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."
v. (-zing; past refroze; past part. Refrozen) freeze again.
REFROZEN
past part. Of *refreeze.
REGICIDE
n. - person who kills or helps to kill a king.
- killing of a king. [latin rex reg- king, *-cide]
REGIMENT
—n. - a permanent unit of an army, usu. Commanded by a colonel and divided into several companies, troops, or batteries. B operational unit of artillery etc.
- (usu. Foll. By of) large or formidable array or number. —v. - organize (esp. Oppressively) in groups or according to a system.
- form into a regiment or regiments. regimentation n. [latin: related to *regimen]
REGISTER
office n. State office where civil marriages are conducted.
- —n. - official list, e.g. Of births, marriages, and deaths, of children in a class, of shipping, of professionally qualified persons, or of qualified voters in a constituency.
- book in which items are recorded for reference.
- device recording speed, force, etc.
- a compass of a voice or instrument. B part of this compass (lower register).
- adjustable plate for widening or narrowing an opening and regulating a draught, esp. In a fire-grate.
- a set of organ pipes. B sliding device controlling this.
- = *cash register.
- form of a language (colloquial, literary, etc.) Used in particular circumstances.
- computing a memory location having specific properties and quick access time. —v. - set down (a name, fact, complaint, etc.) Formally; record in writing.
- enter or cause to be entered in a particular register.
- commit (a letter etc.) To registered post.
- (of an instrument) record automatically; indicate.
- a express (an emotion) facially or by gesture (registered surprise). B (of an emotion) show in a person's face or gestures.
- make an impression on a person's mind. [latin regero -gest- transcribe, record]
REGISTRY
n. (pl. -ies) place where registers or records are kept. [medieval latin: related to *register]
- office n. = *register office.
REGULATE
v. (-ting) 1 control by rule.
- subject to restrictions.
- adapt to requirements.
- alter the speed of (a machine or clock) so that it works accurately. regulator n. Regulatory adj. [latin: related to *regular]
REHEARSE
v. (-sing) 1 practise (a play, music, etc.) For later public performance.
- hold a rehearsal.
- train (a person) by rehearsal.
- recite or say over.
- give a list of, enumerate. [anglo-french: related to *hearse]
REIMPOSE
v. (-sing) impose again, esp. After a lapse.
REINDEER
n. (pl. Same or -s) subarctic deer with large antlers. [old norse]
