range
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1range
noun, often attributive \ˈrānj\Definition of RANGE
1
a (1) : a series of things in a line : row (2) : a series of mountains (3) : one of the north-south rows of townships in a United States public-land survey that are numbered east and west from the principal meridian of the survey b : an aggregate of individuals in one order c : a direction line
2
: a cooking stove that has an oven and a flat top with burners or heating elements
3
a : a place that may be ranged over b : an open region over which animals (as livestock) may roam and feed c : the region throughout which a kind of organism or ecological community naturally lives or occurs
4
: the act of ranging about
5
a (1) : the horizontal distance to which a projectile can be propelled (2) : the horizontal distance between a weapon and target b : the maximum distance a vehicle or craft can travel without refueling c (1) : a place where shooting is practiced (2) : driving range
6
a : the space or extent included, covered, or used : scope b : the extent of pitch covered by a melody or lying within the capacity of a voice or instrument
7
a : a sequence, series, or scale between limits <a wide range of patterns> b : the limits of a series : the distance or extent between possible extremes c : the difference between the least and greatest values of an attribute or of the variable of a frequency distribution
8
a : the set of values a function may take on b : the class of admissible values of a variable
9
: line 11
See Examples of RANGE
- <knew exactly how many head of cattle were turned out on the range that morning to graze>
- <didn't know she had such a wide range of knowledge until I talked to her>
Origin of RANGE
Middle English, row of persons, from Anglo-French range, renge, from renger to range
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of RANGE
range, gamut, compass, sweep, scope, orbit mean the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control). range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities <the entire range of human experience>. gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another <a performance that ran the gamut of emotions>. compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity <your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study>. sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity <the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity>. scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible <as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened>. orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation <within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change>.
Other Cartography Terms
2range
verbrangedrang·ing
Definition of RANGE
transitive verb
1
a : to set in a row or in the proper order b : to place among others in a position or situation c : to assign to a category : classify
2
a : to rove over or through b : to sail or pass along
3
: to arrange (an anchor cable) on deck
4
: to graze (livestock) on a range
intransitive verb
1
a : to roam at large or freely b : to move over an area so as to explore it
2
: to take a position
3
a : to correspond in direction or line : align b : to extend in a particular direction
4
: to have range
5
: to change or differ within limits
6
of an organism : to live or occur in or be native to a region
Examples of RANGE
- The selection of food ranged from mild to very spicy.
- Items on the menu range from American fare like hamburgers and hot dogs to Italian pasta dishes.
- Grizzly bears range over a much smaller area than they once did.
- The plant once ranged across the island.
Origin of RANGE
Middle English, from Anglo-French renger, from renc, reng line, place, row — more at rank
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to RANGE
- Synonyms
- assort, break down, categorize, class, codify, compartment, compartmentalize, digest, distinguish, distribute, grade, group, peg, place, classify, rank, relegate, separate, sort, type
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