re·cur·rence /rɪˈkʌrənsəl-ˈkɜːr-/ n [C;U] (an example of) recurring: the frequent recurrence/several recurrences of the disease/of a technical fault
re·cur·rent /rɪˈkʌrənt/ˈkɜːr-/ adj happening again and again; repeated: a recurrent problem | recurrent pains in the head ︷ly adv
re·cu·sant /'rekjəzənt/ n, adj old use fml (someone) refusing to obey official rules or especially to accept official religious beliefs: recusant priests
re·cy·cla·ble /,ri:ˈsaɪkləbəl/ n, adj (being) a thing that can be recycled: recyclable plastic bags | Separate the recyclables in those boxes over there.
re·cy·cle /,riː'sækəl/ v [T] to treat (a substance that has already been used) so that it is fit to use again. People who care about the environment like to recycle things they have finished with to help preserve the earth's natural RESOURCES: The glass from bottles can be recycled. | a bag made of recycled paper
re·cy·cling /,ri:ˈsaɪklɪŋ/ n, adj [U] (of) the activity of reusing things that have already been used: The children are very enthusiastic about recycling. | Is there a recycling centre (=place to take recyclables) around here?
re'cycling plant n a workplace where materials such as glass or paper which have been used once are prepared for re-use
red¹ /red/ adj -dd- 1 of the colour of blood or fire: a red rose/dress | We painted the door red. 2 (of human hair) of a bright brownish orange or copper colour 3 (of the human skin) pink, usually for a short time: red with embarrassment/anger | The child's eyes (=the skin round the eyes) were red from crying. 4 (of wine) of a dark pink to dark purple colour 5 be like a red rag (BrE) || a red flag (AmE) to a bull infml to be likely to cause uncontrollable anger: She's an ardent feminist, so jokes about women are like a red rag to a bull to her. ︷ness n [U]
red² n 1 [C;U] (a) red colour: the reds and yellows of the evening sky | You mix red and yellow to make orange. | The colour red is often used as a sign of danger, and in signs on roads meaning ‘stop’. → see Feature on page A6 2 [U] red clothes: dressed in red 3 in/into/out of the red in/into/out of debt: Your account is in the red. → opposite in the black (BLACK²); see also paint the town red (PAINT), see red (SEE)
Red adj 1 derogatory (especially in newspapers) supporting LEFT-WING political ideas; Socialist or Communist: 'Red Ken wins seat in Parliament.' (=newspaper report) → compare PINK¹ 2 [no comp.] of Communist countries; especially formerly the communist countries of Eastern Europe 3 better Red than dead a phrase used during the Cold War by some people opposed to NUCLEAR weapons, meaning that it would be better to be controlled by a Communist government than to be killed in a nuclear war
,red 'admiral n a BUTTERFLY with bright red marks on its black wings, common in Europe and America
,red a'lert n [C;U] (a condition of readiness to deal with) a situation of sudden great danger: The hospital services were put on red alert. → see Feature on page A6
Red 'Army, the the army of the former Soviet Union. This was its official name from 1918 until 1946, but people still used the name Red Army after that.
,Red 'Army ,Faction, the → see BAADER-MEINHOF GANG
Red 'Arrows, the n [P] a team of specially trained pilots in the British air force, who fly small FIGHTER planes and do AEROBATICS (=special tricks and movements in the air) to entertain people
,Red 'Baron, the the NICKNAME of Baron von RICHTOFEN
Red 'Berets, the //, // n [P] a popular name for the PARACHUTE division of the British army. They are called this because of the red BERETS (=soft hats) that are part of their uniform.
,red 'blood cell also ,red 'corpuscle n any of the cells in the blood which carry oxygen to every part of the body → compare WHITE BLOOD CELL
,red-blooded adj apprec (of a person or their behaviour) confident and strong; VIRILE: a few red-blooded curses | red-blooded males
red-breast /'redbrest/ n lit for ROBIN
red·brick /'red,brik/ n (often cap.) any of the British universities started in the late 19th century in cities outside London: Manchester and Leeds are redbricks/are redbrick universities. → compare OXBRIDGE
'Red Bri,gades, the n [P] a group of Italian TERRORISTS with extreme LEFT-WING ideas, which was active during the 1970s, and was responsible for the death of Aldo Moro, a former Prime Minister of Italy
Red 'Bull' trademark a cold FIZZY drink that contains CAFFEINE and other substances that can have an effect on people. It is popular with people who go CLUBBING because it can help them avoid feeling tired, and is often drunk with VODKA.
'red 'card n a piece of red card held up by the REFEREE of a football match to show that a player is to be sent off the field for carrying out a FOUL: The referee has given/shown him the red card. \ It's a red card for their top goalscorer.
,red 'carpet n [the] a special ceremonial welcome to an important guest, sometimes involving laying a red carpet on the ground for the guest to walk on: We'll roll out the red carpet when the President comes. | We'll give him the red-carpet treatment.
,red 'cent n AmE infml (not) a/one red cent used to emphasise that you mean not any money at all: I wouldn't give you a red cent for that old clunker. | not worth a red cent
,Red 'China old-fashion a name for the People's Republic of CHINA, used especially by western politicians when talking about its Communist government
red-coat /'redkəut/ n 1 a worker at a HOLIDAY CAMP who helps entertain holidaymakers 2 a British soldier during the 18th and 19th centuries
Red 'Crescent, the an organization in many Muslim countries whose aim is to give help, protection, and medical treatment to people suffering as a result of wars and other DISASTERS. Its sign, a red CRESCENT on white, is recognized internationally, and protects the people using it from being attacked or harmed. → compare RED CROSS
Red 'Cross, the an international organization whose main aim is to give help, protection, and medical treatment to people suffering as a result of wars and other DISASTERS. Its sign, a red cross on white, is recognized internationally, and protects the people using it from being attacked or harmed. With the RED CRESCENT, its official name is 'the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement'.
red·cur·rant /,red'kʌrənt·\|-kʌr-/ m a small red berry that grows in bunches on a bush: redcurrant wine
,red 'deer n pl. red deer a large deer common in northern Europe and Asia, with a reddish brown coat
red·den /'redn/ v [t] to (cause to) turn red: She reddened with embarrassment. | The sunset reddened the clouds.
Red 'Devils, the n [P] a special British army team who give public performances of SKYDIVING (=jumping from an aircraft and making patterns in the air before the PARACHUTES open)
Red·ding, O·tis /'redɪŋ, 'əʊtə/ (1941–67) a US SOUL singer and songwriter, who died in a plane crash. His songs include My Girl and (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay.
red·dish /'redɪʃ/ adj slightly red
re-deco-rate /riː'dekəreɪt/ v [ɑːT] to put new paint, paper etc, on (the inside of a building): We must redecorate the bathroom.
re-deem /rɪˈdiːm/ v [T] fml 1 to carry out; fulfil: Has the government redeemed all its election promises? 2 to make free of blame or bring back into favour: She redeemed herself/her reputation with a powerful speech to the party convention. 3 to make (something bad) slightly less bad: Olivier's performance redeems an otherwise second-rate production. He's a thoroughly unpleasant man; his one redeeming feature is his honesty. 4 [(from)] to buy back (something one has given in return for being lent money): I redeemed my watch from the pawnshop. 5 fml to buy or gain (someone's) free dom: Christ came to Earth to redeem us from sin. 6 to exchange for goods or other things of value: Redeem this coupon for 10p off your next purchase. —able adj
Re·deem·er, the /rɪˈdiːmər/ a name for Jesus Christ, who is believed by Christians to be able to REDEEM them (=free them from the power of evil)