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Glossary R

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Rack (hunting)
The antlers attached to the skull of a cervid.

Rain Gauge
An instrument used to measure rainfall amounts.

Rainbow
Optical phenomena when light is refracted and reflected by moisture in the air into concentric arcs of color. Raindrops act like prisms, breaking the light into the colors of a rainbow, with red on the outer, and blue on the inner edge.

Ramrod (hunting)
A wood, fiberglass, or composite rod used to push a bullet down the bore of a muzzleloading rifle until it is seated.

Rapids
A part of a river, generally shallow, where the currents move swiftly over rocks.

Ratline (boating)
Ropes stretched between adjacent shrouds to act as steps for the crew to climb.

Reef
A ridge of rock or sand at or near the surface of the water.

Recurve Bow
A bow designed so that when strung, the bow curves back against its natural bend, giving it great power when arrow is released.

Reptile
An animal that is cold-blooded, and has scaly skin, and creeps or crawls on the ground.

Reservoir
A lake where water is collected and stored for future use.

Ridge-Pole
The horizontal timber or member at the top of a roof, to which the upper ends of the rafters are fastened.

Rill
A very small channel of water, caused mainly by runoff water that eroded the soil.

Riparian
Located by the banks of a riverstream, or other body of water.

Rip Tide
On the beach, this is the water that flows back offshore, after the waves have piled so much water next to the sand.

River
A large, flowing body of water that usually empties into a sea or ocean. (more about rivers)

Riverbank
The back or banks of a river.

Riverbed
The area / channel between the banks through which a river flows.

Riverine
Relating to, similar to, or formed by a river.

Rivulet
A small stream or brook.

Roe
Fish eggs.

Runoff
Water that drains or flows from the land into a river or other body of water.

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