rank
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1rank
adjective \ˈraŋk\Definition of RANK
1
: luxuriantly or excessively vigorous in growth
2
: offensively gross or coarse : foul
3
obsolete : grown too large
4
a : shockingly conspicuous <must lecture him on his rank disloyalty — David Walden> b : outright —used as an intensive <rank beginners>
6
: offensive in odor or flavor; especially : rancid
See Examples of RANK
- You can't expect a rank beginner like her to know all the rules of the game.
- <covered with trumpet vines so rank you couldn't see the trellis beneath them>
Origin of RANK
Middle English, from Old English ranc overbearing, strong; akin to Old Norse rakkr erect and perhaps to Old English riht right — more at right
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to RANK
- Synonyms
- lush, luxuriant, prosperous, rampant, weedy
- Antonyms
- sparse
See Synonym Discussion at malodorous, flagrant
Other Botany Terms
2rank
nounDefinition of RANK
1
a : row, series b : a row of people c (1) : a line of soldiers ranged side by side in close order (2) plural : armed forces (3) plural : the body of enlisted personnel d : any of the rows of squares that extend across a chessboard perpendicular to the files e British : stand 6
2
a : relative standing or position b : a degree or position of dignity, eminence, or excellence : distinction <soon took rank as a leading attorney — J. D. Hicks> c : high social position <the privileges of rank> d : a grade of official standing in a hierarchy
3
: an orderly arrangement : formation
4
: an aggregate of individuals classed together —usually used in plural
5
: the order according to some statistical characteristic (as the score on a test)
6
: any of a series of classes of coal based on increasing alteration of the parent vegetable matter, increasing carbon content, and increasing fuel value
7
: the number of linearly independent rows or columns in a matrix
Examples of RANK
- people of high rank and profession
- She's not concerned about rank or wealth.
- officers with the rank of captain
- He rose to the rank of partner in the law firm.
- He longed to join the upper social ranks.
- military ranks such as private, corporal, and sergeant
- He moved up through the ranks to become vice president of the company.
- The organization's ranks have doubled in the past two years.
- The flu swept through the ranks, infecting almost every soldier.
- Several men were selected from the ranks.
Origin of RANK
Middle English, from Anglo-French renc, reng, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German hring ring — more at ring
First Known Use: 14th century
3rank
verbDefinition of RANK
transitive verb
1
: to arrange in lines or in a regular formation
2
: to determine the relative position of : rate <a highly ranked prospect>
3
: to take precedence of
intransitive verb
1
: to form or move in ranks
2
: to take or have a position in relation to others <ranks first in her class>
Examples of RANK
- A magazine recently ranked the school as one of the best in the country.
- The city currently ranks as the world's largest.
- Students who rank in the top third of their class have a better chance of being accepted to the college of their choice.
First Known Use of RANK
1573
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