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Rank (răṉk), a. [Compar. Ranker (răṉkˈẽr); superl. Rankest.] [AS. ranc strong, proud; cf. D. rank slender, Dan. rank upright, erect, Prov. G. rank slender, Icel. rakkr slender, bold. The meaning seems to have been influenced by L. rancidus, E. rancid.]
1. Luxuriant in growth; of vigorous growth; exuberant; grown to immoderate height; as, “rank grass; rank weeds.”
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And, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. Gen. xli. 5.
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2. Raised to a high degree; violent; extreme; gross; utter; as, “rank heresy”. “Rank nonsense.” Hare. “I do forgive thy rankest fault.” Shak.
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3. Causing vigorous growth; producing luxuriantly; very rich and fertile; as, “rank land”. Mortimer.
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4. Strong-scented; rancid; musty; as, “oil of a rank smell; rank-smelling rue.” Spenser.
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5. Strong to the taste. “Divers sea fowls taste rank of the fish on which they feed.” Boyle.
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6. Inflamed with venereal appetite. [Obs.] Shak.
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Rank modus (Law), an excessive and unreasonable modus. See Modus, 3. -- To set (the iron of a plane, etc.) rank, to set so as to take off a thick shaving. Moxon.
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Rank, adv. Rankly; stoutly; violently. [Obs.]
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That rides so rank and bends his lance so fell. Fairfax.
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Rank, n. [OE. renk, reng, OF. renc, F. rang, fr. OHG. hring a circle, a circular row, G. ring. See Ring, and cf. Range, n. & v.]
1. A row or line; a range; an order; a tier; as, “a rank of osiers”.
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Many a mountain nigh
Rising in lofty ranks, and loftier still. Byron.
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2. (Mil.) A line of soldiers ranged side by side; -- opposed to file. See 1st File, 1 (a).
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Fierce, fiery warriors fought upon the clouds,
In ranks and squadrons and right form of war. Shak.
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3. Grade of official standing, as in the army, navy, or nobility; as, “the rank of general; the rank of admiral.”
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4. An aggregate of individuals classed together; a permanent social class; an order; a division; as, “ranks and orders of men; the highest and the lowest ranks of men, or of other intelligent beings.”
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5. Degree of dignity, eminence, or excellence; position in civil or social life; station; degree; grade; as, “a writer of the first rank; a lawyer of high rank.”
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These all are virtues of a meaner rank. Addison.
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6. Elevated grade or standing; high degree; high social position; distinction; eminence; as, “a man of rank”.
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Rank and file. (a) (Mil.) The whole body of common soldiers, including also corporals. In a more extended sense, it includes sergeants also, excepting the noncommissioned staff. (b) See under 1st File. -- The ranks, the order or grade of common soldiers; as, “to reduce a noncommissioned officer to the ranks”. -- To fill the ranks, to supply the whole number, or a competent number. -- To take rank of, to have precedence over, or to have the right of taking a higher place than.
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Rank, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ranked (răṉkt); p. pr. & vb. n. Ranking.]
1. To place abreast, or in a line.
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2. To range in a particular class, order, or division; to class; also, to dispose methodically; to place in suitable classes or order; to classify.
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Ranking all things under general and special heads. I. Watts.
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Poets were ranked in the class of philosophers. Broome.
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Heresy is ranked with idolatry and witchcraft. Dr. H. More.
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3. To take rank of; to outrank. [U.S.]
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Rank, v. i.
1. To be ranged; to be set or disposed, as in a particular degree, class, order, or division.
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Let that one article rank with the rest. Shak.
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2. To have a certain grade or degree of elevation in the orders of civil or military life; to have a certain degree of esteem or consideration; as, “he ranks with the first class of poets; he ranks high in public estimation.”
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