Part 119

Rec"ti*fy (-f?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rectified (-f?d); p. pr. & vb. n. Rectifying (-f?`?ng).] [F. rectifier, LL. rectificare; L. rectus right + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Right, and -fy.] 1. To make or set right; to correct from a wrong, erroneous, or false state; to amend; as, to rectify errors, mistakes, or abuses; to rectify the will, the judgment, opinions; to rectify disorders.

I meant to rectify my conscience.

Shak.

This was an error of opinion which a conflicting opinion would have rectified.

Burke.

2. (Chem.) To refine or purify by repeated distillation or sublimation, by which the fine parts of a substance are separated from the grosser; as, to rectify spirit of wine.

3. (Com.) To produce ( as factitious gin or brandy) by redistilling low wines or ardent spirits (whisky, rum, etc.), flavoring substances, etc., being added.

To rectify a globe, to adjust it in order to prepare for the solution of a proposed problem.

Syn. -- To amend; emend; correct; better; mend; reform; redress; adjust; regulate; improve. See Amend.

{ Rec`ti*lin"e*al (-l?n"?*al), Rec`ti*lin"e*ar (-l?n"?*?r), } a. [Recti- + lineal, linear.] Straight; consisting of a straight line or lines; bounded by straight lines; as, a rectineal angle; a rectilinear figure or course. -- Rec`ti*lin"e*al*ly, adv. -- Rec`ti*lin"e*ar*ly, adv.

Rec`ti*lin`e*ar"i*ty (-?r"?*t?), n. The quality or state of being rectilinear. Coleridge.

Rec`ti*lin"e*ous (-?s), a. Rectilinear. [Obs.] Ray.

Rec"ti*nerved` (r?k"t?*n?rrvd`), a. [Recti- + nerve.] (Bot.) Having the veins or nerves straight; -- said of leaves.

Rec"tion (r?k"sh?n), n. [L. rectio, fr. regere to rule or govern.] (Gram.) See Government, n., 7. Gibbs.

Rec`ti*ros"tral (r?k`t?*r?s"tral), a. [Recti- + rostral.] (Zoöl.) Having a straight beak.

Rec`ti*se"ri*al (-s?"r?*al), a. [Recti- + serial.] (Bot.) Arranged in exactly vertical ranks, as the leaves on stems of many kinds; -- opposed to curviserial.

||Rec*ti"tis (r?k*t?"t?s), n. [NL. See Rectum, and -itis.] (Med.) ||Proctitis. Dunglison.

Rec"ti*tude (r?k"t?*t?d), n. [L. rectitudo, fr. rectus right, straight: cf. F. rectitude. See Right.] 1. Straightness. [R.] Johnson.

2. Rightness of principle or practice; exact conformity to truth, or to the rules prescribed for moral conduct, either by divine or human laws; uprightness of mind; uprightness; integrity; honesty; justice.

3. Right judgment. [R.] Sir G. C. Lewis.

Syn. -- See Justice.

Rec"to- (r?k"t?*). A combining form indicating connection with, or relation to, the rectum; as, recto-vesical.

Rec"to, n. [Abbrev. fr. LL. breve de recto. See Right.] (Law) A writ of right.

Rec"to, n. [Cf. F. recto.] (Print.) The right-hand page; -- opposed to verso.

Rec"tor (r?k"t?r), n. [L., fr. regere, rectum, to lead straight, to rule: cf. F. recteur. See Regiment, Right.]

1. A ruler or governor. [R.]

God is the supreme rector of the world.

Sir M. Hale.