rank

²rank

noun

Definition 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

1. people of high rank and profession
2. She's not concerned about rank or wealth.
3. officers with the rank of captain
4. He rose to the rank of partner in the law firm.
5. He longed to join the upper social ranks.
6. military ranks such as private, corporal, and sergeant
7. He moved up through the ranks to become vice president of the company.
8. The organization's ranks have doubled in the past two years.
9. The flu swept through the ranks, infecting almost every soldier.
10. 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

Related to RANK

Synonyms: degree, echelon, footing, level, place, position, ranking, reach(es), rung, situation, standing, station, status, stratum

Related Words: condition, estate, order, walk; capacity, function; rating

Near Antonyms: debasement, degradation; subordinateness, subordination; baseness, commonness, inferiority, lowliness, lowness

see all synonyms and antonyms

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