GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 5 definitions

1.       
   Rank , a. [Compar. Ranker ; 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.]
   Luxuriant in growth; of vigorous growth; exuberant; grown to immoderate height; as, rank grass; rank weeds.
   1913 Webster
   And, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
   Gen. xli. 5.
   
   1913 Webster
   Raised to a high degree; violent; extreme; gross; utter; as, rank heresy. “Rank nonsense.” Hare. “I do forgive thy rankest fault.” Shak.
   1913 Webster
   Causing vigorous growth; producing luxuriantly; very rich and fertile; as, rank land.
   Mortimer.
   
   1913 Webster
   Strong-scented; rancid; musty; as, oil of a rank smell; rank-smelling rue.
   Spenser.
   
   1913 Webster
   Strong to the taste. “Divers sea fowls taste rank of the fish on which they feed.”
   Boyle.
   
   1913 Webster
   Inflamed with venereal appetite. [Obs.]
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   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.
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

2.       
   Rank, adv. Rankly; stoutly; violently. [Obs.]
   1913 Webster
   That rides so rank and bends his lance so fell.
   Fairfax.
   
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

3.       
   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.]
   A row or line; a range; an order; a tier; as, a rank of osiers.
   1913 Webster
   Many a mountain nigh
   Rising in lofty ranks, and loftier still.
   Byron.
   
   1913 Webster
   (Mil.) A line of soldiers ranged side by side; -- opposed to file. See 1st File, 1 (a).
   1913 Webster
   Fierce, fiery warriors fought upon the clouds,
   In ranks and squadrons and right form of war.
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   Grade of official standing, as in the army, navy, or nobility; as, the rank of general; the rank of admiral.
   1913 Webster
   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.
   1913 Webster
   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.
   1913 Webster
   These all are virtues of a meaner rank.
   Addison.
   
   1913 Webster
   Elevated grade or standing; high degree; high social position; distinction; eminence; as, a man of rank.
   1913 Webster
   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.
   1913 Webster
   
         
       

4.       
   Rank, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ranked ; p. pr. & vb. n. Ranking.]
   To place abreast, or in a line.
   1913 Webster
   To range in a particular class, order, or division; to class; also, to dispose methodically; to place in suitable classes or order; to classify.
   1913 Webster
   Ranking all things under general and special heads.
   I. Watts.
   
   1913 Webster
   Poets were ranked in the class of philosophers.
   Broome.
   
   1913 Webster
   Heresy is ranked with idolatry and witchcraft.
   Dr. H. More.
   
   1913 Webster
   To take rank of; to outrank. [U.S.]
   1913 Webster
         
       

5.       
   Rank, v. i.
   To be ranged; to be set or disposed, as in a particular degree, class, order, or division.
   1913 Webster
   Let that one article rank with the rest.
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   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.
   1913 Webster