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rank |
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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