From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Rank \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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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Rank \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.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Rank \Rank\ (r[a^][ng]k), a. [Compar. Ranker
(r[a^][ng]k"[~e]r); 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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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Rank \Rank\ (r[a^][ng]k), a. [Compar. Ranker
(r[a^][ng]k"[~e]r); 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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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Rank \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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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Rank \Rank\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ranked (r[a^][ng]kt); 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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