diff --git a/applications/test/fileName/Test-fileName.C b/applications/test/fileName/Test-fileName.C
index 18f89b6db0..5de8912bd8 100644
--- a/applications/test/fileName/Test-fileName.C
+++ b/applications/test/fileName/Test-fileName.C
@@ -180,9 +180,9 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
         // A regex with a zero length matcher doesn't work at all:
         // eg "(png|jpg|txt|)" regex matcher itself
 
-        wordRe matcher0("()", wordRe::REGEXP);
-        wordRe matcher1("(png|jpg|txt)", wordRe::REGEXP);
-        wordRe matcher2("(png|txt)", wordRe::REGEXP);
+        wordRe matcher0("()", wordRe::REGEX);
+        wordRe matcher1("(png|jpg|txt)", wordRe::REGEX);
+        wordRe matcher2("(png|txt)", wordRe::REGEX);
 
         Info<<"Has extension(s):" << nl
             << "input: " << endWithDot << nl;
diff --git a/applications/test/wordRe/Test-wordRe.C b/applications/test/wordRe/Test-wordRe.C
index f5dfcda831..f3ab4a3719 100644
--- a/applications/test/wordRe/Test-wordRe.C
+++ b/applications/test/wordRe/Test-wordRe.C
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
     \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
-     \\/     M anipulation  |
+     \\/     M anipulation  | Copyright (C) 2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -30,7 +30,9 @@ Description
 #include "IFstream.H"
 #include "List.H"
 #include "Tuple2.H"
+#include "keyType.H"
 #include "wordRe.H"
+#include "wordRes.H"
 
 using namespace Foam;
 
@@ -44,12 +46,36 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     Foam::string s2("this .* file");
     const char * s3 = "this .* file";
 
+    keyType keyre("x.*", true);
+
+    wordReList wordrelist
+    {
+        {"this", wordRe::LITERAL},
+        {"x.*", wordRe::REGEX},
+        {"file[a-b]", wordRe::REGEX},
+    };
+
+    wordRes wrelist(wordrelist);
+
+    Info<< "re-list:" << wrelist() << endl;
+    Info<< "match this: " << wrelist("this") << endl;
+    Info<< "match xyz: "  << wrelist("xyz") << endl;
+    Info<< "match zyx: "  << wrelist("zyx") << endl;
+    Info<< "match xyz: "  << wrelist.match("xyz") << endl;
+    Info<< "keyre match: "  << keyre("xyz") << endl;
+    Info<< "string match: "  << string("this").match("xyz") << endl;
+    Info<< "string match: "  << string("x.*")("xyz") << endl;
+    Info<< "string match: "  << string("x.*")(keyre) << endl;
+
     wordRe(s1, wordRe::DETECT).info(Info) << endl;
     wordRe(s2).info(Info) << endl;
     wordRe(s2, wordRe::DETECT).info(Info) << endl;
-    wordRe(s3, wordRe::REGEXP).info(Info) << endl;
+    wordRe(s3, wordRe::REGEX).info(Info) << endl;
 
     wre = "this .* file";
+
+    Info<<"substring: " << wre(4) << endl;
+
     wre.info(Info) << endl;
     wre = s1;
     wre.info(Info) << endl;
diff --git a/applications/utilities/miscellaneous/foamHelp/helpTypes/doxygenXmlParser/doxygenXmlParser.C b/applications/utilities/miscellaneous/foamHelp/helpTypes/doxygenXmlParser/doxygenXmlParser.C
index 0de175b4b7..bc67aabd7f 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/miscellaneous/foamHelp/helpTypes/doxygenXmlParser/doxygenXmlParser.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/miscellaneous/foamHelp/helpTypes/doxygenXmlParser/doxygenXmlParser.C
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ License
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 #include "doxygenXmlParser.H"
-#include "wordRe.H"
+#include "regExp.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ Foam::doxygenXmlParser::doxygenXmlParser
     dictionary(dictionary::null)
 {
     // Pre-construct and compile regular expressions
-    const wordRe nameRe(".*.H", wordRe::DETECT);
-    const wordRe searchStrRe(searchStr, wordRe::DETECT);
+    const regExp nameRe(".*.H");
+    const regExp searchStrRe(searchStr);
 
     // Pre-construct constant strings and names to speed-up comparisons
     const string slashStartTag('/' + startTag);
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ Foam::doxygenXmlParser::doxygenXmlParser
                     (
                         !exactMatch
                      && !found(tName) // not already added
-                     && wordRe(".*" + tName + ".*", wordRe::DETECT).match(name)
+                     && regExp(".*" + tName + ".*").match(name)
                     )
                     {
                         dictionary dict(dictionary::null);
diff --git a/applications/utilities/postProcessing/dataConversion/foamToVTK/foamToVTK.C b/applications/utilities/postProcessing/dataConversion/foamToVTK/foamToVTK.C
index c2a6f3b298..602f68b2d0 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/postProcessing/dataConversion/foamToVTK/foamToVTK.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/postProcessing/dataConversion/foamToVTK/foamToVTK.C
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ void print(Ostream& os, const wordList& flds)
 labelList getSelectedPatches
 (
     const polyBoundaryMesh& patches,
-    const List<wordRe>& excludePatches
+    const wordRes& excludePatches
 )
 {
     DynamicList<label> patchIDs(patches.size());
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ labelList getSelectedPatches
             Info<< "    discarding empty/processor patch " << patchi
                 << " " << pp.name() << endl;
         }
-        else if (findStrings(excludePatches, pp.name()))
+        else if (excludePatches.match(pp.name()))
         {
             Info<< "    excluding patch " << patchi
                 << " " << pp.name() << endl;
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
     const bool allPatches = args.optionFound("allPatches");
 
-    List<wordRe> excludePatches;
+    wordReList excludePatches;
     if (args.optionFound("excludePatches"))
     {
         args.optionLookup("excludePatches")() >> excludePatches;
diff --git a/applications/utilities/preProcessing/createZeroDirectory/boundaryInfo.C b/applications/utilities/preProcessing/createZeroDirectory/boundaryInfo.C
index 62ca3f5514..a44a906664 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/preProcessing/createZeroDirectory/boundaryInfo.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/preProcessing/createZeroDirectory/boundaryInfo.C
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ void Foam::boundaryInfo::setType(const label patchI, const word& condition)
         return;
     }
 
-    if (wordRe(".*[Mm]apped.*", wordRe::REGEXP).match(types_[patchI]))
+    if (regExp(".*[Mm]apped.*").match(types_[patchI]))
     {
         // ugly hack to avoid overriding mapped types
         return;
diff --git a/src/OSspecific/POSIX/regExp.C b/src/OSspecific/POSIX/regExp.C
index a22ba01a56..95e70ece9d 100644
--- a/src/OSspecific/POSIX/regExp.C
+++ b/src/OSspecific/POSIX/regExp.C
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ Foam::regExp::~regExp()
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-void Foam::regExp::set(const char* pattern, bool ignoreCase)
+bool Foam::regExp::set(const char* pattern, bool ignoreCase)
 {
     clear();
 
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ void Foam::regExp::set(const char* pattern, bool ignoreCase)
             // avoid zero-length patterns
             if (!*pat)
             {
-                return;
+                return false;
             }
         }
 
@@ -154,11 +154,15 @@ void Foam::regExp::set(const char* pattern, bool ignoreCase)
                 << nl << errbuf
                 << exit(FatalError);
         }
+
+        return true;
     }
+
+    return false;  // Was cleared and nothing was set
 }
 
 
-void Foam::regExp::set(const std::string& pattern, bool ignoreCase)
+bool Foam::regExp::set(const std::string& pattern, bool ignoreCase)
 {
     return set(pattern.c_str(), ignoreCase);
 }
@@ -208,7 +212,7 @@ bool Foam::regExp::match(const std::string& text) const
         if
         (
             regexec(preg_, text.c_str(), nmatch, pmatch, 0) == 0
-         && (pmatch[0].rm_so == 0 && pmatch[0].rm_eo == label(text.size()))
+         && (pmatch[0].rm_so == 0 && pmatch[0].rm_eo == regoff_t(text.size()))
         )
         {
             return true;
diff --git a/src/OSspecific/POSIX/regExp.H b/src/OSspecific/POSIX/regExp.H
index 76d2deba93..640f6a819e 100644
--- a/src/OSspecific/POSIX/regExp.H
+++ b/src/OSspecific/POSIX/regExp.H
@@ -128,20 +128,23 @@ public:
 
       // Editing
 
-        //- Compile pattern into a regular expression, optionally ignore case
-        void set(const char* pattern, bool ignoreCase=false);
+        //- Compile pattern into a regular expression, optionally ignore case.
+        //  \return True if the pattern was compiled
+        bool set(const char* pattern, bool ignoreCase=false);
 
         //- Compile pattern into a regular expression, optionally ignore case
-        void set(const std::string& pattern, bool ignoreCase=false);
+        //  \return True if the pattern was compiled
+        bool set(const std::string& pattern, bool ignoreCase=false);
 
-        //- Clear expression, return true if expression had existed.
+        //- Clear expression.
+        //  \return True if expression had existed prior to the clear.
         bool clear();
 
 
       // Matching/Searching
 
         //- Find position within string.
-        //  Returns the index where it begins or string::npos if not found
+        //  \Return The index where it begins or string::npos if not found
         std::string::size_type find(const std::string& text) const;
 
         //- Return true if it matches the entire string
@@ -158,6 +161,9 @@ public:
 
     // Member Operators
 
+        //- Perform match on text
+        inline bool operator()(const std::string& text) const;
+
         //- Assign and compile pattern from a character array
         //  Always case sensitive
         inline void operator=(const char* pattern);
diff --git a/src/OSspecific/POSIX/regExpI.H b/src/OSspecific/POSIX/regExpI.H
index 64865c95fa..e33564e611 100644
--- a/src/OSspecific/POSIX/regExpI.H
+++ b/src/OSspecific/POSIX/regExpI.H
@@ -66,6 +66,12 @@ inline bool Foam::regExp::search(const std::string& text) const
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+inline bool Foam::regExp::operator()(const std::string& text) const
+{
+    return match(text);
+}
+
+
 inline void Foam::regExp::operator=(const char* pattern)
 {
     set(pattern);
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/Make/files b/src/OpenFOAM/Make/files
index 5636f7c937..bc08c99154 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/Make/files
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/Make/files
@@ -97,8 +97,8 @@ $(strings)/fileName/fileName.C
 $(strings)/fileName/fileNameIO.C
 $(strings)/keyType/keyType.C
 $(strings)/wordRe/wordRe.C
+$(strings)/wordRes/wordRes.C
 $(strings)/lists/hashedWordList.C
-$(strings)/lists/wordReListMatcher.C
 $(strings)/stringOps/stringOps.C
 
 ops = primitives/ops
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjectList/IOobjectList.C b/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjectList/IOobjectList.C
index 1f96009a52..14c68e7b76 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjectList/IOobjectList.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/IOobjectList/IOobjectList.C
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ Foam::IOobjectList Foam::IOobjectList::lookup(const wordRe& matcher) const
 
 Foam::IOobjectList Foam::IOobjectList::lookup(const wordReList& matcher) const
 {
-    wordReListMatcher mat(matcher);
+    wordRes mat(matcher);
 
     IOobjectList results(size());
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/keyType/keyType.C b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/keyType/keyType.C
index 5b27421414..05f54c2554 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/keyType/keyType.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/keyType/keyType.C
@@ -52,13 +52,11 @@ bool Foam::keyType::match(const std::string& text, bool literal) const
 {
     if (literal || !isPattern_)
     {
-        // check as string
-        return (text == *this);
+        return !compare(text);  // Compare as literal string
     }
     else
     {
-        // check as regex
-        return regExp(*this).match(text);
+        return regExp(*this).match(text);  // Match as regex
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/keyType/keyType.H b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/keyType/keyType.H
index 3f342e0e22..82713fd9ff 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/keyType/keyType.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/keyType/keyType.H
@@ -121,19 +121,26 @@ public:
 
     // Member operators
 
-        // Assignment
+        //- Avoid masking the normal operator()
+        using word::operator();
 
-            //- Assignment operator, retaining type (literal or regex)
-            inline void operator=(const keyType& s);
+        //- Perform smart match on text
+        inline bool operator()(const std::string& text) const;
 
-            //- Assign as word, not treated as a regular expression.
-            inline void operator=(const word& s);
 
-            //- Assign as regular expression
-            inline void operator=(const string& s);
+      // Assignment
 
-            //- Assign as word, not treated as a regular expression.
-            inline void operator=(const char* s);
+        //- Assignment operator, retaining type (literal or regex)
+        inline void operator=(const keyType& s);
+
+        //- Assign as word, not treated as a regular expression.
+        inline void operator=(const word& s);
+
+        //- Assign as regular expression
+        inline void operator=(const string& s);
+
+        //- Assign as word, not treated as a regular expression.
+        inline void operator=(const char* s);
 
 
     // IOstream operators
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/keyType/keyTypeI.H b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/keyType/keyTypeI.H
index 99b73ac109..964f48cbb0 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/keyType/keyTypeI.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/keyType/keyTypeI.H
@@ -81,6 +81,12 @@ inline bool Foam::keyType::isPattern() const
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+inline bool Foam::keyType::operator()(const std::string& text) const
+{
+    return match(text);  // Use smart match
+}
+
+
 inline void Foam::keyType::operator=(const keyType& s)
 {
     string::operator=(s); // Bypass checking
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/hashedWordList.H b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/hashedWordList.H
index 9ecab0f382..a2e68df9df 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/hashedWordList.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/hashedWordList.H
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ namespace Foam
 class hashedWordList;
 
 // Forward declaration of friend functions and operators
-Istream& operator>>(Istream&, hashedWordList&);
-Ostream& operator<<(Ostream&, const hashedWordList&);
+Istream& operator>>(Istream& is, hashedWordList& lst);
+Ostream& operator<<(Ostream& os, const hashedWordList& lst);
 
 
 /*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ public:
         );
 
         //- Construct from an initializer list
-        inline hashedWordList(std::initializer_list<word>);
+        inline hashedWordList(std::initializer_list<word> lst);
 
         //- Construct from the word keys of any HashTable, sorting immediately.
         //  This also handles a wordHashSet, which is derived from a HashTable.
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ public:
         template<class AnyType, class AnyHash>
         explicit inline hashedWordList
         (
-            const HashTable<AnyType, word, AnyHash>& h
+            const HashTable<AnyType, word, AnyHash>& tbl
         );
 
         //- Construct from number and list of words,
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ public:
         hashedWordList(const char** lst, const bool removeDuplicates=false);
 
         //- Construct from Istream
-        hashedWordList(Istream&);
+        hashedWordList(Istream& is);
 
 
     // Member Functions
@@ -161,26 +161,33 @@ public:
 
     // Member Operators
 
-        //- Assignment operator from list of words
-        inline void operator=(const UList<word>& lst);
-
-        //- Assignment operator from initializer list
-        inline void operator=(std::initializer_list<word> lst);
-
-        //- Assignment operator.
-        inline void operator=(const hashedWordList& lst);
-
         //- Return name corresponding to specified index
         inline const word& operator[](const label index) const;
 
-        //- Return index corresponding to specified name
+        //- Return index corresponding to specified name, or -1 on failure
         inline label operator[](const word& name) const;
 
+        //- Does the list contain the specified name - same as found.
+        //  Makes hashedWordList suitable as a unary predicate.
+        inline bool operator()(const word& name) const;
+
+
+      // Assignment
+
+        //- Assignment operator from list of words. Rehashes the indices.
+        inline void operator=(const UList<word>& lst);
+
+        //- Assignment operator from initializer list. Rehashes the indices.
+        inline void operator=(std::initializer_list<word> lst);
+
+        //- Assignment operator. Rehashes the indices.
+        inline void operator=(const hashedWordList& lst);
+
 
     // Istream operators
 
-        friend Istream& operator>>(Istream&, hashedWordList&);
-        friend Ostream& operator<<(Ostream&, const hashedWordList&);
+        friend Istream& operator>>(Istream& is, hashedWordList& lst);
+        friend Ostream& operator<<(Ostream& os, const hashedWordList& lst);
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/hashedWordListI.H b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/hashedWordListI.H
index 80f8d28be0..aa42bf697c 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/hashedWordListI.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/hashedWordListI.H
@@ -90,21 +90,15 @@ inline Foam::hashedWordList::hashedWordList(std::initializer_list<word> lst)
 template<class AnyType, class AnyHash>
 inline Foam::hashedWordList::hashedWordList
 (
-    const HashTable<AnyType, word, AnyHash>& h
+    const HashTable<AnyType, word, AnyHash>& tbl
 )
 :
-    List<word>(h.size())
+    List<word>(tbl.size())
 {
-    label nElem = 0;
-    for
-    (
-        typename HashTable<AnyType, word, AnyHash>::const_iterator
-        iter = h.cbegin();
-        iter != h.cend();
-        ++iter
-    )
+    label count = 0;
+    for (auto iter = tbl.cbegin(); iter != tbl.cend(); ++iter)
     {
-        List<word>::operator[](nElem++) = iter.key();
+        List<word>::operator[](count++) = iter.key();
     }
 
     this->sort();
@@ -162,6 +156,34 @@ inline void Foam::hashedWordList::sort()
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+inline const Foam::word& Foam::hashedWordList::operator[]
+(
+    const label index
+) const
+{
+    return List<word>::operator[](index);
+}
+
+
+inline Foam::label Foam::hashedWordList::operator[](const word& name) const
+{
+    auto iter = indices_.find(name);
+
+    if (iter.found())
+    {
+        return iter.object();
+    }
+
+    return -1;  // Not found (or not hashed?)
+}
+
+
+inline bool Foam::hashedWordList::operator()(const word& name) const
+{
+    return indices_.found(name);
+}
+
+
 inline void Foam::hashedWordList::operator=(const UList<word>& lst)
 {
     List<word>::operator=(lst);
@@ -182,20 +204,4 @@ inline void Foam::hashedWordList::operator=(const hashedWordList& lst)
 }
 
 
-inline const Foam::word& Foam::hashedWordList::operator[]
-(
-    const label index
-) const
-{
-    return List<word>::operator[](index);
-}
-
-
-inline Foam::label Foam::hashedWordList::operator[](const word& name) const
-{
-    // Could return -1 instead of bombing out
-    return indices_[name];
-}
-
-
 // ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/stringListOps.H b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/stringListOps.H
index 677d4e8a07..0ea3266d3e 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/stringListOps.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/stringListOps.H
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
     \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
-     \\/     M anipulation  |
+     \\/     M anipulation  | Copyright (C) 2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -35,91 +35,99 @@ SourceFiles
 #ifndef stringListOps_H
 #define stringListOps_H
 
-#include "regExp.H"
 #include "labelList.H"
 #include "stringList.H"
-#include "wordReList.H"
-#include "wordReListMatcher.H"
+#include "regExp.H"
+#include "wordRes.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 namespace Foam
 {
-    // Single-string matches:
+  // Single-string matches:
 
-    //- Return true if string matches one of the regular expressions
-    inline bool findStrings
-    (
-        const wordReListMatcher& matcher,
-        const std::string& str
-    )
+    //- Return true if text matches one of the regular expressions
+    //  The primary purpose of this function is to automatically convert
+    //  a wordReList to a wordRes for matching.
+    inline bool findStrings(const wordRes& matcher, const std::string& text)
     {
-        return matcher.match(str);
+        return matcher(text);
     }
 
-    // Multi-string matches:
 
-    //- Return list indices for matching strings
-    template<class Matcher, class StringType>
+  // Multi-string matches:
+
+    //- Extract list indices
+    //  The unary match predicate has the following signature:
+    //  \code
+    //  bool operator()(const std::string& text);
+    //  \endcode
+    //
+    //  \return List indices for matching strings
+    template<class UnaryMatchPredicate, class StringType>
     labelList findMatchingStrings
     (
-        const Matcher& matcher,
+        const UnaryMatchPredicate& matcher,
         const UList<StringType>& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     );
 
-    //- Return list indices for strings matching the regular expression
-    //  Template partial specialization of findMatchingStrings
-    template<class StringType>
-    labelList findStrings
-    (
-        const regExp& re,
-        const UList<StringType>& lst,
-        const bool invert=false
-    )
-    {
-        return findMatchingStrings(re, lst, invert);
-    }
 
     //- Return list indices for strings matching the regular expression
     //  Template partial specialization of findMatchingStrings
     template<class StringType>
     labelList findStrings
     (
-        const char* rePattern,
+        const regExp& matcher,
         const UList<StringType>& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     )
     {
-        const regExp re(rePattern);
-        return findMatchingStrings(re, lst, invert);
+        return findMatchingStrings(matcher, lst, invert);
     }
 
+
     //- Return list indices for strings matching the regular expression
     //  Template partial specialization of findMatchingStrings
     template<class StringType>
     labelList findStrings
     (
-        const std::string& rePattern,
+        const char* re,
         const UList<StringType>& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     )
     {
-        const regExp re(rePattern);
-        return findMatchingStrings(re, lst, invert);
+        const regExp matcher(re);
+        return findMatchingStrings(matcher, lst, invert);
     }
 
+
     //- Return list indices for strings matching the regular expression
     //  Template partial specialization of findMatchingStrings
     template<class StringType>
     labelList findStrings
     (
-        const wordRe& wre,
+        const std::string& re,
         const UList<StringType>& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     )
     {
-        return findMatchingStrings(wre, lst, invert);
+        const regExp matcher(re);
+        return findMatchingStrings(matcher, lst, invert);
+    }
+
+
+    //- Return list indices for strings matching the regular expression
+    //  Template partial specialization of findMatchingStrings
+    template<class StringType>
+    labelList findStrings
+    (
+        const wordRe& matcher,
+        const UList<StringType>& lst,
+        const bool invert=false
+    )
+    {
+        return findMatchingStrings(matcher, lst, invert);
     }
 
 
@@ -128,7 +136,7 @@ namespace Foam
     template<class StringType>
     labelList findStrings
     (
-        const wordReListMatcher& matcher,
+        const wordRes& matcher,
         const UList<StringType>& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     )
@@ -136,31 +144,50 @@ namespace Foam
         return findMatchingStrings(matcher, lst, invert);
     }
 
-    // subsetting multi-string matches (similar to ListOp):
+
+  // Subsetting multi-string matches (similar to ListOp):
 
     //- Extract elements of StringList when regular expression matches
     //  optionally invert the match
     //  eg, to extract all selected elements:
+    //  \code
     //    subsetMatchingStrings<regExp, stringList>(myRegExp, lst);
-    template<class Matcher, class StringListType>
+    //  \endcode
+    template<class UnaryMatchPredicate, class StringListType>
     StringListType subsetMatchingStrings
     (
-        const Matcher&,
-        const StringListType&,
+        const UnaryMatchPredicate& matcher,
+        const StringListType& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     );
 
+
     //- Extract elements of StringList when regular expression matches
     //  Template partial specialization of subsetMatchingStrings
     template<class StringListType>
     StringListType subsetStrings
     (
-        const regExp& re,
+        const regExp& matcher,
         const StringListType& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     )
     {
-        return subsetMatchingStrings(re, lst, invert);
+        return subsetMatchingStrings(matcher, lst, invert);
+    }
+
+
+    //- Extract elements of StringList when regular expression matches
+    //  Template partial specialization of subsetMatchingStrings
+    template<class StringListType>
+    StringListType subsetStrings
+    (
+        const char* re,
+        const StringListType& lst,
+        const bool invert=false
+    )
+    {
+        const regExp matcher(re);
+        return subsetMatchingStrings(matcher, lst, invert);
     }
 
     //- Extract elements of StringList when regular expression matches
@@ -168,13 +195,13 @@ namespace Foam
     template<class StringListType>
     StringListType subsetStrings
     (
-        const char* rePattern,
+        const std::string& re,
         const StringListType& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     )
     {
-        const regExp re(rePattern);
-        return subsetMatchingStrings(re, lst, invert);
+        const regExp matcher(re);
+        return subsetMatchingStrings(matcher, lst, invert);
     }
 
     //- Extract elements of StringList when regular expression matches
@@ -182,13 +209,12 @@ namespace Foam
     template<class StringListType>
     StringListType subsetStrings
     (
-        const std::string& rePattern,
+        const wordRe& matcher,
         const StringListType& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     )
     {
-        const regExp re(rePattern);
-        return subsetMatchingStrings(re, lst, invert);
+        return subsetMatchingStrings(matcher, lst, invert);
     }
 
     //- Extract elements of StringList when regular expression matches
@@ -196,20 +222,7 @@ namespace Foam
     template<class StringListType>
     StringListType subsetStrings
     (
-        const wordRe& wre,
-        const StringListType& lst,
-        const bool invert=false
-    )
-    {
-        return subsetMatchingStrings(wre, lst, invert);
-    }
-
-    //- Extract elements of StringList when regular expression matches
-    //  Template partial specialization of subsetMatchingStrings
-    template<class StringListType>
-    StringListType subsetStrings
-    (
-        const wordReListMatcher& matcher,
+        const wordRes& matcher,
         const StringListType& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     )
@@ -222,11 +235,11 @@ namespace Foam
     //  optionally invert the match
     //  eg, to extract all selected elements:
     //    inplaceSubsetMatchingStrings<regExp, stringList>(myRegExp, lst);
-    template<class Matcher, class StringListType>
+    template<class UnaryMatchPredicate, class StringListType>
     void inplaceSubsetMatchingStrings
     (
-        const Matcher&,
-        StringListType&,
+        const UnaryMatchPredicate& matcher,
+        StringListType& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     );
 
@@ -235,12 +248,12 @@ namespace Foam
     template<class StringListType>
     void inplaceSubsetStrings
     (
-        const regExp& re,
+        const regExp& matcher,
         StringListType& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     )
     {
-        inplaceSubsetMatchingStrings(re, lst, invert);
+        inplaceSubsetMatchingStrings(matcher, lst, invert);
     }
 
     //- Inplace extract elements of StringList when regular expression matches
@@ -248,13 +261,13 @@ namespace Foam
     template<class StringListType>
     void inplaceSubsetStrings
     (
-        const char* rePattern,
+        const char* re,
         StringListType& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     )
     {
-        const regExp re(rePattern);
-        inplaceSubsetMatchingStrings(re, lst, invert);
+        const regExp matcher(re);
+        inplaceSubsetMatchingStrings(matcher, lst, invert);
     }
 
     //- Inplace extract elements of StringList when regular expression matches
@@ -262,13 +275,13 @@ namespace Foam
     template<class StringListType>
     void inplaceSubsetStrings
     (
-        const std::string& rePattern,
+        const std::string& re,
         StringListType& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     )
     {
-        const regExp re(rePattern);
-        inplaceSubsetMatchingStrings(re, lst, invert);
+        const regExp matcher(re);
+        inplaceSubsetMatchingStrings(matcher, lst, invert);
     }
 
     //- Inplace extract elements of StringList when regular expression matches
@@ -276,12 +289,12 @@ namespace Foam
     template<class StringListType>
     void inplaceSubsetStrings
     (
-        const wordRe& wre,
+        const wordRe& matcher,
         StringListType& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     )
     {
-        inplaceSubsetMatchingStrings(wre, lst, invert);
+        inplaceSubsetMatchingStrings(matcher, lst, invert);
     }
 
     //- Inplace extract elements of StringList when regular expression matches
@@ -289,7 +302,7 @@ namespace Foam
     template<class StringListType>
     void inplaceSubsetStrings
     (
-        const wordReListMatcher& matcher,
+        const wordRes& matcher,
         StringListType& lst,
         const bool invert=false
     )
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/stringListOpsTemplates.C b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/stringListOpsTemplates.C
index 88cf093846..89dda345ff 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/stringListOpsTemplates.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/stringListOpsTemplates.C
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
     \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011 OpenFOAM Foundation
-     \\/     M anipulation  |
+     \\/     M anipulation  | Copyright (C) 2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -25,75 +25,79 @@ License
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-template<class Matcher, class StringType>
+template<class UnaryMatchPredicate, class StringType>
 Foam::labelList Foam::findMatchingStrings
 (
-    const Matcher& matcher,
+    const UnaryMatchPredicate& matcher,
     const UList<StringType>& lst,
     const bool invert
 )
 {
     labelList indices(lst.size());
 
-    label nElem = 0;
-    forAll(lst, elemI)
+    label count = 0;
+    forAll(lst, elemi)
     {
-        if (matcher.match(lst[elemI]) ? !invert : invert)
+        if (matcher(lst[elemi]) ? !invert : invert)
         {
-            indices[nElem++] = elemI;
+            indices[count++] = elemi;
         }
     }
-    indices.setSize(nElem);
+    indices.setSize(count);
 
     return indices;
 }
 
 
-template<class Matcher, class StringListType>
+template<class UnaryMatchPredicate, class StringListType>
 StringListType Foam::subsetMatchingStrings
 (
-    const Matcher& matcher,
+    const UnaryMatchPredicate& matcher,
     const StringListType& lst,
     const bool invert
 )
 {
-    // Create copy
+    // Create as a copy
     StringListType newLst(lst.size());
 
-    // ensure consistent addressable size (eg, DynamicList)
+    // Ensure consistent addressable size (eg, DynamicList)
     newLst.setSize(lst.size());
 
-    label nElem = 0;
-    forAll(lst, elemI)
+    label count = 0;
+    forAll(lst, elemi)
     {
-        if (matcher.match(lst[elemI]) ? !invert : invert)
+        if (matcher(lst[elemi]) ? !invert : invert)
         {
-            newLst[nElem++] = lst[elemI];
+            newLst[count++] = lst[elemi];
         }
     }
-    newLst.setSize(nElem);
+    newLst.setSize(count);
 
     return newLst;
 }
 
 
-template<class Matcher, class StringListType>
+template<class UnaryMatchPredicate, class StringListType>
 void Foam::inplaceSubsetMatchingStrings
 (
-    const Matcher& matcher,
+    const UnaryMatchPredicate& matcher,
     StringListType& lst,
     const bool invert
 )
 {
-    label nElem = 0;
-    forAll(lst, elemI)
+    label count = 0;
+    forAll(lst, elemi)
     {
-        if (matcher.match(lst[elemI]) ? !invert : invert)
+        if (matcher(lst[elemi]) ? !invert : invert)
         {
-            lst[nElem++] = lst[elemI];
+            if (count != elemi)
+            {
+                lst[count] = lst[elemi];
+            }
+            ++count;
         }
     }
-    lst.setSize(nElem);
+    lst.setSize(count);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/string/string.H b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/string/string.H
index b1129c7c3a..87cb00104b 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/string/string.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/string/string.H
@@ -94,7 +94,9 @@ public:
         hash()
         {}
 
-        inline unsigned operator()(const string&, unsigned seed = 0) const;
+        //- Hash for string.
+        //  Uses Foam::string instead of std::string for automatic conversions.
+        inline unsigned operator()(const string& str, unsigned seed = 0) const;
     };
 
 
@@ -109,7 +111,7 @@ public:
         //- Construct as copy of character array
         inline string(const char* str);
 
-        //- Construct as copy of specified number of characters
+        //- Construct as copy with a maximum number of characters
         inline string(const char* str, const size_type len);
 
         //- Construct from a single character
@@ -222,14 +224,18 @@ public:
 
     // Member Operators
 
-        //- Return the sub-string from the i-th character for \a n characters
+        //- Match text
+        //  \return True when strings match literally.
+        inline bool operator()(const std::string& text) const;
+
+        //- Return sub-string from the i-th character for \a n characters
         inline string operator()
         (
             const size_type i,
             const size_type n
         ) const;
 
-        //- Return the sub-string from the first character for \a n characters
+        //- Return sub-string from the first character for \a n characters
         inline string operator()
         (
             const size_type n
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/string/stringI.H b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/string/stringI.H
index ccd5d29616..b23a71b2d5 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/string/stringI.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/string/stringI.H
@@ -178,15 +178,21 @@ inline String Foam::string::validate(const std::string& str)
     return ss;
 }
 
+
 inline bool Foam::string::match(const std::string& text) const
 {
-    // check as string
-    return (text == *this);
+    return !compare(text);  // Always compare as literal string
 }
 
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+inline bool Foam::string::operator()(const std::string& text) const
+{
+    return !compare(text);  // Always compare as literal string
+}
+
+
 inline Foam::string Foam::string::operator()
 (
     const size_type i,
@@ -205,11 +211,11 @@ inline Foam::string Foam::string::operator()(const size_type n) const
 
 inline unsigned Foam::string::hash::operator()
 (
-    const string& key,
+    const string& str,
     unsigned seed
 ) const
 {
-    return Hasher(key.data(), key.size(), seed);
+    return Hasher(str.data(), str.size(), seed);
 }
 
 // ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/word/word.H b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/word/word.H
index 1bc258bac9..4561292ab9 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/word/word.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/word/word.H
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ Class
     Foam::word
 
 Description
-    A class for handling words, derived from string.
+    A class for handling words, derived from Foam::string.
 
     A word is a string of characters without whitespace, quotes, slashes,
     semicolons or brace brackets. Words are delimited by whitespace.
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ public:
         inline word
         (
             const char* s,
-            const size_type,
+            const size_type len,
             const bool doStripInvalid
         );
 
@@ -119,12 +119,12 @@ public:
 
     // Member operators
 
-        // Assignment
+      // Assignment
 
-            inline void operator=(const word& w);
-            inline void operator=(const string& s);
-            inline void operator=(const std::string& s);
-            inline void operator=(const char* s);
+        inline void operator=(const word& w);
+        inline void operator=(const string& s);
+        inline void operator=(const std::string& s);
+        inline void operator=(const char* s);
 
 
     // Friend Operators
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/word/wordI.H b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/word/wordI.H
index e19356f912..7f7aa10829 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/word/wordI.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/word/wordI.H
@@ -99,11 +99,11 @@ inline Foam::word::word(const char* s, const bool doStripInvalid)
 inline Foam::word::word
 (
     const char* s,
-    const size_type n,
+    const size_type len,
     const bool doStripInvalid
 )
 :
-    string(s, n)
+    string(s, len)
 {
     if (doStripInvalid)
     {
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRe/wordRe.H b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRe/wordRe.H
index 21eba6421d..ede0a7a047 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRe/wordRe.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRe/wordRe.H
@@ -92,15 +92,15 @@ public:
     // Public data types
 
         //- Enumeration with compile options
-        //  Note that 'REGEXP' is implicit if 'NOCASE' is specified alone.
+        //  Note that 'REGEX' is implicit if 'NOCASE' is specified alone.
         enum compOption
         {
             LITERAL = 0, //!< Treat as a string literal
             DETECT  = 1, //!< Detect if the string contains meta-characters
-            REGEXP  = 2, //!< Treat as regular expression
+            REGEX   = 2, //!< Treat as regular expression
             NOCASE  = 4, //!< Ignore case in regular expression
-            DETECT_NOCASE = DETECT | NOCASE,  //!< Combined DETECT and NOCASE
-            REGEXP_NOCASE = REGEXP | NOCASE   //!< Combined REGEXP and NOCASE
+            DETECT_NOCASE = DETECT|NOCASE,  //!< Combined DETECT and NOCASE
+            REGEX_NOCASE  = REGEX|NOCASE    //!< Combined REGEX and NOCASE
         };
 
 
@@ -119,30 +119,35 @@ public:
         //- Construct as copy
         inline wordRe(const wordRe& str);
 
-        //- Construct from keyType
+        //- Construct from keyType, using its compile information
         inline explicit wordRe(const keyType& str);
 
+        //- Construct as copy of character array, treat as a literal
+        inline explicit wordRe(const char* str);
+
+        //- Construct as copy of std::string, treat as a literal
+        inline explicit wordRe(const std::string& str);
+
+        //- Construct as copy of string, treat as a literal
+        inline explicit wordRe(const string& str);
+
+        //- Construct as copy of word, treat as a literal
+        inline explicit wordRe(const word& str);
+
         //- Construct from keyType, use specified compile option
         inline wordRe(const keyType& str, const compOption);
 
-        //- Construct as copy of word
-        inline explicit wordRe(const word& str);
+        //- Construct as copy of character array, use specified compile option
+        inline wordRe(const char* str, const compOption);
 
-        //- Construct as copy of character array
-        //  Optionally specify how it should be treated.
-        inline explicit wordRe(const char* str, const compOption = LITERAL);
+        //- Construct as copy of std::string, use specified compile option
+        inline wordRe(const std::string& str, const compOption);
 
-        //- Construct as copy of string.
-        //  Optionally specify how it should be treated.
-        inline explicit wordRe(const string& str, const compOption = LITERAL);
+        //- Construct as copy of string, use specified compile option
+        inline wordRe(const string& str, const compOption);
 
-        //- Construct as copy of std::string
-        //  Optionally specify how it should be treated.
-        inline explicit wordRe
-        (
-            const std::string& str,
-            const compOption = LITERAL
-        );
+        //- Construct as copy of word, use specified compile option
+        inline wordRe(const word& str, const compOption);
 
         //- Construct from Istream
         //  Words are treated as literals, strings with an auto-test
@@ -200,6 +205,13 @@ public:
 
     // Member operators
 
+        //- Avoid masking the normal operator()
+        using word::operator();
+
+        //- Perform smart match on text, as per match()
+        inline bool operator()(const std::string& text) const;
+
+
       // Assignment
 
         //- Copy wordRe and its type (literal or regex)
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRe/wordReI.H b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRe/wordReI.H
index 78de818e3a..b01c590554 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRe/wordReI.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRe/wordReI.H
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
     \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
-     \\/     M anipulation  |
+     \\/     M anipulation  | Copyright (C) 2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe()
 
 inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const wordRe& str)
 :
-    word(str),
+    word(str, false),
     re_()
 {
     if (str.isPattern())
@@ -58,13 +58,6 @@ inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const wordRe& str)
 }
 
 
-inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const word& str)
-:
-    word(str),
-    re_()
-{}
-
-
 inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const keyType& str)
 :
     word(str, false),
@@ -77,6 +70,34 @@ inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const keyType& str)
 }
 
 
+inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const char* str)
+:
+    word(str, false),
+    re_()
+{}
+
+
+inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const std::string& str)
+:
+    word(str, false),
+    re_()
+{}
+
+
+inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const string& str)
+:
+    word(str, false),
+    re_()
+{}
+
+
+inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const word& str)
+:
+    word(str, false),
+    re_()
+{}
+
+
 inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const keyType& str, const compOption opt)
 :
     word(str, false),
@@ -91,17 +112,7 @@ inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const keyType& str, const compOption opt)
 
 inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const char* str, const compOption opt)
 :
-    word(str, false),
-    re_()
-{
-    compile(opt);
-}
-
-
-inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const string& str, const compOption opt)
-:
-    word(str, false),
-    re_()
+    wordRe(str)
 {
     compile(opt);
 }
@@ -109,8 +120,23 @@ inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const string& str, const compOption opt)
 
 inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const std::string& str, const compOption opt)
 :
-    word(str, false),
-    re_()
+    wordRe(str)
+{
+    compile(opt);
+}
+
+
+inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const string& str, const compOption opt)
+:
+    wordRe(str)
+{
+    compile(opt);
+}
+
+
+inline Foam::wordRe::wordRe(const word& str, const compOption opt)
+:
+    wordRe(str)
 {
     compile(opt);
 }
@@ -126,42 +152,38 @@ inline bool Foam::wordRe::isPattern() const
 
 inline bool Foam::wordRe::compile(const compOption opt) const
 {
-    bool doCompile = false;
+    if (opt)
+    {
+        bool comp = false;
 
-    if (opt & wordRe::REGEXP)
-    {
-        doCompile = true;
-    }
-    else if (opt & wordRe::DETECT)
-    {
-        if (string::meta<regExp>(*this) || !string::valid<word>(*this))
+        if (opt & wordRe::REGEX)
         {
-            doCompile = true;
+            comp = true;
+        }
+        else if (opt & wordRe::DETECT)
+        {
+            comp = string::meta<regExp>(*this) || !string::valid<word>(*this);
+        }
+        else if (opt & wordRe::NOCASE)
+        {
+            comp = true;
+        }
+
+        if (comp)
+        {
+            return re_.set(*this, (opt & wordRe::NOCASE));
         }
     }
-    else if (opt & wordRe::NOCASE)
-    {
-        doCompile = true;
-    }
 
-
-    if (doCompile)
-    {
-        re_.set(*this, (opt & wordRe::NOCASE));
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        re_.clear();
-    }
-
-    return re_.exists();
+    // Fall-through behaviour - not a regex
+    re_.clear();
+    return false;
 }
 
 
 inline bool Foam::wordRe::compile() const
 {
-    re_ = *this;
-    return re_.exists();
+    return re_.set(*this);
 }
 
 
@@ -169,7 +191,7 @@ inline void Foam::wordRe::uncompile(const bool doStripInvalid) const
 {
     if (re_.clear() && doStripInvalid)
     {
-        // skip stripping unless debug is active to avoid costly operations
+        // Skip stripping unless debug is active to avoid costly operations
         if (word::debug)
         {
             string::stripInvalid<word>
@@ -192,13 +214,11 @@ inline bool Foam::wordRe::match(const std::string& text, bool literal) const
 {
     if (literal || !re_.exists())
     {
-        // check as string
-        return (text == *this);
+        return !compare(text);  // Compare as literal string
     }
     else
     {
-        // check as regex
-        return re_.match(text);
+        return re_.match(text); // Match as regex
     }
 }
 
@@ -225,6 +245,12 @@ inline void Foam::wordRe::set(const char* str, const compOption opt)
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+inline bool Foam::wordRe::operator()(const std::string& text) const
+{
+    return match(text);
+}
+
+
 inline void Foam::wordRe::operator=(const wordRe& str)
 {
     string::operator=(str);
@@ -263,21 +289,21 @@ inline void Foam::wordRe::operator=(const keyType& str)
 inline void Foam::wordRe::operator=(const string& str)
 {
     string::operator=(str);
-    compile(wordRe::DETECT);  // auto-detect regex
+    compile(wordRe::DETECT);  // Auto-detect regex
 }
 
 
 inline void Foam::wordRe::operator=(const std::string& str)
 {
     string::operator=(str);
-    compile(wordRe::DETECT);  // auto-detect regex
+    compile(wordRe::DETECT);  // Auto-detect regex
 }
 
 
 inline void Foam::wordRe::operator=(const char* str)
 {
     string::operator=(str);
-    compile(wordRe::DETECT);  // auto-detect regex
+    compile(wordRe::DETECT);  // Auto-detect regex
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRes/wordReListMatcher.H b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRes/wordReListMatcher.H
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b7b63a5680
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRes/wordReListMatcher.H
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+    under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+    (at your option) any later version.
+
+    OpenFOAM is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+    ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+    FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+    for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+    along with OpenFOAM.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+Typedef
+    Foam::wordReListMatcher
+
+Description
+    The older name for Foam::wordRes, which is a wrapper for matching
+    a std::string against wordRe list.
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#ifndef wordReListMatcher_H
+#define wordReListMatcher_H
+
+#include "wordRes.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+
+     typedef wordRes wordReListMatcher;
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+} // End namespace Foam
+
+#endif
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/wordReListMatcher.C b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRes/wordRes.C
similarity index 89%
rename from src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/wordReListMatcher.C
rename to src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRes/wordRes.C
index 1a24dcbbb1..3f53f6492f 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/wordReListMatcher.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRes/wordRes.C
@@ -23,17 +23,17 @@ License
 
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
-#include "wordReListMatcher.H"
+#include "wordRes.H"
 #include "HashSet.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Member Functions * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-Foam::wordReList Foam::wordReListMatcher::uniq(const UList<wordRe>& input)
+Foam::wordReList Foam::wordRes::uniq(const UList<wordRe>& input)
 {
     wordReList retain(input.size());
     wordHashSet uniqWord;
 
-    label nUniq = 0;
+    label count = 0;
     forAll(input, i)
     {
         const wordRe& select = input[i];
@@ -44,11 +44,11 @@ Foam::wordReList Foam::wordReListMatcher::uniq(const UList<wordRe>& input)
          || uniqWord.insert(static_cast<const word&>(select))
         )
         {
-            retain[nUniq++] = select;
+            retain[count++] = select;
         }
     }
 
-    retain.setSize(nUniq);
+    retain.setSize(count);
     return retain;
 }
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/wordReListMatcher.H b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRes/wordRes.H
similarity index 57%
rename from src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/wordReListMatcher.H
rename to src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRes/wordRes.H
index 1f5785d3e4..7a62d9d101 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/wordReListMatcher.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRes/wordRes.H
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
     \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011 OpenFOAM Foundation
-     \\/     M anipulation  | Copyright (C) 2016 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  | Copyright (C) 2016-2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -22,23 +22,23 @@ License
     along with OpenFOAM.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 Class
-    Foam::wordReListMatcher
+    Foam::wordRes
 
 Description
-    A wrapper for matching a List of wordRe.
+    A wrapper for matching a std::string against a wordRe list.
 
 Note
     The constructor should remain non-explicit. This allows automatic
-    conversion from UList\<wordRe\> to wordReListMatcher in search
-    functions.
+    conversion from UList\<wordRe\> to wordRes in search functions.
 
 SourceFiles
-    wordReListMatcherI.H
+    wordResI.H
+    wordRes.C
 
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
-#ifndef wordReListMatcher_H
-#define wordReListMatcher_H
+#ifndef wordRes_H
+#define wordRes_H
 
 #include "wordReList.H"
 
@@ -48,48 +48,70 @@ namespace Foam
 {
 
 /*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
-                      Class wordReListMatcher Declaration
+                           Class wordRes Declaration
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
-class wordReListMatcher
+class wordRes
 {
     // Private data
 
         //- Reference to underlying list
-        const UList<wordRe>& reList_;
+        const UList<wordRe>& list_;
 
 public:
 
+    // STL type definitions
+
+        //- Type of values the list contains
+        typedef wordRe value_type;
+
+
     // Constructors
 
-        //- Construct from a List of wordRe
-        inline wordReListMatcher(const UList<wordRe>&);
+        //- Construct from a list of wordRe
+        inline wordRes(const UList<wordRe>& lst);
+
+
+    // Static Constructors, Helpers
+
+        //- Return a wordReList with duplicate words filtered out.
+        //  No filtering is done on regular expressions.
+        static wordReList uniq(const UList<wordRe>& input);
 
 
     // Member Functions
 
       // Access
 
+        //- The number of elements in the list
         inline label size() const;
-        inline bool  empty() const;
+
+        //- True if the list is empty
+        inline bool empty() const;
+
+
+      // Searching
+
+        //- Return true if string matches any of the regular expressions
+        //  Smart match as regular expression or as a string.
+        //  Optionally specify a literal match only.
+        inline bool match
+        (
+            const std::string& text,
+            const bool literal = false
+        ) const;
+
+
+    // Member operators
 
         //- Return underlying list of wordRe
         inline const UList<wordRe>& operator()() const;
 
+        //- Perform smart match on text, as per match()
+        inline bool operator()(const std::string& text) const;
 
-     // Searching
-
-       //- Return true if string matches any of the regular expressions
-       //  Smart match as regular expression or as a string.
-       //  Optionally specify a literal match only.
-       inline bool match(const std::string&, bool literalMatch=false) const;
-
-
-     // Helpers
-
-       //- Return a wordReList with duplicate words filtered out.
-       //  No filtering is done on regular expressions.
-       static wordReList uniq(const UList<wordRe>& input);
+        //- Return element of constant list
+        inline const wordRe& operator[](const label i) const;
 
 };
 
@@ -100,7 +122,7 @@ public:
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-#include "wordReListMatcherI.H"
+#include "wordResI.H"
 
 #endif
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/wordReListMatcherI.H b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRes/wordResI.H
similarity index 67%
rename from src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/wordReListMatcherI.H
rename to src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRes/wordResI.H
index d4b3c7dce2..600c228340 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/lists/wordReListMatcherI.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/primitives/strings/wordRes/wordResI.H
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
     \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011 OpenFOAM Foundation
-     \\/     M anipulation  |
+     \\/     M anipulation  | Copyright (C) 2017 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -26,46 +26,40 @@ License
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-inline Foam::wordReListMatcher::wordReListMatcher
+inline Foam::wordRes::wordRes
 (
-    const UList<wordRe>& lst
+    const UList<wordRe>& list
 )
 :
-    reList_(lst)
+    list_(list)
 {}
 
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-inline Foam::label Foam::wordReListMatcher::size() const
+inline Foam::label Foam::wordRes::size() const
 {
-    return reList_.size();
+    return list_.size();
 }
 
 
-inline bool Foam::wordReListMatcher::empty() const
+inline bool Foam::wordRes::empty() const
 {
-    return reList_.empty();
+    return list_.empty();
 }
 
 
-inline const Foam::UList<Foam::wordRe>&
-Foam::wordReListMatcher::operator()() const
-{
-    return reList_;
-}
-
-
-inline bool Foam::wordReListMatcher::match
+inline bool Foam::wordRes::match
 (
     const std::string& text,
-    bool literalMatch
+    const bool literal
 ) const
 {
-    const label n = reList_.size();
+    const label n = list_.size();
+
     for (label i = 0; i < n; ++i)
     {
-        if (reList_[i].match(text, literalMatch))
+        if (list_[i].match(text, literal))
         {
             return true;
         }
@@ -75,4 +69,24 @@ inline bool Foam::wordReListMatcher::match
 }
 
 
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+inline const Foam::UList<Foam::wordRe>& Foam::wordRes::operator()() const
+{
+    return list_;
+}
+
+
+inline bool Foam::wordRes::operator()(const std::string& text) const
+{
+    return match(text);
+}
+
+
+inline const Foam::wordRe& Foam::wordRes::operator[](const label i) const
+{
+    return list_[i];
+}
+
+
 // ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/conversion/ensight/mesh/ensightMesh.C b/src/conversion/ensight/mesh/ensightMesh.C
index b769c2b154..5a541f79fb 100644
--- a/src/conversion/ensight/mesh/ensightMesh.C
+++ b/src/conversion/ensight/mesh/ensightMesh.C
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ void Foam::ensightMesh::correct()
                 useAll = false;
                 matched = findMatchingStrings
                 (
-                    wordReListMatcher(matcher),
+                    wordRes(matcher),
                     patchNames
                 );
             }
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ void Foam::ensightMesh::correct()
         wordList selectZones = mesh_.faceZones().names();
         inplaceSubsetMatchingStrings
         (
-            wordReListMatcher(matcher),
+            wordRes(matcher),
             selectZones
         );
 
diff --git a/src/functionObjects/field/ddt2/ddt2.C b/src/functionObjects/field/ddt2/ddt2.C
index 08c23fd42f..859e4f6276 100644
--- a/src/functionObjects/field/ddt2/ddt2.C
+++ b/src/functionObjects/field/ddt2/ddt2.C
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ License
 
 #include "volFields.H"
 #include "dictionary.H"
-#include "wordReListMatcher.H"
+#include "wordRes.H"
 #include "steadyStateDdtScheme.H"
 #include "addToRunTimeSelectionTable.H"
 
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ bool Foam::functionObjects::ddt2::read(const dictionary& dict)
         return false;
     }
 
-    selectFields_ = wordReListMatcher::uniq
+    selectFields_ = wordRes::uniq
     (
         wordReList(dict.lookup("fields"))
     );
diff --git a/src/functionObjects/field/zeroGradient/zeroGradient.C b/src/functionObjects/field/zeroGradient/zeroGradient.C
index dedde1fe99..97a07cdfaf 100644
--- a/src/functionObjects/field/zeroGradient/zeroGradient.C
+++ b/src/functionObjects/field/zeroGradient/zeroGradient.C
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ License
 
 #include "volFields.H"
 #include "dictionary.H"
-#include "wordReListMatcher.H"
+#include "wordRes.H"
 #include "addToRunTimeSelectionTable.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ bool Foam::functionObjects::zeroGradient::read(const dictionary& dict)
 {
     fvMeshFunctionObject::read(dict);
 
-    selectFields_ = wordReListMatcher::uniq
+    selectFields_ = wordRes::uniq
     (
         wordReList(dict.lookup("fields"))
     );
diff --git a/src/sampling/surfMeshSampler/surfMeshSamplers/surfMeshSamplers.C b/src/sampling/surfMeshSampler/surfMeshSamplers/surfMeshSamplers.C
index 1ac7008f49..bf4dea789a 100644
--- a/src/sampling/surfMeshSampler/surfMeshSamplers/surfMeshSamplers.C
+++ b/src/sampling/surfMeshSampler/surfMeshSamplers/surfMeshSamplers.C
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ License
 #include "volPointInterpolation.H"
 #include "PatchTools.H"
 #include "mapPolyMesh.H"
-#include "wordReListMatcher.H"
+#include "wordRes.H"
 #include "addToRunTimeSelectionTable.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ bool Foam::surfMeshSamplers::write()
     }
 
     // avoid duplicate entries
-    select = wordReListMatcher::uniq(select);
+    select = wordRes::uniq(select);
 
     forAll(*this, surfI)
     {
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ bool Foam::surfMeshSamplers::read(const dictionary& dict)
 
     if (dict.found("surfaces"))
     {
-        fieldSelection_ = wordReListMatcher::uniq
+        fieldSelection_ = wordRes::uniq
         (
             wordReList(dict.lookup("fields"))
         );