Chapter Ready to Red Boots of R by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Rebus (Latin, with things). A hieroglyphic riddle, “non verbis sed rebus.” The origin of the word and custom is this: The basochiens of Paris, during the carnival, used to satirise the current follies of the day in squibs called De rebus quae geruntur (on the current events). That these squibs might not be accounted libellous, they employed hieroglyphics either wholly or in part.

Reception (To get a), in theatrical language means to be welcomed with applause from the front, when you make your first appearance for the night. This signifies that the audience recognises your established reputation.

Rechabites (3 syl.). A religious sect founded by Jonadab, son of Rechab, who enjoined his family to abstain from wine and to dwell in tents. (Jer. xxxv. 6, 7.)

Receipt is a direction for compounding or mixing together certain ingredients to make something required. It also means a written discharge to a debtor for the payment of a debt.

Recipe (3 syl.), Receipt. Recipe is Latin for take, and contracted into Rx is used in doctor's prescriptions. The dash through the R is an abbreviated form of, the symbol of Jupiter, and R means Recipe, deo volente.

Reck his own Rede (To). Give heed to his own counsel. (Old English, Rec[an], to heed; Raed, counsel, advice.)

Reckon (I). A peculiar phraseology common in the Southern States of America. Those in New England say, “I guess.” (See Calculate .)

Reckoning without your Host To guess what your expenses at an hotel will be before the bill has been delivered; to enter upon an enterprise without knowing the cost.

“We thought that now our troubles were over; ... but we reckoned without our host.”- Macmillan's Magazine, 1887.

Reclaim (2 syl.). To turn from evil ways. This is a term in falconry, and means to call back the hawk to the wrist. This was done when it was unruly, that it might be smoothed and tamed. (Latin, re- clamo.)

Recorded Death recorded means that the sentence of death is recorded or written by the recorder against the criminal, but not verbally pronounced by the judge. This is done when capital punishment is likely to be remitted. It is the verbal sentence of the judge that is the only sufficient warrant of an execution. The sovereign is now not consulted about any capital punishment.

Recreant is one who cries out (French, récrier); alluding to the judicial combats, when the person who wished to give in cried for mercy, and was held a coward and infamous. (See Craven .)

Rector (See Clerical Titles .)

Reculer pour Mieux Sauter To run back in order to give a better jump forwards; to give way a little in order to take up a stronger position.

“Where the empire sets its foot, it cannot withdraw without much loss of credit, whereas reculer pour mieux sauter must often be the most effective action in that tide of European civilisation, which is slowly, but surely, advancing into the heart of the Dark Continent.”- Nineteenth Century, December, 1892, p. 990.

Reculver The antiquities of this place are fully described in Antiquitates Rutupinae, by Dr. Battley (1711). It was a Roman fort in the time of Claudius.