Ransom - RAN'SOM, n.
1. The money or price paid for the redemption of a prisoner or slave, or for goods captured by an enemy; that which procures the release of a prisoner or captive, or of captured property, and restores the one to liberty and the other to the original owner.
By his captivity in Austria, and the heavy ransom he paid for his liberty, Richard was hindered from pursuing the conquest of Ireland.
2. Release from captivity, bondage or the possession of an enemy. They were unable to procure the ransom of the prisoners.
3. In law, a sum paid for the pardon of some great offense and the discharge of the offender; or a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment.
4. In Scripture, the price paid for a forfeited life, or for delivery or release from capital punishment.
Then he shall give for the ransom of his life, whatever is laid upon him. Exo 21.
5. The price paid for procuring the pardon of sins and the redemption of the sinner from punishment.
Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom. Job 33.
The Son of man came - to give his life a ransom for many. Mat 20. Mark 10.
RAN'SOM, v.t.
1. To redeem from captivity or punishment by paying an equivalent; applied to persons; as, to ransom prisoners from an enemy.
2. To redeem from the possession of an enemy by paying a price deemed equivalent; applied to goods or property.
3. In Scripture, to redeem from the bondage of sin, and from the punishment to which sinners are subjected by the divine law.
The ransomed of the Lord shall return. Isa 35.
4. To rescue; to deliver. Hosea 13.
Rather - RATH'ER, adv. [I would rather go, or sooner go. The use is taken from pushing or moving forward.] [L. ante, before.] But he said, yea rather, happy are they that hear the word of God and keep it. Luke 11]
1. More readily or willingly; with better liking; with preference or choice.
My soul chooseth strangling and death rather than life. Job 7.
Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3. Psa 84.
2. In preference; preferably; with better reason. Good is rather to be chosen than evil. See acts 5.
3. In a greater degree than otherwise.
He sought throughout the world, but sought in vain, and no where finding, rather fear'd her slain.
4. More properly; more correctly speaking.
This is an art which does mend nature, change it rather; but the art itself is nature.
5. Noting some degree of contrariety in fact.
She was nothing better, but rather grew worse. Mark 5.
Mat 27.
The rather, especially; for better reason; for particular cause.
You are come to me in a happy time, the rather for I have some sport in hand.
Had rather, is supposed to be a corruption of would rather.
I had rather speak five words with my understanding -
1 Cor 14.
This phrase may have been originally, "I'd rather," for I would rather, and the contraction afterwards mistaken for had.
Correct speakers and writers generally use would in all such phrases; I would rather, I prefer; I desire in preference.
Rattling - RAT'TLING, ppr. Making a quick succession of sharp sounds.
RAT'TLING, n. A rapid succession of sharp sounds. Nahum 3.
Raven - RAVEN, n. ra'ven. [Heb. from its color. But this may be L. corvus, rapio.]
A large fowl of a black color, of the genus Corvus.
RAVEN, v.t. rav'n.
1. To devour with great eagerness; to eat with voracity.
Our natures do pursue, like rats that raven down their proper bane, a thirsty evil, and when we drink, we die.
Like a roaring lion, ravening the prey. Ezek 22.
2. To obtain by violence.
RAVEN, v.i. rav'n. To prey with rapacity.
Benjamin shall raven as a wolf. Gen 49.
RAVEN, n. rav'n.
1. Prey; plunder; food obtained by violence. Nahum 2.
2. Rapine; rapacity.
Ravish - RAV'ISH, v.t. [L. rapio.]
1. To seize and carry away by violence.
These hairs which thou dost ravish from my chin, will quicken and accuse thee.
This hand shall ravish thy pretended right.
2. To have carnal knowledge of a woman by force and against her consent. Isa 13. Zec 14.
3. To bear away with joy or delight; to delight to ecstasy; to transport.
Thou hast ravished my heart. Prov 5.