7 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Rank \Rank\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ranked}; p. pr & vb n.
{Ranking},]
1. To place abreast, or in a line
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.
Ranking all things under general and special heads.
--I. Watts.
Poets were ranked in the class of philosophers.
--Broome.
Heresy is ranked with idolatry and witchcraft. --Dr.
H. More
3. To take rank of to outrank. [U.S.]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Rank \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.]
1. Luxuriant in growth; of vigorous growth; exuberant; grown
to immoderate height; as rank grass; rank weeds.
And behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one
stalk, rank and good. --Gen. xli. 5.
2. Raised to a high degree; violent; extreme; gross; utter;
as rank heresy. ``Rank nonsense.'' --Hare. ``I do forgive
thy rankest fault.'' --Shak.
3. Causing vigorous growth; producing luxuriantly; very rich
and fertile; as rank land. --Mortimer.
4. Strong-scented; rancid; musty; as oil of a rank smell;
rank-smelling rue. --Spenser.
5. Strong to the taste. ``Divers sea fowls taste rank of the
fish on which they feed.'' --Boyle.
6. Inflamed with venereal appetite. [Obs.] --Shak.
{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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Rank \Rank\, adv
Rankly; stoutly; violently. [Obs.]
That rides so rank and bends his lance so fell.
--Fairfax.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
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.
Many a mountain nigh Rising in lofty ranks, and
loftier still --Byron.
2. (Mil.) A line of soldiers ranged side by side -- opposed
to file. See 1st {File}, 1
a .
Fierce, fiery warriors fought upon the clouds,
In ranks and squadrons and right form of war.
--Shak.
3. Grade of official standing, as in the army, navy, or
nobility; as the rank of general; the rank of admiral.
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.
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.
These all are virtues of a meaner rank. --Addison.
6. Elevated grade or standing; high degree; high social
position; distinction; eminence; as a man of rank.
{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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Rank \Rank\, v. i.
1. To be ranged; to be set or disposed, an in a particular
degree, class, order or division.
Let that one article rank with the rest. --Shak.
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.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
rank
adj 1: very fertile; producing profuse growth; "rank earth"
2: very offensive in smell or taste; "a rank cigar"
3: conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible; "a
crying shame"; "an egregious lie"; "flagrant violation of
human rights"; "a glaring error"; "gross ineptitude";
"gross injustice"; "rank treachery" [syn: {crying(a)}, {egregious},
{flagrant}, {glaring}, {gross}]
4: complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes
used informally as intensifiers; "absolute freedom"; "an
absolute dimwit"; "a downright lie"; "out-and-out mayhem";
"an out-and-out lie"; "a rank outsider"; "many right-down
vices"; "got the job through sheer persistence"; "sheer
stupidity" [syn: {absolute}, {downright}, {out-and-out(a)},
{rank(a)}, {right-down}, {sheer(a)}]
5: growing profusely; "rank jungle vegetation"
n 1: a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police)
standing abreast of one another; "the entrance was
guarded by ranks of policemen"
2: relative status; "his salary was determined by his rank and
seniority"
3: the ordinary members of an organization (such as the
soldiers excluding the officers of an army); "the strike
was supported by the union rank and file"; "he rose from
the ranks to become a colonel" [syn: {rank and file}]
4: position in a social hierarchy; "the British are more aware
of social status than Americans are" [syn: {social station},
{social status}, {social rank}]
5: the body of members of an organization or group "they
polled their membership"; "they found dissension in their
own ranks"; "he joined the ranks of the unemployed" [syn:
{membership}]
v 1: take or have a position relative to others "This painting
ranks among the best in the Western World"
2: assign a rank or rating to "how would you rank these
students?" [syn: {rate}, {range}, {order}, {grade}, {place}]
3: take precedence or surpass others in rank [syn: {outrank}]
From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]:
RANK, n. Relative elevation in the scale of human worth.
He held at court a rank so high
That other noblemen asked why.
"Because," 'twas answered, "others lack
His skill to scratch the royal back."
Aramis Jukes
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