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C2 noun /rɪˈfræk.tər/

refractor

réfracteur
Meaning
A type of telescope that uses lenses to focus light.
Example
Refractor telescopes use lenses to focus light.
Les télescopes réfracteurs utilisent des lentilles pour focaliser la lumière.
C2 noun /ˈræp.aɪn/

rapine

pillages
Meaning
the violent seizure of someone's property
Example
The war was marked by rapine and destruction.
La guerre a été marquée par des pillages et des destructions.
C2 noun /ˌræproʊʃˈmɑːn/

rapprochement

réconciliation
Meaning
The establishment or resumption of harmonious relations.
Example
The two countries signed an agreement that marked a new rapprochement.
Les deux pays ont signé un accord marquant un nouveau rapprochement.
C2 adjective /rɪˈdaʊ.tə.bəl/

redoubtable

redoutable
Meaning
formidable, especially as an opponent; inspiring fear or respect
Example
She was a redoubtable leader who commanded respect from all.
Elle était une leader redoutable qui commandait le respect de tous.
C2 noun /ˌriːkəˌpɪtjʊˈleɪʃən/

recapitulation

récapitulation
Meaning
The act of summarizing or repeating the main points of something.
Example
The professor gave a brief recapitulation of the lecture before ending the class.
Le professeur a donné une brève récapitulation du cours avant de terminer la classe.
C2 adjective /ˌrɛpərˈtɔːriəl/

repertorial

répertorial
Meaning
Relating to or characteristic of a repertoire, especially in journalism or performance contexts.
Example
The journalist's repertorial style captured every detail of the unfolding story.
Le style répertorial du journaliste a capturé chaque détail de l'histoire en cours.
C2 noun /ræpˈskæliən/

rapscallion

personne espiègle
Meaning
A mischievous or cheeky person; a rascal.
Example
The little rapscallion hid his brother’s shoes as a prank.
Le petit rapscallion a caché les chaussures de son frère pour une farce.
C2 noun /roʊˈtʌn.də.ti/

rotundity

rondeur
Meaning
the quality of being round or plump
Example
The rotundity of the balloon made it float gracefully.
La rondeur du ballon l'a fait flotter gracieusement.
C2 verb /rɪˈɡeɪl/

regale

régaler
Meaning
To entertain or amuse someone with stories, food, or drink.
Example
He regaled us with stories of his travels around the world.
Il nous a régalés avec des histoires de ses voyages autour du monde.
C2 adjective /ˈruːbɪkənd/

rubicund

visage rubicond
Meaning
Having a healthy reddish complexion.
Example
The old man’s rubicund face showed he was in good health.
Le visage rubicond de l'homme âgé montrait qu'il était en bonne santé.
C2 adjective /ˈruːmi/

rheumy

larmoyant
Meaning
Watery, especially referring to the eyes.
Example
His rheumy eyes showed signs of age and fatigue.
Ses yeux larmoyants montraient des signes de vieillesse et de fatigue.
C2 verb /ˈræpsəˌdaɪz/

rhapsodize

rhapsodier
Meaning
to speak or write with great enthusiasm and admiration
Example
He would often rhapsodize about his travels to Europe.
Il parlait souvent avec enthousiasme de ses voyages en Europe.
C2 noun /rɪˈsɪdɪvɪst/

recidivist

récidiviste
Meaning
A person who repeatedly commits crimes, especially after having been punished.
Example
The police identified him as a recidivist who had been arrested several times before.
La police l'a identifié comme un récidiviste qui avait été arrêté plusieurs fois auparavant.
C2 noun /ˌrɛtroʊˈɡrɛʃən/

retrogression

rétrogradation
Meaning
a return to a worse or less developed state
Example
The country experienced economic retrogression after the crisis.
Le pays a connu une rétrogradation économique après la crise.
C2 noun /ˈrɛkwiəm/

requiem

messe de requiem
Meaning
A mass, music, or ceremony for the repose of the souls of the dead.
Example
The choir performed a requiem in memory of the late leader.
Le chœur a interprété un requiem en mémoire du leader décédé.
C2 noun /ræŋˈɡuːn ˈkriːpər/

Rangoon creeper

Rangoon creeper
Meaning
A climbing vine with fragrant flowers that change color from white to pink to red
Example
The Rangoon creeper covered the entire fence with its sweet-smelling flowers.
Le Rangoon creeper a couvert toute la clôture avec ses fleurs parfumées.
C2 adjective /ræpˈtɔːriəl/

raptorial

rapace
Meaning
Relating to birds of prey or predatory behavior.
Example
The eagle is a raptorial bird with sharp talons.
L'aigle est un oiseau de proie avec des serres acérées.
C2 noun /ˈrɛtɪnjuː/

retinue

suite
Meaning
A group of attendants or followers accompanying an important person.
Example
The king entered the hall followed by his retinue.
Le roi est entré dans la salle suivi de sa suite.
C2 verb /rɪˈdaʊnd/

redound

contribuer
Meaning
to contribute greatly to a result or consequence, usually beneficial
Example
His hard work will redound to the success of the company.
Son travail acharné contribuera au succès de l'entreprise.
C2 adjective /rɪˈfjuː.tə.bəl/

Refutable

réfutable
Meaning
capable of being proven wrong or false; able to be disproved
Example
His theory was refutable because it could be tested experimentally.
Sa théorie était réfutable car elle pouvait être testée expérimentalement.
C2 noun /ˈræpsədi/

rhapsody

chanson exaltée/éloge
Meaning
an expression of great enthusiasm or an epic musical composition
Example
The singer’s performance was a rhapsody of emotions.
La performance du chanteur était une rhapsodie d'émotions.
C2 adjective /rɪˈkæl.sɪ.trənt/

recalcitrant

récalcitrant, têtu, désobéissant
Meaning
Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline.
Example
The recalcitrant student refused to follow rules.
L'étudiant récalcitrant a refusé de suivre les règles.
C2 noun /ˈræɡəmʌfɪn/

ragamuffin

enfant négligé
Meaning
A person, typically a child, in ragged, dirty clothes.
Example
The little ragamuffin begged for food on the street.
Le petit enfant négligé mendiait de la nourriture dans la rue.
C2 verb /rɪˈsɪnd/

rescind

résilier
Meaning
to revoke, cancel, or repeal a law, order, or agreement
Example
The company decided to rescind the job offer.
L'entreprise a décidé de résilier l'offre d'emploi.
C2 noun /rɪˈkwaɪtəl/

requital

rétribution
Meaning
The act of returning something, such as a favor, service, or punishment; repayment or retaliation.
Example
She offered her time in requital for his kindness.
Elle a offert son temps en rétribution pour sa gentillesse.
C2 noun /ˈræbəl/

Rabble

foule
Meaning
a disorderly crowd; the common people regarded as socially inferior
Example
The politician dismissed the protesters as mere rabble.
Le politicien a rejeté les manifestants comme une simple foule.
C2 noun /rɪˈmɒnstrəns/

remonstrance

protestation
Meaning
A forceful protest or objection.
Example
The workers’ remonstrance against unfair treatment was ignored.
La protestation des travailleurs contre le traitement injuste a été ignorée.
C2 noun /ˌrep.ɑːˈtiː/

Repartee

réplique
Meaning
conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies
Example
The dinner party was filled with brilliant repartee between the guests.
Le dîner était rempli de répliques brillantes entre les invités.
C2 noun /rɪˈsɪʒən/

rescission

résiliation
Meaning
the cancellation or annulment of a law, contract, or agreement
Example
The rescission of the contract left both parties disappointed.
La résiliation du contrat a laissé les deux parties déçues.
C2 noun /rɪˈsɪdɪˌvɪzəm/

recidivism

récidivisme
Meaning
The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend or relapse into criminal behavior.
Example
The government introduced new programs to reduce recidivism among former inmates.
Le gouvernement a mis en place de nouveaux programmes pour réduire le récidivisme chez les anciens détenus.
C2 noun /rɪˈkɒɡnɪzəns/

recognizance

engagement légal
Meaning
A legal obligation or bond entered into before a court, especially to ensure future appearance.
Example
He was released on his own recognizance.
Il a été libéré sous son propre engagement légal.
C2 adjective /ˈræŋ.kər.əs/

rancorous

rancunier
Meaning
Characterized by bitterness or resentment.
Example
Their rancorous debate lasted for hours.
Leurs débats rancuniers ont duré des heures.
C2 adjective /rɪˈflɛksəbl/

reflexible

réfléchissable
Meaning
Capable of being reflected or bent back.
Example
The surface was highly reflexible, bouncing light in different directions.
La surface était très réfléchissable, renvoyant la lumière dans différentes directions.
C2 noun /ˈreɪmənt/

raiment

vêtements
Meaning
clothing, especially fine or formal wear
Example
The king wore royal raiment during the ceremony.
Le roi portait des vêtements royaux pendant la cérémonie.
C2 noun /raɪm/

rime

givre
Meaning
frost formed on cold surfaces by freezing water vapor
Example
The trees were covered with a white rime after the cold night.
Les arbres étaient recouverts de givre blanc après la nuit froide.
C2 verb /ˈrævɪʃ/

ravish

envoûter
Meaning
To fill with intense delight; to captivate or enchant.
Example
The beauty of the sunset ravished the travelers.
La beauté du coucher du soleil envoûta les voyageurs.
C2 noun /ruːθ/

ruth

compassion
Meaning
A feeling of pity, compassion, or sorrow.
Example
He felt no ruth for the people he had betrayed.
Il n'a ressenti aucune compassion pour les personnes qu'il avait trahies.
C2 verb /ˈrɔɪstər/

roister

réjouir bruyamment
Meaning
to revel noisily; to engage in loud, boisterous celebration
Example
The fans roistered in the streets after the victory.
Les fans ont fait la fête dans les rues après la victoire.
C2 noun /rɪˈpoʊst/

riposte

réplique acérée
Meaning
a quick and clever reply to criticism or an insult
Example
Her sharp riposte left everyone in silence.
Sa réplique acérée laissa tout le monde sans voix.
C2 noun /ˈrɛkluːsəri/

reclusory

lieu de retraite
Meaning
A place for seclusion or retreat, especially for a recluse or hermit.
Example
The monk spent years in the reclusory away from society.
Le moine a passé des années dans le lieu de retraite loin de la société.
C2 noun/verb /ˈrɛkəmˌpɛns/

recompense

compensation
Meaning
to compensate someone for loss or harm suffered; compensation given for damage or injury
Example
The company offered financial recompense to the injured worker.
La société a offert une compensation financière au travailleur blessé.
C2 adjective /rɪˈfɛrəbəl/

referable

référable
Meaning
able to be related or directed to something
Example
The issue is referable to the new policy changes.
La question est référable aux nouveaux changements de politique.
C2 adjective /roʊˈtʌnd/

rotund

rond
Meaning
round or plump in shape; full in sound
Example
The rotund cat struggled to climb the fence.
Le chat rond avait du mal à grimper la clôture.
C2 noun /ˈrɪp.lɪt/

ripplet

petite ondulation
Meaning
a small or tiny ripple
Example
Tiny ripplets appeared on the lake as the fish moved.
De petites ondulations sont apparues sur le lac lorsque le poisson a bougé.
C2 adjective /rɪˈtɪkjʊlət/

reticulate

réticulé
Meaning
Having a net-like pattern or structure.
Example
The leaf had a reticulate pattern of veins.
La feuille avait un motif réticulé de veines.
C2 noun /ˈrɛdʒɪsaɪd/

regicide

régicide
Meaning
the act of killing a king
Example
The conspirators were executed for committing regicide.
Les conspirateurs ont été exécutés pour avoir commis un régicide.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛstɪv/

restive

agité
Meaning
unable to stay still or silent; restless and impatient
Example
The crowd grew restive as they waited for the concert to begin.
La foule est devenue agitée en attendant que le concert commence.
C2 adjective /rɪˈmɪs/

remiss

négligent
Meaning
Negligent in performing a duty or responsibility.
Example
The manager was remiss in not checking the financial reports carefully.
Le gestionnaire a été négligent en ne vérifiant pas soigneusement les rapports financiers.
C2 noun /ˈrɛvəlri/

revelry

fête
Meaning
Lively and noisy festivities, especially involving drinking and dancing.
Example
The sound of revelry could be heard throughout the night.
Le bruit de la fête se faisait entendre toute la nuit.
C2 noun /ˈriːbəs/

rebus

rébus
Meaning
a puzzle in which words are represented by pictures, symbols, or letters
Example
The children enjoyed solving the rebus puzzles in the magazine.
Les enfants ont adoré résoudre les rébus dans le magazine.
C2 noun /ˈræŋ.kər/

rancor

rancune
Meaning
A feeling of deep and bitter anger or resentment.
Example
There was a rancor between the two rivals that never faded.
Il y avait une rancune entre les deux rivaux qui ne s'est jamais estompée.
C2 noun /ˈræʃənəlɪzəm/

rationalism

rationalisme
Meaning
a belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than religious belief or emotion
Example
Rationalism emphasizes logic and reasoning over faith.
Le rationalisme met l'accent sur la logique et le raisonnement plutôt que sur la foi.
C2 adjective /ˈræfɪʃ/

raffish

non conventionnel et légèrement discrédité mais attrayant
Meaning
unconventional and slightly disreputable but attractive
Example
He had a raffish charm that made him popular in the city.
Il avait un charme raffish qui le rendait populaire dans la ville.
C2 noun /ˈrɛv.ər.i/

reverie

rêverie; rêverie éveillée
Meaning
A state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream.
Example
Lost in reverie, he didn't hear his name being called.
Perdu dans la rêverie, il n’entendit pas son nom être appelé.
C2 noun /rɪˈfrɪndʒənsi/

refringency

réfringence
Meaning
The ability of a substance to bend light; refractive power.
Example
Glass has a higher refringency than water.
Le verre a une réfringence plus élevée que l'eau.
C2 noun /rɪˌnʌnsiˈeɪʃən/

renunciation

renonciation
Meaning
the formal rejection or giving up of something, usually a belief, claim, or way of life
Example
His renunciation of worldly pleasures impressed the monks.
Sa renonciation aux plaisirs mondains a impressionné les moines.
C2 noun /ˌrækənˈtɜːr/

Raconteur

bonheur
Meaning
a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way
Example
The old man was a gifted raconteur who entertained everyone with his stories.
Elle ne pouvait pas cacher son bonheur lorsqu'elle a reçu le prix.
C2 adjective /rɪˈfrɪndʒənt/

refringent

réfringent
Meaning
Capable of refracting light or other waves.
Example
The refringent properties of the crystal bent the light into a spectrum.
Les propriétés réfringentes du cristal ont courbé la lumière en un spectre.
C2 adjective /rɪˈflɛktɪbəl/

reflectible

réfléchissable
Meaning
capable of being reflected, as light or an image
Example
The surface of the lake is highly reflectible in the morning sun.
La surface du lac est hautement réfléchissable sous le soleil du matin.
C2 noun /rɪˈpʌɡ.nəns/

repugnance

répulsion
Meaning
intense disgust or strong aversion towards something
Example
She felt deep repugnance at the cruelty of the act.
Elle ressentit une profonde répulsion envers la cruauté de l'acte.
C2 noun /ruːˈeɪ/

roue

un homme dédié à une vie de plaisirs sensuels
Meaning
A man devoted to a life of sensual pleasure; a debauched man.
Example
The old roue squandered his fortune on gambling and women.
Le vieux roue a gaspillé sa fortune dans les jeux d'argent et les femmes.
C2 adjective /ˈreə.rɪ.faɪd/

rarefied

rarefié
Meaning
Of high moral, intellectual, or cultural value; distant from ordinary life.
Example
He works in the rarefied world of classical music.
Il travaille dans le monde rarefié de la musique classique.
C2 verb /rɔɪl/

roil

agiter
Meaning
to make a liquid muddy or disturbed; to cause agitation or disorder
Example
The constant protests roiled the city streets.
Les protestations constantes ont agité les rues de la ville.
C2 adjective /ˈrævənɪŋ/

ravening

affamé et avide
Meaning
Extremely hungry and greedy; voracious.
Example
The ravening wolves circled the camp.
Les loups affamés ont encerclé le camp.
C2 adjective /rɪˈmiːdiəbl/

remediable

réparable
Meaning
capable of being corrected or cured
Example
The mistake was serious but still remediable.
L'erreur était grave mais encore réparable.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛpərəbəl/

reparable

réparable
Meaning
able to be repaired or fixed
Example
The damage to the car was serious but still reparable.
Les dommages à la voiture étaient graves mais encore réparables.
C2 verb /ˌriː.kəˈpɪtʃ.ə.leɪt/

recapitulate

récapituler
Meaning
To summarize and state again the main points of something.
Example
The teacher asked the student to recapitulate the lesson.
Le professeur a demandé à l'étudiant de récapituler la leçon.
C2 noun /ˌrɛtəˈrɪʃən/

rhetorician

rhéteur
Meaning
A person who is skilled in the art of rhetoric or persuasive speaking/writing.
Example
The rhetorician captivated the audience with his eloquence.
Le rhéteur a captivé l'auditoire avec son éloquence.
C2 adjective /rɪˈfræɡəbəl/

refragable

réfutable
Meaning
Capable of being refuted or disproved.
Example
His argument was weak and easily refragable.
Son argument était faible et facilement réfutable.
C2 adjective /rɪˈzɪstləs/

resistless

irrésistible
Meaning
Impossible to resist; having an overpowering effect.
Example
She felt a resistless urge to laugh at the joke.
Elle a ressenti une envie irrésistible de rire à la blague.
C2 adjective /ˈruːnɪk/

runic

relatif aux runes
Meaning
relating to or consisting of runes; mysterious or magical
Example
The old stone had strange runic carvings on it.
La vieille pierre avait des gravures runiques étranges.
C2 noun /ˈreɪdɪks/

radix

base
Meaning
the base or root of something; the number on which a system of numeration is built
Example
In mathematics, the decimal system has a radix of ten.
En mathématiques, le système décimal a une base de dix.
C2 noun /rɪˌdʒuːvəˈnɛsəns/

rejuvenescence

rejuvenescence
Meaning
the action or process of becoming young or fresh again
Example
The forest showed signs of rejuvenescence after the rains.
La forêt a montré des signes de rajeunissement après la pluie.
C2 adjective /roʊn/

roan

roan
Meaning
denoting an animal, especially a horse, having a coat of mixed colors, typically reddish-brown and white
Example
The rider mounted a roan horse with a speckled coat.
Le cavalier monta un cheval roan avec un pelage tacheté.
C2 noun /rɪˈdʒɔɪndər/

rejoinder

réplique
Meaning
a quick or witty reply; a response to a remark or argument
Example
His sharp rejoinder silenced the crowd.
Sa réplique acérée a fait taire la foule.
C2 noun /rɪˈpæst/

repast

repas
Meaning
A meal or the food eaten during a meal.
Example
They enjoyed a delicious repast by the riverside.
Ils ont apprécié un délicieux repas au bord de la rivière.
C2 verb /rɪˈkwaɪt/

requite

rendre
Meaning
to return or repay a favor, service, or feeling
Example
She requited his kindness with a thoughtful gift.
Elle a rendu sa gentillesse avec un cadeau réfléchi.
C2 verb /rɪˈpaɪn/

repine

se lamenter
Meaning
To feel or express discontent or to long for something.
Example
She did not repine at her misfortune but worked harder to improve her life.
Elle ne s'est pas lamentée de son malheur, mais a travaillé plus dur pour améliorer sa vie.
C2 verb /rɛtʃ/

retch

bonheur
Meaning
to make the sound and movement of vomiting without bringing anything up
Example
The smell of spoiled food made him retch violently.
Elle ne pouvait pas cacher sa joie lorsqu'elle a reçu le prix.
C2 verb /ruː/

rue

regretter
Meaning
To feel regret or sorrow about something.
Example
She will rue the day she trusted him.
Elle regrettera le jour où elle lui a fait confiance.
C2 noun /rɪˈfɛkʃən/

refection

repas / alimentation
Meaning
a meal or the act of taking food and drink
Example
The monks gathered for their evening refection.
Les moines se sont réunis pour leur repas du soir.
C2 noun /rɪˌkrɪmɪˈneɪʃən/

recrimination

contre-accusation
Meaning
an accusation made in response to an accusation; mutual blaming
Example
The debate quickly descended into mutual recriminations.
Le débat a rapidement dégénéré en contre-accusations mutuelles.
C2 noun /ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnʃən/

reprehension

réprimande
Meaning
The act of rebuking or criticizing severely.
Example
The teacher’s reprehension of the student’s behavior was justified.
La réprimande du comportement de l'élève par le professeur était justifiée.
C2 noun /roʊˈtʌn.də/

rotunda

bâtiment circulaire
Meaning
a large circular building or hall, often with a dome
Example
Tourists gathered inside the grand rotunda of the capitol.
Les touristes se sont réunis à l'intérieur de la grande rotonde du capitole.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛkənˌdaɪt/ or /ˈrɛkəndaɪt/

recondite

peu connu ou difficile à comprendre
Meaning
Little known or difficult to understand.
Example
The professor’s lecture was full of recondite theories.
La conférence du professeur était pleine de théories récondites.
C2 adjective /rɪˈdjuːsəbl̩/

reducible

réductible
Meaning
capable of being simplified, lessened, or made smaller
Example
The problem is complex but reducible to a few basic principles.
Le problème est complexe mais réductible à quelques principes de base.
C2 verb /raɪv/

rive

déchirer
Meaning
to tear apart violently
Example
The earthquake rived the ground in several places.
Le tremblement de terre a déchiré le sol en plusieurs endroits.
C2 noun /red ˌəʊ.liˈæn.dər/

Red oleander

laurier rose
Meaning
a poisonous flowering shrub with bright red or pink flowers
Example
The red oleander blooms throughout the summer months.
Le laurier rose fleurit tout au long des mois d'été.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛkriənt/

recreant

lâche, traître
Meaning
cowardly or unfaithful to duty
Example
The recreant soldier abandoned his post in fear.
Le soldat lâche abandonna son poste par peur.
C2 verb /ˌrɛprɪˈhɛnd/

reprehend

réprimander
Meaning
to express disapproval or criticism of someone or something
Example
The teacher reprehended the student for being dishonest.
L'enseignant a réprimandé l'élève pour avoir été malhonnête.
C2 adjective /rəˈʃɛrʃ/

recherche

exclusif
Meaning
Rare, exotic, or obscure, often in a sophisticated or refined way.
Example
The gallery displayed many recherche artworks from unknown artists.
La galerie a exposé de nombreuses œuvres d'art exclusives d'artistes inconnus.
C2 noun /rɪˈfrækʃən/

refraction

réfraction
Meaning
The bending of light, sound, or other waves when they pass from one medium to another of different density.
Example
The refraction of light in water makes objects appear bent.
La réfraction de la lumière dans l'eau fait apparaître les objets comme courbés.
C2 adjective /rɪˈkʌmbənt/

recumbent

couché
Meaning
lying down or in a resting position
Example
He was found recumbent on the sofa after a long day.
Il a été trouvé allongé sur le canapé après une longue journée.
C2 verb /rɪˈpruːv/

reprove

réprimander
Meaning
to criticize or correct someone gently or disapprove of their actions
Example
The teacher reproved the student for being late.
L'enseignant a réprimandé l'élève pour son retard.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛkənˌsaɪləbl̩/

reconcilable

réconciliable
Meaning
Capable of being resolved or made consistent.
Example
Their differences are reconcilable with honest communication.
Leurs différences sont réconciliables grâce à une communication honnête.
C2 adjective /rəˈpeɪ.ʃəs/

rapacious

avidité
Meaning
having an extreme desire to take things for oneself, greedy
Example
The rapacious landlord raised the rent without reason.
Le propriétaire avide a augmenté le loyer sans raison.
C2 noun /ˌriːkruːˈdɛsəns/

recrudescence

recrudescence
Meaning
a new outbreak or revival of something that had subsided, especially an undesirable condition
Example
Health officials warned of a recrudescence of measles in several districts.
Les responsables de la santé ont averti d'une recrudescence de la rougeole dans plusieurs districts.
C2 noun /ˈrɛkjʊzənt/

recusant

réfractaire
Meaning
a person who refuses to submit to authority or comply with rules
Example
The recusant opposed the new law.
Le réfractaire s'est opposé à la nouvelle loi.
C2 verb /rɪˈtrɛntʃ/

retrench

réduire les dépenses, licencier des employés
Meaning
to reduce costs, spending, or staff to save resources
Example
The company had to retrench employees due to financial difficulties.
L'entreprise a dû licencier des employés à cause de difficultés financières.
C2 verb (archaic/rare) /rɛk/

reck

se soucier
Meaning
To care about or be concerned with (something); to have regard for.
Example
He does not reck the dangers of his actions.
Il ne se soucie pas des dangers de ses actions.
C2 verb /ˈrævəl/

ravel

embrouiller / démêler
Meaning
to tangle or complicate; to untangle or unravel depending on context
Example
She began to ravel the loose threads of the sweater.
Elle a commencé à démêler les fils lâches du pull.
C2 adjective /ˈrɛɡnənt/

regnant

régnant
Meaning
Reigning; currently holding power, authority, or dominance.
Example
The regnant queen introduced several reforms during her reign.
La reine régnante a introduit plusieurs réformes durant son règne.
C2 adjective /ˈrɪz.ə.bəl/

risible

risible
Meaning
so absurd or ridiculous that it deserves to be laughed at
Example
The idea of flying pigs is completely risible.
L'idée de cochons volants est complètement risible.
C2 adjective /rɪˈfræktəri/

refractory

réfractaire
Meaning
Stubborn or resistant to control, authority, or treatment.
Example
The refractory child refused to follow the teacher's instructions.
L'enfant réfractaire a refusé de suivre les instructions du professeur.
C2 noun /ruːd/

rood

croix
Meaning
a crucifix, especially one positioned above the entrance to the chancel of a church
Example
The old church displayed a carved rood above the altar.
L'ancien église affichait une croix sculptée au-dessus de l'autel.
C2 noun /ˈrɪɡməˌroʊl/

rigmarole

perte de temps
Meaning
a long, complicated, and confusing process or story
Example
Getting a visa was such a rigmarole of paperwork and interviews.
Obtenir un visa a été une perte de temps entre papiers et entretiens.
C2 noun /ˌrɛv.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/

revocation

révocation
Meaning
The act of officially canceling or withdrawing something.
Example
The court ordered the revocation of his license.
Le tribunal a ordonné la révocation de sa licence.
C2 noun /ˈreɪləri/

raillery

moqueries amicales
Meaning
good-humored teasing or joking
Example
Their friendship was full of light-hearted raillery.
Leur amitié était pleine de railleries légères.
C2 noun /ˌrɛprəˈbeɪʃən/

reprobation

réprobation
Meaning
Strong disapproval or condemnation; rejection by God as beyond salvation.
Example
The teacher’s face showed clear reprobation at the student’s rude remark.
Le visage du professeur montrait une réprobation nette face à la remarque impolie de l'étudiant.
C2 adjective /ˌriːkruːˈdɛsənt/

recrudescent

récidivant
Meaning
reviving or breaking out again after a period of abatement
Example
Recrudescent tensions threatened the fragile ceasefire.
Les tensions récidivantes ont menacé la fragile trêve.
C2 adjective /ˈrɪbɔːld/

ribald

blagues vulgaires
Meaning
Referring to sexual matters in a humorous or vulgar way.
Example
The comedian’s ribald jokes made the audience laugh uncomfortably.
Les blagues vulgaires du comédien ont fait rire le public de manière inconfortable.
C2 verb /rɪˈvaɪl/

revile

révérer
Meaning
to criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner
Example
The politician was reviled by the public for his corruption.
Le politicien a été révéré par le public pour sa corruption.
C2 verb /rɪˈkænt/

recant

rétracter
Meaning
to withdraw or renounce a statement or belief formally
Example
He recanted his previous statement in court.
Il a rétracté sa déclaration précédente au tribunal.
C2 adjective rɪˈtɛn.tɪv

retentive

rétentif
Meaning
Having strong memory or the ability to retain information for a long time.
Example
Students with a retentive memory excel in academics.
Les étudiants ayant une mémoire rétentive excellent dans leurs études.
C2 verb /ˈræŋ.kəl/

rankle

agacer
Meaning
To cause continuing annoyance or resentment.
Example
His unfair criticism continued to rankle her for days.
Sa critique injuste a continué de la contrarier pendant des jours.
C2 noun /ˈrɛk.tɪ.tjuːd/

rectitude

rectitude
Meaning
Morally correct behavior or thinking; righteousness and integrity.
Example
His rectitude earned him respect in society.
Sa rectitude lui a valu le respect dans la société.
C2 adjective /ˈreɪ.moʊs/

ramose

ramifié
Meaning
having many branches.
Example
The ramose tree shaded the entire garden.
L'arbre ramifié ombragea tout le jardin.
C2 noun /ˈrʊkəri/

rookery

nid d'oiseaux
Meaning
a place where rooks or other birds breed and nest in colonies
Example
We saw a rookery full of noisy birds near the forest.
Nous avons vu un nid d'oiseaux plein d'oiseaux bruyants près de la forêt.
C2 noun /riːm/

ream

rame
Meaning
A large quantity of paper (typically 500 sheets); informally, a large amount of something.
Example
The office ordered ten reams of paper.
Le bureau a commandé dix rames de papier.
C2 noun /rɪˈɡætə/

regatta

régate
Meaning
A sporting event consisting of a series of boat or yacht races.
Example
The annual regatta attracted competitors from around the world.
La régate annuelle a attiré des concurrents du monde entier.
C2 verb /rɛnd/

rend

déchirer
Meaning
to tear something apart violently or forcefully
Example
The explosion rent the air with a deafening noise.
L'explosion déchira l'air avec un bruit assourdissant.