Raptores (raptorez)

pl. [NL., pl. of L. raptor, robber, plunderer: see raptor.] An order of Aves, the Accipitres of Linnæus, the Rapt a to res, Rapaces, or Aëto morphæ of some authors; the raptorial or rapacious birds; the birds of prey. They have an epignathous cered beak, and talons generally fitted for grasping live prey. The bill is hooked and often also toothed. The toes are four, three in front and one behind, with large crooked claws; raptorial (rap-to'ri-al), a. and n. [ under Mantis. II. n. A bird of prey; a member of the Rap IMG:content-1645.png:[blocks in formation] 3. A state of mental transport or exaltation; ecstasy. (a) Ecstatic pleasure; rapt delight or enjoy. ment; extreme joy over or gladne on account of something. I have never heard Praise of love or wine That panted forth a flood of rapture so divine. Shelley, To a Skylark. To exercise a devilish ingenuity in inventions of mutual torture became not only a duty but a rapture . Motley, Dutch Republic, II. 426. (6) Ecstatic elevation of thought or feeling; lofty or soaring enthusiasm; exalted or absorbing earnestne . This man, beyond a Stoick apathy, sees truth as in a rap- ture , and cleaves to it. Milton , Apology for Smectymnuus You grow correct that once with rapture writ. Pope , Epil. to the Satires, i. 3. There is a rapture on the lonely shore By the deep sea, and music in its roar. ... Byron, Childe Harold, iv. 178. 4. A manifestation of mental transport; an ecstatic utterance or action; an expre ion of exalted or pa ionate feeling of any kind; rhapsody. Her [Cas sandra's] brain-sick raptures Cannot distaste the goodne of a quarrel Which hath our several honours all engaged To make it gracious. Shak., T. and C., ii. 2. 122. rare Are not groans and tears Harmonious raptures in th' Almighty's ears? Quarles, Emblems, iv. 15. 5t. An ecstasy of pa ionate excitement; a paroxysm or fit from exce ive emotion. [Rare.] Your prattling nurse Into a rapture lets her baby cry. Shak., Cor., ii. 1. 223. =Syn. 3. Transport, bli , exaltation. raptured (rap'tūrd), a. [ Raptur'd I stood, and as this hour amaz'd, With rev'rence at the lofty wonder gaz'd. Pope, Ody ey, vi. 199. The latent Damon drew Such maddening draughts of beauty to his soul, As for a while o'erwhelm'd his raptured thought With luxury too-daring. Thomson , Summer, 1. 1333. That favored strain was Surrey's raptured line. Scott, L. of L. M., vi. 19. rapturist (rap'tūr-ist), n. [ rapture + -ist.] One who habitually manifests rapture; an enthusiast. [Rare.] Such swarms of prophets and rapturists have flown out of those hives in some ages. J. Spencer, Vanity of Vulgar Prophecies (1665), p. 43. rapturous (rap'tūr-us), a . [ rapture + -ous.] Of the character of rapture; marked by rapture; exciting or manifesting rapture; ecstatically joyous or exalted: as, rapturous exultation; a rapturous look; a rapturous scene. His welcome, before enthusiastic, was now rapturous. Everett, Orations, I. 480. rapturously (rap'tur-us-li), adv. In a rapturous manner; with rapture; ecstatically. rapt us melancholic us (rap'tus mel-an-kol'ikus). [NL.: L. rapt us, a seizure; melancholic us, melancholic: see rapt2, n., and melancholic.] A motor crisis or outbreak of uncontrollable violence developed in a melancholic person from the intensity of his mental anguish.