frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

hypnotized, engrossed, enthralled, bewitched, absorbed,
transported, captivated, delighted: She gave her last
performance of 'Giselle' before a rapt audience. 2 enraptured,
rapturous, delighted, elated, happy, ecstatic, blissful,
overjoyed, joyous, joyful, beatific: You should have seen the
rapt expression on the child's face when Santa Claus appeared.
rapture n. ecstasy, delight, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, pleasure,
exaltation, elation, thrill, enchantment, euphoria, beatitude,
transport, enchantment: Nothing could compare with the rapture
he felt at seeing his daughter win the Nobel prize.
rapturous adj. ecstatic, delighted, joyful, joyous, elated, thrilled,
enchanted, euphoric, in seventh heaven, overjoyed, rhapsodic,
Colloq on cloud nine, Brit over the moon: He was rapturous over
qualifying for the Olympics.
rare° adj. 1 uncommon, unfamiliar, unusual, exceptional, out of the
ordinary, extraordinary, atypical; scarce, unparalleled, choice,
recherch‚, phenomenal, infrequent, few and far between, sparse,
scanty, limited, seldom encountered or met with or seen; unique,
singular, one of a kind; Chiefly Brit thin on the ground: It
was rare to see Liz in such good humour. Specimens in such
perfect condition are rare. A copy of the first edition in this
condition is rare. 2 fine, good, admirable, excellent, choice,
select, special, first-rate, first-class, exquisite, superior,
superlative, peerless, unequalled, matchless, incomparable, in a
class by itself or herself or himself or themselves, sui
generis, outstanding; collectible or collectable: O, rare Ben
Jonson! On exhibit was a black pearl of rare beauty and
remarkable size. Consideration for others seems a rare quality
these days.
rareý adj. underdone, undercooked, bleu(e), saignant(e): Do you want
your steak rare, medium, or well-done?
rarefied adj. 1 thin, lean, attenuated, diluted, sparse, scant, scanty:
As we climbed higher, the rarefied atmosphere made breathing
more difficult. 2 exalted, lofty, elevated, high, sublime,
noble, high: I feel out of place in the rarefied atmosphere of
academia. 3 cliquish, clannish, exclusive, private, select,
esoteric: Clarence copes well in the rarefied atmosphere of
Whitehall's corridors of power.