raison d'être Fr :reason for being or existence
rapacious a :plunderer, seizing by violence, grasping
rapine n :violent seizing of property; plunder
recalcitrant a :resisting authority; not obedient/compliant
recreant a :treacherous; cowardly; unfaithful; false; deserter
rectitude n :uprightness; integrity; honesty, correctness
recuse v.t. :reject, challenge as disqualified a/c* conflict of interest
redact v.t.:to put into writing; select/adapt for publication
redolent a :sweet scent/ odorous; reminiscent
reductive a :relating to/causing/involving reduction
redux a :returning; lead/brought back
renaissance n :revival of things "extinct"
reprise n :take back; renewal; repetition
rescind/rescission v.t. :repeal/revoke/annul
reticent a :to be silent, not inclined to speak; reserved
retinue n :attendants of distinguished personage
reversion n :return to original form, reversal
revisionist n :advocate of revision of political/religion
rien a faire Fr: it's hopeless, no use insisting
riposte n:fencer's return thrust; verbal sally; retaliatory maneuver
risible a :capable/disposed to laugh; laughable
rive; riven v :wrench open; tear apart
roil v.t. :to render turbid; disturb/disquiet; irritate/vex
rubric n :title/heading/direction printed in red
ruminate v.i. :think again/ponder/muse/meditate
runic n :mystery, magic
rusticate v :go/reside in the country; rustic life
*a/c - on account of