. — Robin redbreast. (Zoöl.) (a) The European robin. (b) The American robin. (c) The American bluebird. — Robin snipe. (Zoöl.) (a) The red-breasted snipe, or dowitcher. (b) The red-breasted sandpiper, or knot. — Robin's plantain. (Bot.) See under Plantain. — Sea robin. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of several species of American gurnards of the genus Prionotus. They are excellent food fishes. Called also wingfish. The name is also applied to a European gurnard. (b) The red-breasted merganser, or sheldrake. [Local, U.S.] — Water robin (Zoöl.), a redstart (Ruticulla fuliginosa), native of India.

Robinet
(Rob"i*net) n.

1. (Zoöl.) (a) The chaffinch; — called also roberd. (b) The European robin.

2. A military engine formerly used for throwing darts and stones.

Robing
(Rob"ing) n. The act of putting on a robe.

Robing room, a room where official robes are put on, as by judges, etc.

Robin Goodfellow
(Rob"in Good"fel`low) A celebrated fairy; Puck. See Puck. Shak.

Robinia
(||Ro*bin"i*a) n. [NL. So called after Jean Robin, a French herbalist.] (Bot.) A genus of leguminous trees including the common locust of North America

Roborant
(Rob"o*rant) a. [L. roborans, p. pr. See Roborate.] Strengthening. — n. (Med.) A strengthening medicine; a tonic.

Roborate
(Rob"o*rate) v. t. [L. roboratus, p. pr. of roborare to strengthen, fr. robur, roboris, strength.] To give strength or support to; to confirm. [Obs.] Fuller.

Roboration
(Rob`o*ra"tion) n. [LL. roboratio.] The act of strengthening. [Obs.] Coles.

Roborean
(Ro*bo"re*an Ro*bo"re*ous) a. [L. roboreus.] Made of oak. [Obs.]

Robust
(Ro*bust") a. [L. robustus oaken, hard, strong, fr. robur strength, a very hard kind of oak; cf. Skr. rabhas violence: cf. F. robuste.]

1. Evincing strength; indicating vigorous health; strong; sinewy; muscular; vigorous; sound; as, a robust body; robust youth; robust health.

2. Violent; rough; rude.

While romp-loving miss
Is hauled about in gallantry robust.

Thomson.

3. Requiring strength or vigor; as, robust employment. Locke.

Syn. — Strong; lusty; sinewy; sturdy; muscular; hale; hearty; vigorous; forceful; sound. — Robust, Strong. Robust means, literally, made of oak, and hence implies great compactness and toughness of muscle, connected with a thick-set frame and great powers of endurance. Strong denotes the power of exerting great physical force. The robust man can bear heat or cold, excess or privation, and toil on through every kind of hardship; the strong man can lift a great weight, can give a heavy blow, and a hard gripe. "Robust, tough sinews bred to toil." Cowper.

Then 'gan the villain wax so fierce and strong,
That nothing may sustain his furious force.

Spenser.