ra

Everyday

1. (myths) Ra (also Re) was the sun god of ancient Egypt, often shown with a falcon's head and the sun disc on top. tree →
2. (science) Ra is the chemical symbol for radium, a radioactive element. tree →
3. (abbreviation) RA can stand for the Royal Academy of Arts in London, a resident assistant in US college dorms, or rheumatoid arthritis, a joint illness. tree →
4. "Rah" or "ra" is a cheering shout, as in "rah-rah". tree →
5. A word that copies the sound of a horn or trumpet. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons on ancient Egypt, Ra was the most important god; Egyptians believed he sailed across the sky in a boat each day and through the underworld each night. Pharaohs were called "son of Ra". In chemistry tables Ra is radium. On its own, "ra" is not an everyday English word.

Examples

• The ancient Egyptians worshipped Ra, the sun god. tree →
• Ra was painted with the head of a falcon and a sun above it. tree →
• Egyptians believed Ra crossed the sky in a golden boat. tree →
• Ra is the symbol for radium in the periodic table. tree →
• We visited an exhibition at the RA in London. tree →
• The cheerleaders shouted, "Rah, rah, go team!" tree →
• Pharaohs called themselves sons of Ra. tree →
• "Tan-ta-ra-ra, tan-ta-ra-ra," sounded the horn, and the mail-coach came lumbering up. tree →

Note

Capital R for the god and the symbol (Ra), capitals for abbreviations (RA). Ra rhymes with "car". Egyptians believed in Ra; it is a myth, not a fact about the Sun. Not an ordinary English word on its own.

In Jewish tradition

In history lessons on ancient Egypt, Ra was the most important god; Egyptians believed he sailed across the sky in a boat each day and through the underworld each night. Pharaohs were called "son of Ra". In chemistry tables Ra is radium. On its own, "ra" is not an everyday English word.

Note

Capital R for the god and the symbol (Ra), capitals for abbreviations (RA). Ra rhymes with "car". Egyptians believed in Ra; it is a myth, not a fact about the Sun. Not an ordinary English word on its own.