A musical director was having a lot of trouble with one drummer. He talked and talked and talked with the drummer, but his performance simply didn"t improve.
Finally, before the whole orchestra, he said, "When a musician just can"t handle his instrument and doesn"t improve when given help, they take away the instrument, and give him two sticks, and make him a drummer."
A stage whisper was heard from the percussion section: "And if he can"t handle even that, they take away one of his sticks and make him a conductor."
—n. - tenant's periodical payment to an owner for the use of land or premises.
- payment for the use of equipment etc. —v. - (often foll. By from) take, occupy, or use at a rent.
- (often foll. By out) let or hire (a thing) for rent.
- (foll. By at) be let at a specified rate. [french rente: related to *render]
- n. - large tear in a garment etc.
- opening in clouds etc. [from *rend]
- past and past part. Of *rend.
REST
home n. Place where old or convalescent people are cared for.
- room n. Esp. Us public lavatory.
- —v. - cease from exertion, action, etc.
- be still or asleep, esp. To refresh oneself or recover strength.
- give relief or repose to; allow to rest.
- (foll. By on, upon, against) lie on; be supported by.
- (foll. By on, upon) depend or be based on.
- (foll. By on, upon) (of a look) alight or be steadily directed on.
- (foll. By on, upon) place for support or foundation on.
- (of a problem or subject) be left without further investigation or discussion (let the matter rest).
- a lie in death. B (foll. By in) lie buried in (a churchyard etc.). 10 (as rested adj.) Refreshed by resting. —n. - repose or sleep.
- cessation of exertion, activity, etc.
- period of resting.
- support for holding or steadying something.
- mus. A interval of silence. B sign denoting this. at rest not moving; not agitated or troubled; dead. Be resting euphem. (of an actor) be out of work. Rest one's case conclude one's argument etc. Rest on one's laurels not seek further success. Rest on one's oars relax one's efforts. Set at rest settle or relieve (a question, a person's mind, etc.). [old english]
- —n. (prec. By the) the remaining part or parts; the others; the remainder of some quantity or number. —v. - remain in a specified state (rest assured).
- (foll. By with) be left in the hands or charge of (the final arrangements rest with you). for the rest as regards anything else. [french rester remain]
REVD
abbr. Reverend.
RHEA
n. S. American flightless ostrich-like bird. [greek rhea mother name of zeus]
RICE
n. - swamp grass cultivated in esp. Asian marshes.
- grains of this, used as food. [french ris ultimately from greek oruza]
RICH
adj. - having much wealth.
- splendid, costly, elaborate.
- valuable (rich offerings).
- copious, abundant, ample (rich supply of ideas).
- (often foll. By in, with) (of soil or a region etc.) Fertile; abundant in resources etc. (rich in nutrients).
- (of food or diet) containing much fat or spice etc.
- (of the mixture in an internal-combustion engine) containing a high proportion of fuel.
- (of colour, sound, or smell) mellow and deep, strong and full.
- highly amusing or ludicrous; outrageous. richness n. [old english and french]
RICK
n. Stack of hay etc. [old english]
- (also wrick) —n. Slight sprain or strain. —v. Sprain or strain slightly. [low german wricken]
RIDE
—v. (-ding; past rode; past part. Ridden) 1 (often foll. By on, in) travel or be carried on (a bicycle etc.) Or esp. Us in (a vehicle); be conveyed (rode her bike; rode on her bike; rode the tram).
- (often foll. By on; also absol.) Be carried by (a horse etc.).
- be carried or supported by (ship rides the waves).
- traverse or take part in on horseback etc. (ride 50 miles; rode the prairie).
- a lie at anchor; float buoyantly. B (of the moon) seem to float. 6 yield to (a blow) so as to reduce its impact.
- give a ride to; cause to ride (rode me home).
- (of a rider) cause (a horse etc.) To move forward (rode their horses at the fence).
- (as ridden adj.) (foll. By by, with, or in comb.) Be dominated by; be infested with (ridden with guilt; rat-ridden cellar). —n. - journey or spell of riding in a vehicle, or on a horse, bicycle, person's back, etc.
- path (esp. Through woods) for riding on.
- specified kind of ride (bumpy ride).
- amusement for riding on at a fairground etc. let a thing ride leave it undisturbed. Ride again reappear as strong etc. As ever. Ride high be elated or successful. Ride out come safely through (a storm, danger, etc.). Ride roughshod over see *roughshod. Ride up (of a garment) work upwards out of place. Take for a ride colloq. Hoax or deceive. [old english]
RIFE
predic. Adj. - of common occurrence; widespread.
- (foll. By with) abounding in. [old english, probably from old norse]
RIFF
n. Short repeated phrase in jazz etc. [abbreviation of *riffle]
