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单词 rank
释义

rankn.1

Brit. /raŋk/, U.S. /ræŋk/
Forms:

α. Middle English (1800s– English regional (northern)) ronk, Middle English– rank, 1500s–1600s rancke, 1500s–1600s ranke, 1500s–1700s ranck, 1600s ranque; Scottish pre-1700 raink, pre-1700 ranck, pre-1700 ranke, pre-1700 1700s– rank.

β. 1500s rencq, 1800s– renk (English regional (northern)); Scottish pre-1700 renk.

Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymons: French renc, renke, rang.
Etymology: < Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French renc, ranc, Anglo-Norman and Middle French renk (also renke), variants of rang (French rang ) line (of soldiers), row (of people) (c1100), row, line (of things) (c1160), row on a chessboard (13th cent. in Anglo-Norman), space reserved for jousting, (in plural) lists (13th cent.), place of a person or thing in a series (mid 14th cent.), high social position (mid 15th cent.), place or position in an order or classification, social class (1549; in French also ‘place which someone occupies in society’ (1640)) < an (unattested) Frankish cognate of ring n.1; the sense of the French word apparently arose from application originally to a circular or cross-shaped disposition of forces in battle. Compare Old Occitan renc . Compare range n.1 and renge n.1, and compare also rang n.In the specific use at sense 9, after German Rang (G. Frobenius 1879, in Jrnl. f. die reine u. angewandte Math. 86 1).
I. A row, line, or file, and senses derived from this.
1.
a. A row, line, or series of things.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrangement in (a) row(s) or line(s > [noun] > a line or row
reweOE
rowc1225
ranka1325
rengec1330
ordera1382
rulec1384
rangea1450
ray1481
line1557
tier1569
train1610
string1713
rail1776
windrow1948
a1325 St. Denis (Corpus Cambr.) 40 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill S. Eng. Legendary (1956) 435 (MED) Sein Poul com to Attenus; as he prechede alonde wide þe rank of auters he sei.
a1544 R. Barlow tr. M. Fernández de Enciso Brief Summe Geogr. (1932) 175 [The lagartus] hath a grete mouth and on every iawe ij rankys of teethe.
1576 A. Fleming tr. C. Plinius Novocomensis in Panoplie Epist. 249 Such a rancke and rowe of litigious causes..hange one vppon another, as linckes in a long chaine.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. xi. sig. K8v In either iaw Three ranckes of yron teeth enraunged were.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iv. iii. 80 The ranke of Oziers, by the murmuring streame. View more context for this quotation
1693 J. Evelyn tr. J. de La Quintinie Compl. Gard'ner ii. vi. iii. 149 A Rank of Baskets..one at the tail of the other, beginning the Rank or Row where the Bed is to end.
1704 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum I The Tetrachord of the Ancients was a rank of four Strings.
?1790 N. Wyndham Trav. through Europe III. 381 Here is a fine walk from St Michael's gate into the fields, and three alleys, formed by four ranks of trees.
1836 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Plants (rev. ed.) Gloss. 1103/2 Quadrifarious, arranged in four rows or ranks.
1888 C. T. Jacobi Printers' Vocab. 110 Rank, composing frames are generally arranged in rows or ranks.
1931 W. Faulkner Sanctuary xi. 104 The blind man..passed from view, the stick rattling lightly along the rank of empty stalls.
1954 O. Sitwell Four Continents v. 126 The passing glimpse of the ranks of the dingy squat houses of Harlem.
1993 G. Ward Water Damage (1994) viii. 99 The servants' staircase lay opposite the boys' bathroom: showers without doors, a rank of sterile white sinks.
b. Music. A row of organ pipes graduated in size and controlled by a particular stop, each pipe in the row corresponding to a key on the keyboard.
ΚΠ
1660 Specif. Organ Banqueting Room, Whitehall in G. Grove Dict. Music (1880) II. 591/1 Great Organ..9. Cornet, to middle C, 3 ranks..Eccho Organ..18. Cornet, 2 ranks.
1683 B. Smith in J. Sutton Short Acct. Organs (1847) i. 44 A mixture of three ranks of pipes of Mittall containing one hundred and sixty two pipes.
1740 J. Grassineau tr. S. De Brossard Musical Dict. 171 In the mould is soldered that part called the tube, whose inward opening is a continuation of the reed; the form of this tube is different, in different ranks of pipes.
1786 T. Busby Compl. Dict. Music at Stop Furniture Stop. A stop..comprising two or more ranks of pipes.
1852 tr. J. J. Seidel Organ & its Constr. 150 If a pipe is to be tuned, the mobs must be dropped into all the other pipes of the same rank, so as to prevent their sounding or whizzing.
1880 C. A. Edwards Organs ii. xxi. 153 The most useful Mixture for a small organ is one of three ranks.
1954 Grove's Dict. Music (ed. 5) II. 304/2 The average cinema organ is quite a small instrument, having only about ten extended ranks of pipes.
1988 Organbuilder May 29/1 The ring and nut construction is generally adopted at 4ft C for Trompettes and Hautbois and is used throughout the compass for cylindrical ranks.
2006 Peak District Life Spring 77/3 The Compton..had three manuals, six ranks of pipes and a melotone attachment.
c. Botany. A row of leaves on a plant.
ΚΠ
1706 tr. L. Liger Compl. Florist in tr. F. Gentil Le Jardinier Solitaire 340 At the top of this Stalk grows a beamy Flower, whose Disk is compos'd of several ranks of yellow Leaves plac'd in the shape of a Crown.
1805 J. E. Smith Eng. Bot. XXI. 1443 Neckera pumila... Leaves in two ranks, ovate, slightly undulated.
1858 A. Irvine Illustr. Handbk. Brit. Plants 304 Lancashire Bog-Asphodel... Leaves radical, in tufts nearly as long as the stem, in two ranks.
1907 R. B. Hough Handbk. Trees Northern States & Canada 430 Leaves deciduous or persistent, arranged in five ranks.
1992 M. Ingrouille Diversity & Evol. Land Plants 215 The plant is flattened with two ranks of leaves large and overlapping.
d. A row of taxi cabs or (formerly) carriages waiting to be hired; an area in which such vehicles are authorized to wait for business, a cab stand.In quot. 1829: a row of private carriages awaiting the return of their owners.cab-, taxi rank: see at first word.No longer used in North America, where stand has become the standard term.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > transport by vehicles plying for hire > [noun] > driving or hiring of cabs > station for vehicles plying for hire
standa1732
rank1829
standing1831
cab stand1832
coach-stand1834
hazard1836
ranking1903
taxi rank1907
taxi station1912
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicles (plying) for hire > [noun] > row of vehicles waiting to be hired
rank1829
cab rank1834
taxi rank1907
1829 Times 28 Apr. 3/4 Sir Charles's coachman stated, that he was in the rank at the Opera-house with his master's carriage, when the Marquis Wellesley's coachman endeavoured to break into the rank.
1832 Times 21 May 3/6 The plaintiff, by cutting short through the rank of cabs, got the start of the coach.
1861 H. Mayhew London Labour (new ed.) III. 353/1 [The] small masters..are amongst the most respectable men of the ranks.
1930 D. L. Sayers Strong Poison i. 21 The taxi-driver Burke, who was standing on the rank in Guilford Street, was approached by Philip Boyes.
1978 Taxi 16 Feb. 2/2 The dozen cabmen who had gathered decided that a protest boycott was necessary and they began picketing the rank.
2000 A. Sayle Barcelona Plates 207 Mary got a taxi..from the rank outside and told it to go to Anfield.
e. Telephony. A row of selectors (selector n. c).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > telephone equipment > [noun] > exchange > exchange equipment
private line1852
bank1884
call-disc1884
howler1886
trunk1889
multiple switchboard1891
rack1893
line switch1898
heat coil1900
relay rack1902
multiple1905
listening key1906
telharmonium1906
wiper1906
preselector1912
line finder1922
rank1924
routiner1928
keysender1929
uniselector1930
wiper arm1933
1924 Brit. Stand. List Terms Telegraphs & Telephones 13 Rank of switches,..the switches which provide for any one stage of call selection.
1929 P.O. Engin. Dept. Techn. Instr. XXV. ii. 6 The number of ranks of selectors is one less than the required number of digits to call a number on the exchange.
1969 S. F. Smith Telephony & Telegr. A v. 119 If more than 1000 numbers are required, another rank of group selectors can be used.
2.
a. A row or line of people. In later use often as an extended use of sense 3a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrangement in (a) row(s) or line(s > [noun] > a line or row > specifically of people or animals
rangec1390
rankc1390
line-up1890
c1390 (?c1350) Joseph of Arimathie (1871) l. 599 Hit falles not for to seiȝe þe fere of his duntes. Þer he lousede his hond he leyde hem on Ronkes.
a1500 (a1450) Generides (Trin. Cambr.) 4810 (MED) He sette the pepill in his arraye. A xx Rankys trewly for to accompt.
1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (xlii. 5) David ment ranks: bycause they went..in orderly rowes when they came to the Tabernacle.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxxix. 248 A miserable ranke of poore lame and impotent persons.
1645 E. Waller At Pens-hurst ii. 16 If shee walk, in even rankes they stand, Like some well marshall'd and obsequious band.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 265 A ranck of wretched Youths, with pinion'd Hands.
1742 A. Pope New Dunciad 107 Courtiers and Patriots in two ranks divide, Thro' both he pass'd, and bow'd from side to side.
1779 H. Cowley Who's the Dupe? i. 2 He must be as expert at Fractions, as at Assaults; to-day mowing down ranks of soft Beings, just risen from their Embroidery; to-morrow, selling Pepper and Beetle-nut.
1871 B. Taylor tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust II. iii. 268 (stage direct.) [Chorus] dancing nimbly..in interlinking ranks.
1984 G. Jennings Journeyer 54 I was separated..only by a rank of priests yammering their ritual pimpirimpàra.
1998 Daily Tel. 2 Mar. 2/7 Stewards stationed at the start line on Victoria Embankment had used clickers to record each rank of marchers as they set off.
b. Probably: movement in line or file. Obsolete. rare.Perhaps also with connotations of hurrying; cf. rank adj. 2.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. ii. 96 It is the right Butter-womens ranke to Market. View more context for this quotation
3.
a. Military. A single line of soldiers drawn up abreast for drill or service, esp. as part of a formation; (in plural) a series of these; a force, battalion, army. Cf. rank and file n. 1 and rank entire at entire adj. 5b.archer-, battle-rank, etc.: see the first element.to close ranks: see close v. 10b; also in metaphorical phrases, as ranks of death, ranks of war.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed forces > [noun]
mainOE
strength?a1160
armaturea1450
force1487
ranka1533
armed forces1572
troops1598
military1757
fyrd1832
the services1850
society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > formation > [noun] > line
rengec1330
ray1481
ranka1533
hay1684
line1801
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. Arthur of Brytayn (?1560) xxviii. sig. Eiiiv Arthur wente searchynge the renkes [printed renkthes; Fr. les rencs] and preses he encountred the erle of Foys.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. ccxxxixv Now when the Kyng and she were mette and bothe their companyes ioyned together, they returned thorough the rankes of Knyghtes and Esquyers.
1574 H. G. tr. G. Cataneo Most Briefe Tables Ranckes of Footemen sig. Fiij Let 44 ranckes of unarmed Pikes..be bestowed behind these armed rankes.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. ii. 245 My State is braued,..with rankes of forraigne powres. View more context for this quotation
1668 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin Anat. (new ed.) iv. xx. 356 They resemble a rank of Souldiers in battle array.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 82 Extend thy loose Battalions..Opening thy Ranks and Files on either Side. View more context for this quotation
1732 T. Lediard tr. J. Terrasson Life Sethos II. ix. 320 The march was to be by ten in a rank.
a1771 T. Gray Imit. Propertius in Wks. (1814) II. 87 To paint the hero's toil, the ranks of war.
1799 Instr. & Regulations Cavalry (ed. 3) 324 The officers..will each successively..close his rear rank.
1813 W. Scott Rokeby i. 17 On Marston heath Met, front to front, the ranks of death.
1862 G. C. Strong Cadet Life at West Point 65 We were formed..into two ranks at parade rest.
1935 Man. Ceremonial (War Office) ii. 14 Numbers 1 and 4 of the front rank will then prove. On the command ‘As you were’, they will drop their arms to the side.
1966 New Scientist 17 Nov. 369/1 The claymore, whose effects can be devastating among close-packed ranks of men, was invented to deal with the wave formations of Chinese during the Korean war.
2000 Jrnl. Soc. Archer-Antiquaries 43 57/2 Each Company was marshalled as a solid square. Arquebusiers were in front and at the rear, in two ranks each of ten men.
b. figurative and in extended use, of animals or things.
ΚΠ
1577 N. Breton Floorish vpon Fancie sig. C A Garde of Geese, and Ganders, in one rancke.
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. K3 Simois..Whose waues to imitate the battaile sought..and their rankes began To breake vppon the galled shore. View more context for this quotation
1600 C. Tourneur Transformed Metamorph. sig. C2v The oceans monarch..The great controller of the whaly ranckes.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 137 At once the Ranks of swelling Streams divide. View more context for this quotation
1739 J. Thomson Edward & Eleonora iv. i. 40 They let him pass thro' Ranks of glaring Eyes.
1787 G. Colman Inkle & Yarico ii. 26 We have only to obey the word of command fall into the ranks of matrimony, and march thro' life together.
1855 Ld. Tennyson Amphion (rev. ed.) in Poems (ed. 10) 327 The linden broke her ranks and rent The woodbine wreaths that bind her.
1895 G. Gissing Let. 19 May (1994) V. 333 When a word has been so grievously mauled, it should be allowed to drop from the ranks.
1936 Stage June 45/2 With honesty of purpose, sincerity, true conviction, thus driven into frankly embattled ranks, what is left to the conventional theatre is piffling indeed.
1990 A. Adams Island Tax in Green Resistance (1996) 47 Commanded by a gale-force Southwest wind; long ranks of white-plumed horses advance against the land.
c. Chess. Each of the eight rows of squares running from side to side across a chessboard. Cf. file n.2 9.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > board game > chess > [noun] > chessboard > rank or file > rank
rank1597
1597 G. B. tr. M. H. Vida Scacchia Ludus in tr. Damiano da Odemira Ludus Scacchiæ: Chesse-play 22 Moouing a Pawne from left hand side, which on the fourth ranke stood.
1618 J. Barbier Saul's Famous Game Chesse-play (new ed.) ix. sig. C8v [The King's move is] to the next House or place, in File or rancke, of any side.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory (1905) 66/2 A Fork or dilemma, is a way of takeing a chesse man, by runing vp a pawn to the rank next two great men of the aduerse part standing in one rank with a house betweene them, where if one be saued, the other wilbe taken.
1719 R. Seymour Court Gamester 97 The eight principal Figures, are to be plac'd in the lowest Rank of the Board, next to the Gamester.
1799 P. Pratt Theory of Chess ii. 7 When a commoner has penetrated to the farthest rank on the adverse side of the board, he is rewarded with promotion to the highest vacant dignity.
1856 H. Melville Benito Cereno (rev. ed.) in Piazza Tales 170 White faces, here and there sparsely mixed in with the blacks, like stray white pawns venturously involved in the ranks of the chess-men opposed.
1894 J. Mason Princ. Chess 4 The rank upon which the player's Pieces are ranged is his first rank.
1914 Times 5 Mar. 8/5 [In medieval chess] When a pawn reaches the eighth rank it can only become a queen.
1957 I. A. Horowitz How to win in Chess Endings v. 43 Eventually, when the Black Pawn reaches the seventh rank, protected by the Black King, White will be stalemated.
1991 Chess Post Apr. 26/1 If it is necessary to indicate which piece or pawn is taken or the square to which the piece is moved, you still count the ranks from your end of the board.
d. In plural. With the and of. The body of people in a particular category; a company.
ΚΠ
1604 R. Parsons Rev. Ten Publike Disput. 108 The Catholiks do behould for their comfort, the whole ranks of ancient Fathers through euery age.
1613 G. Markham Second Pt. First Bk. Eng. Arcadia f. 40v Of all the ranks of Nymphes, Sheepheards, or Forresters, whose mornings ostentations would haue made one beleeue no length of time could tire out their resolutions; not any was able to keepe the veiw of the Hounds but onely the Princesse.
1781 W. Cowper Table Talk 768 'Twould thin the ranks of the poetic tribe.
1855 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Philip II of Spain I. ii. vii. 526 He at once enrolled himself in the ranks of the opposition.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vii. §6. 399 Scholars like Hooker, gentlemen like George Herbert, could now be found in the ranks of the priesthood.
1938 Times Lit. Suppl. 5 Mar. 153/1 Mr. Tourtellot is prepared to join the ranks of the admiring assemblée and to gaze at her with uncritical eyes.
1959 Life 20 July 20/2 The 69 criminal indictments have placed him squarely in the ranks of history's great stock swindlers.
1992 New Republic 3 Aug. 7/2 The ranks of the unemployed swell.
e. Military. In plural. Chiefly with the. The body of private soldiers in an army; ordinary soldiers, as opposed to officers; the rank and file. In extended use: ordinary members of an organization or group, as opposed to leaders or managers.to reduce to the ranks: see reduce v. 28b; other rank: see other adj., pron., n., and adv.2 Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > common soldier > [noun] > collectively
commonitya1550
rank1731
rank and file1756
other rank1904
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > the common people of any group > [noun]
floor1662
rank and file1828
rank1845
1731 P. Frowde Philotas iv. 47 Such was their low'ring Look; when from the Ranks A delegated Captain thus bespoke me.
1765 C. Smart tr. Psalms David lxxviii. 74 He chose out David from the ranks, And plac'd above the world.
1809 Duke of Wellington Let. to Beresford 25 June in Dispatches (1837) IV. 464 The irregularity of Colonel Blunt having three servants from the ranks.
1845 Punch 8 127 I've flattered Peel; he smiles back thanks... But still he keeps me in ‘the ranks’.
1897 Daily News 16 June 7/7 Native ranks, except three, doing well.
1919 J. Reed Ten Days that shook World iv. 80 Kerensky opened the officers' schools to the ranks, to any soldier who could pass an examination.
1942 Times 1 Sept. 2/3 The R.E.M.E. tradesman in the ranks will be given the new title of ‘craftsman’.
1971 Standard (Tanzania) 7 Apr. 3/4 In his closing speech the President called on Chadians who had not yet found the road of reconciliation to join those who had returned to the ranks of the party.
1995 Guardian 26 Apr. ii. 5/3 If rumpy-pumpy in the ranks does indeed make it ‘impossible to keep discipline’, there is only one solution: heterosexuals should be banned from the services forthwith.
4. Chiefly Military or as part of a military metaphor. Without article: line, order, array. Chiefly with in, into, out of.See also to break rank at Phrases 2b, to keep rank at Phrases 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrangement in (a) row(s) or line(s > [noun]
arraya1375
rulea1393
rank1567
arrayment1875
1567 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure xxx. f.375 The maiden steppeth forth to make the third in ranke.
1572 J. Higgins Huloets Dict. (rev. ed.) (at cited word) Goe in rancke, or raye, incede ordine. To come into rancke, or raye, incurrere in ordinem.
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres ii. 25 He must be carefull that his souldiers breake not out of ranke.
1624 P. Massinger Bond-man iv. iv. sig. I3v A part of your honours ruffe stands out of rancke.
1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 46 The Legate..soon reduced him into ranke.
1704 French Rogue iii. 25 They tumbled headlong over the Stools and Chairs, which I had set out of rank for some such purpose.
1796 Instr. & Regulations Cavalry 163 The serrefiles..place themselves in rank behind their squadrons, at half a horse distance.
1852 R. S. Surtees Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour i. ii. 6 The farm-houses are dotted about as thickly,..as to look like inferior ‘villas’ falling out of rank.
1885 T. D. English Boy's Bk. of Battle-lyrics 59 I saw the Hessian soldiers that were forming into rank.
1904 Biol. Bull. 6 79 Plate 52 of the imperfect prong steps out of rank.
1965 A. R. Ammons Tape for Turn of Year 17 Let thoughts & emotions fall behind into rank.
1998 Financial Times (Nexis) 20 Feb. 8 They are seen in public only when they carry out investigative ‘raids’ on suspect institutions, usually wearing their trademark raincoats and marching neatly in rank.
5. A group of people or things of a similar type; a class, set, kind. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > [noun] > a kind, sort, or class
kinc950
kindOE
distinction?c1225
rowc1300
spece1303
spice1303
fashionc1325
espicec1386
differencea1398
statec1450
sort?1523
notion1531
species1561
vein1568
brood1581
rank1585
order1588
race1590
breed1598
strain1612
batch1616
tap1623
siege1630
subdivision1646
notionality1651
category1660
denomination1664
footmark1666
genus1666
world1685
sortment1718
tribe1731
assortment1767
description1776
style1794
grouping1799
classification1803
subcategory1842
type1854
basket1916
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xxi. f. 27 The most part of them were put to the ranke of criminels forsworn [Fr. au rang des pechez effacés].
a1599 R. Rollock Sel. Wks. (1849) I. 438 Now I sal draw thir concupiscences to certain ranks.
1610 A. Willet Hexapla in Danielem 294 The diuers opinions..may be sorted into three ranks.
1660 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. III. i. 47 A Pythagorean of the Acousmatick ranck.
1725 I. Watts Logick ii. iii. 348 The Authority of Men is the Spring of another Rank of Prejudices.
1774 T. Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry I. Diss. i. e 4 b In the place of their old scalders a new rank of poets arose, called Gleemen or Harpers.
1795 C. Hutton Math. & Philos. Dict. at Polygonal Numbers Formulæ for the sums of n terms of the several ranks of Polygonal numbers.
II. A level or step in a sequence, series, or hierarchy.
6.
a. High social position or status; social distinction. Also in military or professional contexts. Also concrete: people of high status collectively.man of rank: see man n.1 Phrases 1s; people of rank: see people n. Phrases 1a; to pull rank: see pull v. 6.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > [noun]
highnesseOE
dignityc1230
worshiphead1340
gentryc1390
heighta1400
rank?c1430
portc1475
affair1480
stateliness1548
character1629
sublimitya1656
station1706
rate1707
elevatedness1731
tchin1861
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > [noun] > person of > collectively
dignity1548
robe1589
sanctorum1675
quality1693
statesfolk1735
laudable1815
rank1883
?c1430 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 227 (MED) Ful fewe ben clene to preie for þe peple for..excusynge of here synne and oþere mennis synne for money and worldly rank, aȝenst God in his riȝtful dom.
1611 in D. Masson Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1889) 1st Ser. IX. 213 [Among the delinquents there are] personis of rank and calling.
1663 Proposal to use no Conscience 6 We swear like Gentlemen of Rank, Curse, Damn, Sink.
1742 W. Shenstone School-mistress xi Some with Rank she grac'd, The Source of Children's, and of Courtier's Pride.
1776 Trial Maha Rajah Nundocomar for Forgery 91/1 I heard..several persons of rank had been to pay salams.
1830 I. D'Israeli Comm. Life Charles I III. v. 75 The pride of rank was attended by one of its peculiar infirmities.
1883 E. A. Freeman Some Impressions U.S. 172 The rank and fashion of the older country does not shut itself up in a town.
1928 L. P. Smith Words & Idioms 40 Some of these type-names give evidence of the impression made on foreigners by the travelling Englishmen of rank.
1968 J. Lock Lady Policeman xv. 129 Most days we wouldn't see any rank.
1972 J. R. T. Pollard in G. W. Knight Jackson Knight 10 One who stood above rank,..and took just as much interest in the problems and activities of the..College domestic staff as he did in those of the students and his fellow academics.
2001 Ashmolean Spring 14 Tiraz textiles created as wearable evidence of courtly affiliations and signs of rank.
b. A level in a military or professional hierarchy, or the people who constitute this; a grade, position, title.air, permanent, post rank, etc.: see the first element.name, rank, and (serial) number: see name n. and adj. Phrases 21.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military organization > [noun] > chain of command
rank1583
chain of command1957
1583 Sir T. Smith's De Republica Anglorum ii. xi. 54 The same order and rancke holdeth our chauncerie, and the chauncellor hath the verie authoritie heerein as had the Præter in the olde ciuill law before the time of the Emperours.
1590 T. Digges Breife Rep. Proc. Reliefe Sluce 11 (title) The Officers themselues may the better knowe and indeauour to perfourme their duties: and all others also thereby discerning clecreliect what Ranke they bee, may yeelde them Honour or Reproofe, according to their merites.
1745 Observ. conc. Navy 36 A Captain of a Man of War of the Line, is equal in Rank to a Colonel.
1761 F. Sheridan Mem. Miss Sidney Bidulph II. 344 He was an officer..having lately been promoted in the army to the rank of major.
1802 C. James New Mil. Dict. (at cited word) When an officer is seconded, he remains upon full pay, his rank goes on, and he may purchase the next vacant step.
1875 Encycl. Brit. I. 657 Diplomatic envoys are of three ranks..1. Ambassadors..2. Envoys extraordinary or ministers plenipotentiary, accredited to sovereigns..3. Chargés d'affaires.
1924 G. H. L. Mallory in E. F. Norton et al. Fight for Everest 1924 (1925) 235 He had decided to evacuate Camp III for the present and retire all ranks to the Base Camp.
1969 New Scientist 16 Oct. 109/2 The indignity of wearing a lapel badge displaying their name, rank and work-place to the world at large.
1990 F. Fyfield Trial by Fire (1991) v. 81 He had a love of rectitude and rules, a chronic dislike of all police officers under the rank of chief inspector.
c. A distinct level in a social hierarchy, or the people who constitute this; a class, station, order.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > [noun] > distinction of class > level or grade
mannishOE
placec1330
state1340
gree1382
conditionc1384
sectc1384
sortc1386
ordera1400
raff?a1400
degreea1425
countenancec1477
faction?1529
estate1530
race1563
calibre1567
being1579
coat1579
rang1580
rank1585
tier1590
classis1597
strain1600
consequence1602
regiment1602
sept1610
standinga1616
class1629
species1629
nome1633
quality1636
sort1671
size1679
situation1710
distinction1721
walk of life1733
walk1737
stage1801
strata1805
grade1808
caste1816
social stratum1838
station1842
stratum1863
echelon1950
1585 Queen Elizabeth I in W. B. Scoones Four Cent. Eng. Lett. (1880) 29 It becometh, therefor, all our rencq to deale sincerely.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 347 He was bot of the mid ranck of nobles.
1611 C. Tourneur Atheist's Trag. (new ed.) i. sig. B2 To put me in the habite of my ranque.
1673 W. Cave Primitive Christianity iii. ii. 296 Immediately upon this they unanimously agreed to assist their common enemies, every one lending help according to his rank and quality.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. ii. xvii. 113 Reasonable and well-educated Men of all Ranks.
1791 A. Radcliffe Romance of Forest I. vi. 216 An air of dignity, which declared him to be of superior rank.
1814 J. Austen Mansfield Park II. v. 101 The nonsense and folly of people's stepping out of their rank and trying to appear above themselves. View more context for this quotation
1873 F. M. Müller Sci. Relig. 347 Few men commanded greater respect in all ranks of Greek society.
1915 E. Sapir in Proc. & Trans. Royal Soc. Canada 360 Men of lower rank have by dint of reckless potlatching gained the ascendency over their betters, gradually displacing them in one or more of the privileges belonging to their rank.
1988 T. Woodcock & J. M. Robinson Oxf. Guide to Heraldry vi. 111 Standards are no longer restricted to knights and those of superior rank but may be used by esquires and gentlemen.
2001 C. Kelly Russ. Lit. v. 80 Intellectual life expanded to include a much broader range of social groups, in particular ambitious male provincials from the middle ranks of Russian society.
7.
a. A category of persons, animals, or things in a scale of comparison with others of the same type; frequently with modifying adjective specifying position on such a scale. Hence: relative value, position, or status; place. Cf. front rank n. at front n. Compounds 2, middle rank n., top-rank at top n.1 and adj. Compounds 1b(a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > [noun] > a kind, sort, or class > according to quality
rank1558
class1616
alliance1674
quality1765
grade1807
first (second) chop1823
run1833
1558 J. Knox First Blast against Monstruous Regiment Women f. 10 I except such as God by singular priuiledge..hath exempted from the common ranke of women, and do speake of women as nature and experience do this day declare them.
1593 G. Harvey Pierces Supererogation 13 I cannot ouerslipp some without manifest iniury, that deserue to haue their names enrolled in the first rancke of valiant Confuters.
1639 T. B. tr. J.-P. Camus Certain Moral Relations in S. Du Verger tr. J.-P. Camus Admirable Events 144 A Castle bearing such ranke as few are before it, but divers behind it in magnificence.
1683 W. Cave Ecclesiastici 223 Reducing it unto the rank of a Village, disnominating it, and not suffering it to bear the name of Caesar.
1704 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion III. xi. 159 The Convertine, a Ship of the second Rank, that carried seventy Guns.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth IV. 64 Look through the different ranks of animals, from the largest to the smallest.
1851 J. Ruskin Stones of Venice (1874) I. Pref. 8 To place in its true rank the general Gothic of the 13th century, in Italy.
1882 Cent. Mag. Jan. 468/2 The vulgar and sweeping piracy of the lowest rank of book-venders partially shifted the interest of the reputable houses to the right side of the scale.
1946 Liberty 15 June 88/2 All fifteen of these chief surgeons are in the top rank of their profession.
2001 Wired Apr. 118/1 Pluto is..a remnant so runty that some scientists believe it should be stripped of its planethood and demoted to the rank of ‘object’ or ‘trans-Neptunian body’.
b. Biology. The level occupied by a category in a taxonomic hierarchy, relative to more and less inclusive categories.
ΚΠ
1763 J. Hill Veg. Syst. V. 54 If its Seeds sown in distant ground produce it..I shall begin to judge it a species from the creation, a Plant before unknown. In that case, it will deserve the place it holds here; and the rank of a new Genus must belong to it.
1852 W. H. Harvey Nereis Boreali-Americana i. 22 in Smithsonian Contrib. Knowl. 3 It is difficult to discover the affinity of these distorted forms; and such specimens have occasionally been unduly elevated to the rank of species.
1865 Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. 13 239 [Authors] agree in dividing the Myriapoda into..Chilopoda and Chilognatha, calling them orders or suborders, according as they assign to the Myriapoda the rank of class or order in the zoological scale.
1899 G. H. Carpenter Insects iii. 155 Others, allowing them family rank, would group them together with the Nymphalidæ and other allied families into a super-family.
1916 M. A. Carleton Small Grains 44 This group of wheats cannot properly be given even the rank of a subspecies botanically.
1950 Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 77 254 For taxa above the rank of order no recommendations are made save that the names be ‘words of Greek or Latin origin in the plural number’.
2001 G. C. McGavin Essent. Entomol. 15 Sister groups of the same taxonomic rank resulting from the splitting of an ancestral lineage.
c. Cards. The value (denoted by a number or the denomination ace, king, queen, or jack) of a playing card; this value as an indicator of a card's worth under the rules of a particular game. Cf. value n. 5b.
ΚΠ
1764 tr. M. Mons New Treat. Real Quadrille 99 The whole suit of hearts remain except the 6, and the cards have the same rank as at quadrille.
?1770 tr. Abbé Bellecour Acad. Play (new ed.) 176 The Tricon is three Tens, three Nines, three Fours; or any other three Cards of the same rank.
1857 T. Wright Dict. Obs. & Provinc. Eng. 689/2 Murnival, four cards of the same rank.
1934 Amer. Speech 9 11 The opening lead of an Ace followed by the lead, in the order of their rank, of the next lower cards in the same suit.
1981 G. Brandreth Everyman's Indoor Games 99 If the first player follows with a third card of the rank he scores 6 for a ‘pair royal’.
2005 Chicago Sun-Times (Nexis) 28 Jan. (Weekend section) 23 The four 2s (deuces) in the deck are not just wild; they're savage and can be substituted for any other card, for any rank, in any suit.
d. Statistics. Position in a numerically ordered series; the number specifying the position. Cf. rank v.3 3c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [noun] > groups or arrangements of data > relating to rank or order
rank1883
nearest neighbour1884
rank difference1904
rank correlation1907
1883 F. Galton Inq. Human Faculty 53 We are often called upon to define the position of an individual in his own series... In reckoning this, a confusion ought to be avoided between ‘graduation’ and ‘rank’, though it leads to no sensible error in practice.
1904 Amer. Jrnl. Psychol. 15 81 Rank has..the useful property of allowing any two series to be easily and fairly combined into a third composite one.
1943 M. G. Kendall Advancem. Theory Statistics xvi. 390 The ranks are ordinal numbers and cannot without justification be operated on by the laws of cardinal arithmetic.
2007 W. Mendenhall & T. Sincich Statistics, Engin. & Sci. (ed. 5) xv. 785 The ranks of y and x, the differences between the ranks, and the squared differences for each of the 15 employees are also shown.
e. Linguistics. Esp. in systemic grammar: the position of a unit in a grammatical or phonological hierarchy.
ΚΠ
1954 Language 30 8 The arrows indicate valence and relative rank (‘presupposition’)... Thus a formula such as nounadjective is to be read ‘adjective presupposes noun’.
1961 M. A. K. Halliday in Word 17 251 The units of grammar form a hierarchy... The relation among the units, then, is that..each ‘consists of’ one, or of more than one, of the unit next below... The scale on which the units are in fact ranged..may be called ‘rank’.
1965 J. C. Catford Ling. Theory Transl. i. 6 The units of grammar or of phonology operate in hierarchies—‘larger’ or more inclusive units being made up of ‘smaller’ or less inclusive units. They form a scale of units at different ranks.
1997 W. B. McGregor Semiotic Gram. iii. 83 Units of a given rank will consist of syntagmatically related units of lower ranks, together with, possibly, a single unit of the same rank.
8. Any of a number of rows or lines of things placed at different heights; a level, tier. Now rare.figurative in quot. 1573.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > a layer > [noun] > horizontal layer or tier
chessc1460
loft1535
tier1569
rank1573
storey1594
degree1611
1573 R. Lever Arte of Reason iii. v. 106 There are three rankes or rewes of seates, where all reasons framed by rule are couched.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 179v It is yenough to haue three rankes of them, one aboue the other.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 140 As the ranks ascend Shade above shade, a woodie Theatre. View more context for this quotation
1693 J. Evelyn tr. J. de La Quintinie Compl. Gard'ner i. iii. xix. 178 One single rank or story of roots is enough.
1735 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. IV. 342 Ranks of oars in the modern galleys.
1814 W. Scott Waverley I. ix. 114 The garden..was laid out in terraces, which descended rank by rank from the western wall to a large brook. View more context for this quotation
1889 ‘M. Twain’ Connecticut Yankee vi. 72 On all four sides of the court the seated multitudes rose rank above rank, forming sloping terraces that were rich with color.
1988 F. Welsh Building Trireme i. 28 Quinqueremes did not have five ranks [of oars] but were something altogether other.
9. Mathematics. A characteristic property of a mathematical entity that is represented or denoted by a whole number; spec. the number of linearly independent rows or columns of a matrix, i.e. the number of rows or columns of its largest non-zero minor.In quot. 1877: a row of a determinant.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > [noun] > rank
rank1673
1673 J. Collins Let. Apr. in H. Oldenburg Corr. (1973) IX. 549 It is farr more generall and easy to doe..by fitting an aequation to the ranke proposed, than by ayd of tables of figurated numbers.
1835 Rep. Brit. Assoc. Advancem. Sci. 1834 528 i in the denominator..names, according to the author's nomenclature, the ‘order’ of the logarithm, and ì, in the numerator, its ‘rank’ in that order.
1877 Analyst 4 180 Divide each element of the first rank by r1, each element of the second rank by r2, &c., and the Determinant becomes [etc.].
1897 H. F. Baker Abel's Theorem & Allied Theory 674 If all the determinants of (l + 1) rows and columns formed from this matrix are zero, but not all the determinants of l rows and columns, the matrix is said to be of rank l.
1965 J. J. Rotman Theory of Groups xi. 241 If F is a free group, the rank of F, r(F), is the number of elements in a free set of generators.
1972 R. J. Wilson Introd. Graph Theory viii. 121 The rank ρ(A) of a subset A of E is defined as the number of elements in the largest partial transversal of  contained in A.
2004 R. E. Schumacker & R. G. Lomax Beginner's Guide to Struct. Equation Modeling (ed. 2) ii. 34 The factor loading matrices must be full rank and have no rows with zeros in them to be able to compute structure coefficients.
10. Geology. More fully coal rank.The degree of metamorphic maturity, carbon content, and hardness of coal.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > types of mineral > hydrocarbon minerals > [noun] > coal > degree of hardness
rank1914
1914 Bull. U.S. Bureau of Mines No. 38. 4 The higher rank (‘grade’) of coal differs from the respective lower rank of the same genetic type by the effects of the greater metamorphism and devolatilization to which the higher rank of coal has been subjected.
1948 Mem. Geol. Soc. Amer. 30 55 Metamorphic rank and grade are synonymous terms denoting the stage of metamorphism reached.
1964 R. Moyer Competition in Midwestern Coal Industry ii. 10 As a general rule, coal rank decreases progressively as one moves from east to west.
1991 R. Goldring Fossils in Field iv. 68 Very bright, splintery coal is likely to be of high rank.
2011 Fuel 90 3476/1 Everything else being equal, the lower the coal rank, the greater the catalytic activity in methane cracking.

Phrases

P1.
a. on a rank.
(a) Consecutively, in succession (cf. in a row at row n.1 Phrases 1d). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrangement in (a) row(s) or line(s > in (a) row(s) or line(s [phrase]
on (also in) a rew?c1225
on row?a1300
in a rowc1330
on (also upon) a rowa1350
in rowc1450
in (also on, upon) rowsa1500
in coursec1540
on a rank?1575
of a rank1581
?1575 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara Familiar Epist. (new ed.) 372 Hee went to fast..fortie dayes & fortie nights on a ranke.
(b) Abreast. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > state or position of being parallel > parallel with the side [phrase] > abreast
breasta1450
on a rank1588
cheek to cheek1731
1588 R. Parke tr. J. G. de Mendoza Hist. Kingdome of China 182 The hie wayes are verie brode, that twentie men may ride together on a ranke and one not hinder an other.
1600 M. Drayton in Englands Helicon sig. D4 Range all thy Swannes faire Thames together on a ranke.
1648 T. Gage Eng.-Amer. x. 29 Cortez setting all fear aside, with three hundred Souldiers on a ranke, entred the way in the wall.
b. of a rank: in a line or file. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrangement in (a) row(s) or line(s > in (a) row(s) or line(s [phrase]
on (also in) a rew?c1225
on row?a1300
in a rowc1330
on (also upon) a rowa1350
in rowc1450
in (also on, upon) rowsa1500
in coursec1540
on a rank?1575
of a rank1581
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. iii. f. 38v All the women in the towne runne thyther of a ranke, as it were in procession.
c. in rank: abreast. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > formation > [adverb]
in rank1581
in file1598
in rank and file1598
1581 W. Averell Life & Death Charles & Iulia sig. Hvi This holy route, by two in ranke, dyd orderly passe by.
1615 W. Goddard Neaste of Waspes sig. Biij Come Wiseman then; come marcht in rank with mee.
1711 Fingall MSS in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 167 The entrance is too narrow, as not capable of above four men in ranck.
1779 Farmer's Mag. iii. 191 Two horses in rank move quicker..than three in file.
P2.
a. to keep rank: to stay in line or order; (figurative) to maintain solidarity, to conform.
ΚΠ
1597 T. Beard Theatre Gods Iudgements i. xxxv. 195 This is the day when dicing, dancing, whoring, and such noisome and dishonest demeanours, muster their bands and keep ranke togither.
1611 Bible (King James) 1 Chron. xii. 33 Fifty thousand, which could keep rank . View more context for this quotation
1652 S. Rutherford Tryal & Triumph of Faith xxi. 322 The carnall minde neither will, nor can keep rank as an obedient souldier.
1735 L. Theobald Fatal Secret iv. i. 33 My Life keeps Rank with yours.
1861 E. Atherstone Israel in Egypt xviii. 304 Keep rank no longer: fly as best ye may.
1880 R. Browning Echetlos ii No man but..kept rank and fought away In his tribe and file.
1900 K. L. Bates Spanish Highways & Byways i. 7 The entire line, keeping rank, curves and twists behind the leader.
1972 Times 24 May 16/2 Even the Unionist MP's at Westminster cannot keep rank.
1995 D. McLintock tr. C. Meier Caesar xi. 281 The fighting was fierce; they could not stand firm or keep rank.
b. to break rank (also) ranks: to move out of line or order; (figurative) to fail to maintain solidarity or to conform.
ΚΠ
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 318 The horssemen had broken ranke and were assunder.
1706 Perswasive to Union ii. 37 Such is the Unruliness and disorder of Mans nature, that many for all this, break rank, and will not obey the word of Command.
1854 J. Smith Old Redstone 268 You may convince each individual of his error; but he will not and he dare not break ranks. He is afraid of his neighbor.
1871 Harper's Mag. July 257/1 An orchard near by..tempted some of the thirstier ones, who broke ranks and rushed for the fruit.
a1918 W. Owen Strange Meeting in Coll. Poems (1920) 2 None will break ranks, though nations trek from progress.
1969 Hist. Jrnl. 12 38 Whether this undermined the Tories' feeling of dependence on Peel, in 1844, for the first time, on two occasions they broke rank in the House of Commons.
1990 Field Feb. 45/4 Hounds have broken rank. They see the Master..approaching and surge towards him.
c. to rise from the ranks: (of a private or non-commissioned officer) to receive a commission, to become a commissioned officer; (in extended use) to advance through one's own efforts to a high position in a hierarchy from a relatively low level. Cf. sense 3e.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > be ranked socially [verb (intransitive)] > climb socially
climba1240
risec1390
ascend1751
to rise from the ranks1798
social climb1929
society > armed hostility > military organization > enlistment or recruitment > appointment to rank > be appointed to rank [verb (intransitive)] > rise from ranks
to rise from the ranks1798
1798 H. Brand Conflict v. iv, in Plays & Poems 231 In five years a peasant youth Rose from the Ranks, distinguished by his Sword, To be..what now I am.
1853 J. Ruskin Let. 6 Nov. in M. Lutyens Millais & Ruskins (1967) 106 Mr. Beveridge [has]..been effecting singular cures..and rose from the ranks—as Jephson did.
1895 Harper's Mag. Sept. 530/1 He did permit privates to rise from the ranks and become officers, but only for the duration of the war.
1936 B. Kellermann Tunnel ii. iii. 84 There was no doubt about the fact that Woolf had risen from the ranks.
1977 Times 2 June 15/7 St. George..is acclaimed as a soldier who rose from the ranks to become a tribune.
2002 Guardian 6 July i. 18/5 Directors tend to rise from the ranks of cinematographers and other technical crafts.

Compounds

C1. General attributive.
a. (In sense 3.)
rank-fellow n. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1591 W. Garrard & R. Hitchcock Arte of Warre 84 Keeping his ranck-fellowes justlie on both sides.
b. (In sense 6.) Also objective.
rank badge n.
ΚΠ
1888 Newark (Ohio) Daily Advocate 5 Jan. The retiring officers of the W. R. C. were also presented with rank badges.
1946 Times 11 Sept. 8/4 The king has approved the designs for the new rank badges which will be worn by aircrew of the Royal Air Force below officer rank.
1995 Metrop. Mus. Art Bull. 53 74/3 One boy's red robe is typical of Mongol-ruled Yuan dynasty costumes and may have served as a precursor to the rank badges officially adopted during the native Ming dynasty.
rank class n.
ΚΠ
1915 Harvard Stud. Class. Philol. 26 137 The institution of these different rank classes was due to the great development of officialdom in the Empire and the consequent necessity of establishing a definite order of precedence among the officials in the imperial service.
2002 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 99 11253/2 Investigators divided females into high- and low-ranking categories and provided aggregate progeny sex-ratio values for the two rank classes.
rank distinction n.
ΚΠ
1895 A. J. Butler tr. F. Ratzel Hist. Mankind i. 54 When the two halves of the race..show no recognition of rank-distinctions.
1969 Bennington (Vermont) Banner 20 Sept. 5 ‘There's no rank distinction here,’ he explained.
1996 C. Humphrey & U. Onon Shamans & Elders iv. 169 The rank distinction between older and younger is as salient here as the difference between sexes.
rank holder n.
ΚΠ
1925 P. C. Hsieh Govt. of China v. 108 The same contribution from a rank holder would entitle him to a corresponding promotion.
2002 Sunday Times of India 22 Sept. 11/4 (advt.) Eligibility : JEE/AIEEE rank holders or min. 45% marks in PCM in a single seat at 10+2 level.
rank mark n.
ΚΠ
1874 J. Napier Manuf. Arts in Anc. Times 288 As wealth always imitates the symbol of rank, an exclusive right to certain rank marks and colours might come to be enforced by kings.
1928 C. F. S. Gamble Story N. Sea Air Station iv. 76 They were entitled to wear the ‘curl’ on their gold lace rank-marks.
2004 D. P. Lafayette Peril in West 42 They stared at each ribbon and rank mark before discarding it. They ripped offstripes and even brass buttons on uniforms.
rank tab n.
ΚΠ
1974 ‘G. Black’ Golden Cockatrice xii. 212 Janey, in her neat uniform without rank tabs.
2006 Army Times (Nexis) 19 June 60 The Army should produce rank tabs for noncommissioned officer and officer leaders that have a bright hunter green background.
rank-worshipping adj.
ΚΠ
1855 U.S. Rev. Nov. 388 Useless aristocracies, truckling, rank-worshipping, gold-adoring middle classes, and an impoverished people have been their punishment.
1904 J. Douglas T. Watts-Dunton 385 Grubbing, rank-worshipping British slave of convention claims to be the absolute humourist!
c. (In sense 7e.) Also instrumental and objective.
rank-based adj.
ΚΠ
1966 G. N. Leech Eng. in Advertising ii. 11 A rank-based description avoids these confusions, because of the insistence that each sentence should be fully described at all ranks.
2003 C. S. Butler Structure & Function vi. 229 (note) They do not investigate in any detail the implications of such expressions for a rank-based model of grammar such as Halliday's.
rank-bound adj.
ΚΠ
1965 J. C. Catford Ling. Theory Transl. ii. 25 The cruder attempts at Machine Translation are rank-bound in this sense..; that is, they set up word-to-word or morpheme-to-morpheme equivalences, but not equivalences between high-rank units such as the group, clause or sentence.
1965 J. C. Catford Ling. Theory Transl. viii. 143 We use the term ‘rank-bound’ translation only to refer to those special cases where equivalence is deliberately limited to ranks below the sentence.
2000 Italica 77 564 The final chapter of part one..addresses the important question of translation typology, namely, complete, partial, total..rank-bound, and non-rank-bound.
rank scale n.
ΚΠ
1961 M. A. K. Halliday in Word 17 270 The theory itself imbodies 'shunting' (moving up and down the rank scale) as crucial to the interrelation of the categories.
1992 W. Bright Internat. Encycl. Ling. iv. 330/1 A given unit is shifted down the rank scale so that it operates within the structure of a lower unit (e.g. a clause operating within a group, as a relative clause).
rank unit n.
ΚΠ
1969 A. R. Meetham Encycl. Linguistics, Information & Control 202/2 If we chose to treat the predicate as a rank-unit here composed of verb phrase plus adverb phrase, then..the phrase very cheerfully is dependent.
2004 K. Teruya in A. Caffarel et al. Lang. Typol. iv. 188 Circumstantial status may also be realized by another rank unit, ie postpositional phrases.
C2.
rank-breaking adj. that moves out of line or order; (figurative) that fails to maintain solidarity or to conform.
ΚΠ
1768 A. Dow tr. M. Firishtah Hist. Hindostan I. ii. xix. 154 If you have determined to force your evil destiny, we have sworn by our Gods to advance upon you with our rank-breaking elephants.
1887 R. Brown Trilogy 76 Rank-breaking Achilles.
1946 Winnipeg Free Press 5 Apr. 4/7 The two rank-breaking Liberals..moved adjournment of the debate on the grounds the bill was being rushed through the House.
2002 Representations Winter 72 A fine what-the-hell, rank-breaking, icon-busting quality sweeps through this polemic, every word of which carries conviction.
rank-closing n. figurative the act of uniting and displaying solidarity in the defence of a common interest (cf. to close ranks at close v. 10b).
ΚΠ
1956 Post-Standard (Syracuse, N.Y.) 18 Aug. 2/5 Elsewhere around the convention fringes, gestures of good-will rank-closing were the order of the day.
2002 Amer. Prospect 17 June 14 Corporate rank-closing on issues of directorship is unfortunately the norm.
rank correlation n. Statistics the correlation between two ways of assigning ranks to the members of a set.The use of such a correlation was suggested by C. Spearman 1904, in Amer. Jrnl. Psychol. 15 72–101.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [noun] > groups or arrangements of data > relating to rank or order
rank1883
nearest neighbour1884
rank difference1904
rank correlation1907
1907 Drapers' Company Res. Mem. (Biometric Ser.) 4 3 Dr. Spearman has suggested that rank in a series should be the character correlated, but he has not taken this rank correlation as merely the stepping stone..to reach the true correlation.
1943 M. G. Kendall Adv. Theory Statistics xvi. 391 A second coefficient of rank correlation which has certain advantages may be obtained as follows.
2001 Ann. Bot. 88 1031/1 Non-normality in the distribution of species means required the use of rank correlations.
rank difference n. Statistics the difference between two ranks assigned to the same thing; frequently attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [noun] > groups or arrangements of data > relating to rank or order
rank1883
nearest neighbour1884
rank difference1904
rank correlation1907
1904 Amer. Jrnl. Psychol. 15 86 If rank had been employed in conjunction with the method of ‘product moments’ or that of ‘rank differences’, the required smallness of probable error could have been obtained by as few as 36 cases.
1940 R. S. Woodworth Psychol. (ed. 12) iii. 89 ‘Rho’ is a measure of correlation, known as the rank-difference measure.
1972 J. Kagan & E. Havemann Psychol. xiii. 485 In some cases it is convenient to use the rank-difference method, which produces a different coefficient of correlation.
1997 Proc. Royal Soc. B. 264 743/2 We then apply Mann–Whitney U-tests to ask whether the two sets of rank differences are different.
rank-toothed adj. Obsolete rare serrated.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > leaf > [adjective] > having particular shape
creviced1558
bladed1578
curled1578
purled1578
rank-toothed1578
fingered1597
cultellated1657
pounced1681
reduced1682
cuspidate1693
frontated1719
cuspidated1731–7
subrotund1753
acerose1760
hastate1760
involute1760
oblique1760
acerousc1789
strap-spear-shaped1796
immarginate1800
submarginate1807
replicate1812
toothleted1812
angustate1826
palaceous1832
bicrenate1835
basisolute1847
replicative1852
frontate1855
hastile1857
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball iii. xlvi. 381 Each leafe is ranke toothed or snipt round about.
rank-work n. Joinery Obsolete = range work n. (a) at range n.1 and adv. Compounds 2.
ΚΠ
1694 Moxon's Mech. Exercises (ed. 2) 112 The side that falls away from the Foreside of any Straight or Rank-work [1678 Range-work], is called the Return.

Derivatives

rank-wise adv.
ΚΠ
1616 J. Bingham in tr. Ælian Tactiks xxviii. 133 The rest follow ranke-wise keeping their distance.
1677 R. Cary Palæologia Chronica ii. i. i. xx. 154 Several were in posture of time standing abreast, or rank-wise.
1964 Jrnl. Econ. & Social Hist. of Orient 7 49 The species belonging to this class were the highest rank-wise.
1998 J. Moore Diary 23 Oct. in J. Kantor et al. Slate Diaries (2000) 284 Rankwise, I am now some where around a colonel.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

rankn.2

Forms: Middle English ronk.
Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: rank adj.
Etymology: < rank adj.
Obsolete. rare.
Pride.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > [noun] > capacity for moral effort or endurance
thildc950
strengthOE
dureec1330
rankc1400
tolerance1412
adamant1445
toleration1531
validity1578
durance1579
bent1604
strongness1650
duress1651
strength1667
durableness1740
stamina1803
willpower1842
backbone1843
thewness1860
sand1867
upbearing1885
wiriness1892
gut1893
sisu1926
c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 298 (MED) Euer walteres þis whal bi wyldren depe, Þurȝ mony a regioun ful roȝe, þurȝ ronk of his wylle.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online December 2020).

rankn.3

Origin: Of unknown origin.
Etymology: Origin unknown. Perhaps compare early modern German rank sickness of the throat, especially in pigs (see rangen n.).
Obsolete. rare.
A disease of birds (not identified).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of birds > [noun] > other disorders of birds
pipa1425
gout1486
rank1709
cholera1834
diphtheria1863
fowl pox1908
myelocytomatosis1933
ornithosis1939
puffinosis1948
angel wing1967
1709 Brit. Apollo 12–14 Jan. It is well known also to all that deal in Birds, that many dye of the Pip, the Rank, &c. tho' every way provided for with the greatest care.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online June 2021).

rankadj.adv.

Brit. /raŋk/, U.S. /ræŋk/
Forms: Old English rancc, Old English–Middle English ranc, Old English–Middle English rang, early Middle English rannc ( Ormulum), Middle English rang, Middle English raunke, Middle English rong, Middle English ronke, Middle English–1500s ronk, Middle English–1600s rancke, Middle English–1600s ranke, Middle English– rank, 1500s–1700s ranck, 1600s rawnke, 1600s wrancke; English regional 1800s renk (Yorkshire), 1800s– raink (Wiltshire), 1800s– ronk, 1800s– runk (Derbyshire), 1900s– raank (Yorkshire); Scottish pre-1700 rang, pre-1700 ranke, pre-1700 1700s– rank.
Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.
Etymology: Cognate with Middle Dutch ranc thin, slender, lank (Dutch rank ), Middle Low German rank slim, slender, (of a ship) heeling, listing ( > German rank slim, slender (17th cent.)), Old Icelandic rakkr straight, slender, upright, courageous, bold, Swedish rank tall and slender, unsteady, Old Danish, Danish rank erect, upright, slender, proud, fearless, independent, (of a ship) inclined to heel, list, or capsize; probably ultimately < a variant (with nasal infix) of the Indo-European base of right adj. An ablaut variant of the same base is probably shown by rink n.1The original sense was apparently ‘upright’, but the word shows a number of distinctive sense developments in English which set it apart from its cognates in the other Germanic languages, although some of the uses in branch A. I. have similarities with the metaphorical uses in the North Germanic languages. Earlier currency of sense A. 3a is perhaps implied by Old English rancstrǣt , perhaps lit. ‘splendid street’, i.e. ‘highway, main road’ (one isolated attestation):OE Genesis A (1931) 2112 And [God] þe wæpnum læt rancstræte forð rume wyrcan.However, the meaning of this word is uncertain and disputed; for a discussion of alternative suggestions (including emendations) see A. N. Doane Genesis A (1978) 301. With sense A. 3a compare also earlier rankly adv.
A. adj.
I. Strong, vigorous.
1.
a. Having a high opinion of one's own worth or importance; proud, haughty; insolent, arrogant; (also) headstrong, rebellious. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > [adjective]
highOE
rankOE
proudOE
quaint?c1225
stoutc1315
proud-heartedc1400
gobbedc1440
pridyc1485
high-minded?1503
superb1561
proud-heart1591
tiptoe1593
sublime1596
high-headed1599
magnificent1603
side1673
vaunty1724
perked-up1754
spicy1768
jelly1828
Latin1914
the mind > emotion > pride > arrogance > [adjective]
wlonkOE
moodyOE
rankOE
surquidous1377
insolentc1386
wantona1393
arrogantc1405
angardc1425
surquidrousc1430
stately1448
imperiala1456
superbious1509
succudrous1513
surquidant1528
ruffling1543
controlling1564
lustya1568
cocking1568
superbous1581
bog1592
swaggering1596
superarrogant1598
arrogating1601
pyrgopolinizing1605
high-handed1606
outbearing1607
high-horsed1613
dictatory1639
bardish1641
self-assuming1647
superbient1647
huffy1680
dictatorial1692
huffish1755
cobby1785
high-riding1831
braggadocious1853
snouty1858
you-be-damned1887
society > authority > lack of subjection > [adjective] > intractable or recalcitrant > and haughty
rankOE
standfra?a1500
haunty1657
OE Old Eng. Hexateuch: Deut. (Claud.) xxi. 18 Gyf ænig man hæbbe modigne sunu & rancne [L. protervum], ðe nelle hyran his fæder & his meder.
OE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Tiber. B.i) anno 1006 Þær mihton geseon Wincesterleode rancne here & unearhne, ða hi be hiora gate to sæ eodon.
OE Wulfstan Last Days (Hatton) 135 To manege weorðaþ to wlance & ealles to rance & to gylpgeorne.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 9622 Þatt follc..haffde beon till þa Heh follc. & rannc onn eorþe.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 2561 (MED) Yif þat ani were so rang [rhyme þank] That he þanne ne come anon..he sholde maken him þral.
c1330 in T. Wright Polit. Songs Eng. (1839) 341 (MED) So were theih daungerouse for wlaunke And siththen bicom ful reulich, that thanne weren so ranke.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) 455 (MED) Þat watz þe raven so ronk, þat rebel watz ever.
a1425 in S. Wenzel Verses in Serm.: Fasciculus Morum (1978) 145 (MED) Þat body þat was so ronk and loud, Of alle men is i-hated.
a1450 York Plays (1885) 220 (MED) Þer is a ranke swayne Whos rule is noȝt right.
1568 A. Scott Poems (1896) i. 188 This ȝeir..sall aryse Rowtis of þe rankest þat in Europ ringis.
1616 T. Adams Dis. Soule 40 He is a most ranke Churle, for he drinkes often, and yet would haue no man pledge him.
1692 ‘J. Curate’ Sc. Presbyterian Eloquence ii. 75 Whether he who calls himself a Sober Presbyterian..be not indeed as black and foul-mouth'd, as the most rank and rigid Cameronian among them all.
b. Showy, ostentatious. Obsolete.Only in Old English.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > [adjective]
rankOE
peacockly?a1425
ruffling1531
garish1545
peacockish1551
peacock-like1576
ostentatious1590
fastuous?1591
flaring1593
flantitanting1596
ostentive1599
ostentative1601
showful1607
flourishable1614
flourishing1616
flaunting1624
ostentous1624
ostentatory1638
swasha1640
fanfaron1670
paradeful1748
ostensible1782
epideictic1790
fandangous1797
flashy1801
affiché1818
show-off1818
splashing1820
flaunty1825
splash-and-dash1830
pretentious1832
flash1836
splashy1836
pretenceful1841
swanky1842
peacocky1844
fantysheeny1847
splurgy1852
cheesy1858
pretensivea1868
duchessy1870
swagger1879
lavish1882
splurging1884
show-offy1890
razzmatazz1900
show-offish1903
whoop-de-do1904
Ritz1908
split-arse1917
swanking1918
ritzy1919
fantoosh1920
knock-me-down1922
showboating1936
showboat1939
hellzapoppin'1945
zazzy1961
glitzy1966
sploshy1966
zhuzhy1968
noncy1989
bling1999
OE Ælfric 1st Let. to Wulfstan (Corpus Cambr. 201) in B. Fehr Die Hirtenbriefe Ælfrics (1914) 134 Witað eac þæt ne mot mid rihte nan preost beon..to modig, ne to gilpende, ne on his girlum to ranc, ne mid golde oferglæncged.
OE Ælfric Let. to Wulfsige (Corpus Cambr.) in B. Fehr Die Hirtenbriefe Ælfrics (1914) 26 Ne ge ne sceolon beon rancce, mid hringgum geglengede.
2. Having great speed or force; swift, driving, violent; (of a person) eager, impetuous. Occasionally with of. Obsolete except as retained in rank rider n. at Compounds 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > [adjective] > rapidly or suddenly
ranka1250
headya1425
impetuous1490
powdering1619
wanton1753
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > [adjective] > moving with impetuous speed or headlong
ranka1250
whirling1382
hurlingc1400
whithering1513
headling?1518
vehement1528
heady1562
headlongc1565
precipitant1649
precipitate1654
torrent1667
precipitous1681
tearing1765
torrentuous1840
whirlwind1865
torrential1877
Gadarene1895
rocketing1952
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > [adjective] > abounding in or having abundance
fulleOE
ranka1250
broada1300
rifec1325
copiousa1387
wealthful ofa1400
plaina1450
heavy-ladenc1450
fluenta1592
onust1604
heavy1622
onusted1657
opulent1685
aflooda1729
rowtha1774
acrawl1830
lousy1843
awash1912
a1250 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Titus) (1963) 92 Hit bringes to nawt alle þe deueles wiles, nawt ane his strengðes & his ronke [c1230 Corpus Cambr. stronge] turnes, ah dos al swa his wilfule crokes.
a1300 in R. Morris Old Eng. Misc. (1872) 92 (MED) Ne geyneþ vs no grene..Ne þe ronke racches þat ruskit þe ron.
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl 1167 Of raas þaȝ I were rasch and ronk, Ȝet rapely þerinne I watz restayed.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 10435 No help comes, Ne no rynk hym to rescow, but his ronk fos.
1565 J. Jewel Replie Hardinges Answeare xii. 457 M. Hardinge findeth him so farre, and so ranke of his side, that he is faine to checke him of to much riot, and to cal him backe.
1575 J. Rolland Treat. Court Venus iv. f. 64 The rank riding, and the greit turnament.
1635 F. Quarles Emblemes v. ix. 278 The Hawlk..Makes a rank Bate from her forsaken Block.
1675 W. Cave Apparatus i. p. iv, in Bp. J. Taylor & W. Cave Antiquitates Christianæ Eating blood naturally begets a savage temper, makes the spirits rank and fiery.
?1735 ‘H. Stanhope’ Fortunate & Unfortunate Lovers i. 41 At last a Rank Storm ensued.
1770 R. Cumberland Brothers i. i. 1 It blows a rank storm.
a1803 May Collin iv, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1892) IV. viii. 442/1 They came to a rank river, Was raging like the sea.
1827 J. Barrington Personal Sketches Own Times I. 248 May he have a dark night—a lee shore—a rank storm.
3.
a. Strong, tough, sturdy; (of a person) brave, stout-hearted; (of a thing) †impressive, splendid (obsolete). Now English regional.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > [adjective] > robust
strongeOE
hardOE
stalworthc1175
starka1250
stiff1297
steel to the (very) backa1300
stalworthyc1300
wightc1300
stable13..
valiant1303
stithc1325
toughc1330
wrast1338
stoura1350
sadc1384
wighty14..
derfc1440
substantialc1460
well-jointed1483
felon1487
robust1490
stalwart1508
stoutya1529
robustous?1531
rankc1540
hardy1548
robustious1548
stout1576
rustical1583
rustic1620
iron1638
robustic1652
swankinga1704
strapping1707
rugged1731
solid1741
vaudy1793
flaithulach1829
ironbark1833
swankie1838
tough as (old) boots or leather1843
skookum1847
hard (also tough, sharp) as nails1862
hard-assed1954
nails1974
the world > animals > birds > parts of or bird defined by > [adjective] > having wings > of particular type
rank1656
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 13263 Was no helm with stele so rank þat his suerd ne þorgh it sank.
c1440 (?a1400) Morte Arthure 1764 (MED) All þe rowte ryngez Of ryues and raunke stele and ryche golde-maylez.
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. bviv Ryngis of rank steill rattillit and rent.
c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. v. vi. f. 58 Certane wycht and rank men tuke hym be the myddill.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 188v Þai token..Relikes full Rife and miche ranke godes.
1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini Ragguagli di Parnasso ii. lxxvi. 355 That Pigeon, which..hath the rankest wing.
1710 True Acct. Last Distemper T. Whigg ii. 38 Ravens, cutting the Air at every Stroke of their rank Wing.
1824 R. Gilchrist Local Songs (ed. 2) 5 Archy lang was hale an' rank, the King o' laddies braw.
1874 C. Rogers Reformers 103 That rank rover Robene Hude.
1900 J. Good Lincs. Gloss. Rank, coarse, strong.
b. U.S. Of a grip: firm, tight. Apparently only in to take rank hold.
ΚΠ
1822 N. Amer. Rev. July 206 The practice of bundling (which has taken such rank hold of the susceptible minds of the English tourists in America).
1848 Webster's Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Rank, strong, clinching. Take rank hold.
1860 S. E. Todd Young Farmer's Man. 427 At every revolution [of a circular saw] one side will sometimes take such a rank hold as to produce a jar.
1921 Robesonian (Lumberton, N. Carolina) 27 Oct. 2/3 Measures to prevent the infliction of the death penalty have certainly taken rank hold in North Carolina.
1970 Denton (Texas) Record-Chron. 23 Apr. 11/1 They..feel the desire to take a rank hold on life through hunting.
4. North American. Of a horse or bull: difficult to ride or control; unmanageable.
ΚΠ
1951 Sun (Baltimore) 24 May 20/2 [The horse named] Alarmed was rank.
1977 News Jrnl. (Mansfield, Ohio) 17 July 3 f That's the cowboy's dream, to ride the rankest bull, or the rankest horse, the one nobody else can ride.
2005 J. Bailey Against Odds viii. 120 I predicted he would run like a rank horse who could not be controlled—and that's exactly what happened.
II. Full or large in size, quantity, etc.
5. Fully grown, adult; (sexually) mature. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > source or principle of life > age > maturity > [adjective]
oldlyOE
rankOE
ripedOE
thowenc1200
waxena1325
ripea1393
thrivena1400
provect1531
big1552
mellowed1575
adulted1645
full agea1658
adult1742
ripeful?1836
unyouthful1859
untender1879
maturish1885
OE Ælfric Lives of Saints (Julius) (1900) II. 380 He funde..fif mædena him to, wlitige and rance, to wunigenne mid him.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) 869 (MED) Hit arn ronk, hit arn rype, and redy to manne.
c1540 J. Bellenden in tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. sig. Djv Al rank madynnis and wyffis (gif thay war nocht with child) ȝeid als weill to battall, as the men.
c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. (1821) II. 189 To bring all rank men [L. integris corporibus..puberes adulescentes virosque]..presoneris to him.
6. Chiefly of vegetation: vigorous or luxuriant in growth. In later use usually in negative sense: growing too luxuriantly or rampantly; thick and coarse. Also in figurative contexts. Frequently with some connotation of sense A. 17; cf. also sense A. 13.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by good growth > [adjective] > flourishing or luxuriant in growth
greeneOE
frimOE
ranka1325
wlonk1398
flourishingc1400
rankish1495
frank?1548
gole1573
abled1576
wanton1579
proud1597
unseared1599
unwithered1599
ramping1607
lusha1616
fulsome1633
luxurious1644
rampant1648
luxuriant1661
lascivious1698
pert1727
unnipped1775
verdurous1820
happy1875
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > [adjective] > profuse, luxurious, or lush
ranka1325
exuberanta1513
profuse1542
lavish1576
profused1608
redundant1621
luxuriant1625
luxurious1644
lush1851
the world > life > biology > biological processes > development, growth, or degeneration > [adjective] > growth > vigorous in growth
ranka1325
well-grownc1405
well-shooted1633
luxurious1644
luxuriant1661
the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by good growth > [adjective] > excessive in growth or too vigorous
rank1526
rowty1577
gross1578
over-rank1607
rowetya1722
prurient1822
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > largeness > [adjective] > of large volume or bulky > and coarse
rank1526
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2105 .vii. eares wexen fette of coren On an busk, ranc and wel tidi.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 164 Gras and herbes þat growen in valeyes..ben generaliche more ranke & fatte [L. pinguiora].
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) 513 (MED) Blossumez bolne to blowe Bi rawez rych & ronk.
c1475 (c1450) P. Idley Instr. to his Son (Cambr.) (1935) ii. A. 1289 (MED) A secrete place..she knewe, With grete hauthorn busshes, roughe and ranke.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Ovii Our vyne waxeth ranke and must nedes be cutte.
1544 T. Phaer Bk. Children (1553) T iij Take a good handful of ranke & lusty rew.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xviii. 3 Crownd with ranke femiter and furrow weedes. View more context for this quotation
1676 J. Evelyn Philos. Disc. Earth 14 Provided no rank Weeds, or predatitious Plants..be suffered to..exhaust it.
1777 W. Robertson Hist. Amer. iv, in Hist. Wks. (1813) I. 257 The woods are choked with its rank luxuriance.
1850 R. Gordon-Cumming Five Years Hunter's Life S. Afr. I. ix. 195 The male lion is adorned with a long, rank, shaggy mane.
1892 Speaker 3 Sept. 290/1 This year the roses grew a little rank, and with an over-abundance of leaves.
1933 Amer. Mercury May 70/1 There was a rank patch of jimpson weeds behind our house.
1953 S. Beckett Watt iii. 154 Flowers that..never die, or die only after many seasons, strangled by the rank grass.
1998 Eng. Nature Mag. May 10/2 Sheep and horses..create very short lawns among the rank grass.
7.
a. Existing in abundance; copious, profuse. Obsolete (in later use Scottish).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > [adjective]
goodeOE
broadOE
fullOE
large?c1225
rifec1225
fulsomea1325
abundanta1382
plenteousa1382
copiousc1384
plentifula1400
ranka1400
aboundc1425
affluentc1425
aboundable?1440
seedy1440
manyfulc1450
ample1472
olda1500
richa1500
flowing1526
fertilent1535
wallingc1540
copy1546
abounding1560
fat1563
numbrous1566
good, great store1569
round1592
redundant1594
fruitful1604
cornucopian1609
much1609
plenty?a1610
pukka1619
redundant1621
uberant1622
swelling1628
uberous1633
numerousa1635
superfluent1648
full tide1649
lucky1649
redounding1667
numerose1692
bumper1836
prolific1890
proliferous1915
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) 5093 (MED) Yn sum man vnkyndehede ys so rank Þat he ne may cunne no man þank.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Parson's Tale (Ellesmere) (1877) §913 The humours been to ranke and habundaunt in the body of man.
a1450 (?1400) in J. Kail 26 Polit. Poems (1904) 6 (MED) In blossemed buske I bode boote In ryche array, with ryches rank.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 8511 He hade no ruthe of hor remyng, ne þe rank teris.
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. July 211 When folke bene fat, and riches rancke, It is a signe of helth.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. vii. 301 The rank serene or dew of the night..refresheth all kindes of growing things.
1769 J. Brown Dict. Holy Bible I. 374/2 In warm countries where it selddom rains, rank dews do exceedingly refresh and moisten the ground.
1830 J. Grant Kirkcudbright Trad. 46 At mornin' grey when the dews waur rank.
b. Abounding in, full of (a quality, commodity, etc.). Obsolete.
ΚΠ
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 21024 (MED) O reson was nan sa ranc [a1400 Gött. rang; a1400 Trin. Cambr. ronke].
a1450 Late Middle Eng. Treat. on Horses (1978) 101 Ȝif an hors be rancke of blod þen let him blod in his necke.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 9204 Of Rent & of Riches rankir þan I.
1575 R. B. Apius & Virginia sig. Bij I neuer heard one so rancke of rudness.
1652 C. B. Stapylton tr. Herodian Imperiall Hist. iv. 29 Rank of successe he was so puft with pride.
8. Extremely or excessively great or large.
a. Of material things: distended, swollen, fat; overfed. Also in figurative context. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > largeness > [adjective] > excessively large
overgrowna1398
rank?a1400
exorbitant1662
unsizeable1698
overlarge1890
the world > space > extension in space > expansion or enlargement > [adjective] > distending > swelling > swollen
bollen?c1225
bolghena1250
swollenc1325
rank?a1400
forbolned1413
puff1472
voustyc1480
knule?a1513
puffed1536
boldenc1540
tumorous1547
bladder-like1549
hoven1558
forswollen1565
uppuffed1573
bolled1578
engrossed1578
heaved1578
puffy1598
swelleda1616
bloughty1620
inflate1620
tympanous1625
tumid1626
tumoured1635
tumefied1651
bloated1664
pluff1673
inflated1744
balloon-like?1784
bladdery1785
ballooned1820
bepuffeda1849
utriculate1860
pobby1888
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 9585 He wex blak & bolned rank & died.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 322/1 Rammysshe, yll savoured as a man or beest that is to rancke.
1568 Newe Comedie Iacob & Esau ii. iv. sig. D.jv Is that meate for you? nay it would make you to ranke. Nay soft brother mine, I must kepe you more lanke.
1612 T. Dekker If It be not Good sig. C1v Churles..fat their rancke gutts whilest poore wretches pine.
1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion vii. 106 Teame lastly thither com'n with water is so ranke.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 (1623) iv. i. 64 To dyet ranke Mindes, sicke of happinesse.
1696 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) Sow,..a term of Reproach given many times to a fat, lazy, rank, big breasted Woman.
b. Of immaterial things. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > [adjective] > excessive or too great in amount or degree
overmeteeOE
unmeeteOE
unimeteOE
unmethelyOE
over-mickleOE
hoflesc1175
overmucha1300
unskilwisea1340
unskilfulc1370
luxuriousc1374
overseemingc1384
superfluec1384
unreasonablea1387
outrageousc1390
over-greatc1390
overlargec1390
overgrowna1398
unmeasurablea1398
unmoderatea1398
unordinatea1398
immoderate1398
rankc1400
overabundantc1410
excessivea1420
superabundant?a1425
unmeasureda1425
superfluousc1475
nimious?c1500
surfeitc1500
overliberala1535
torc1540
exceeding1548
distemperate1557
over-ranka1568
overswelling1582
accessive1583
overaboundinga1600
overteeming1603
excessful1633
overproportionated1647
superproportioned1652
over-proportioned1662
overproportionate1672
unduea1684
unequal1704
unmerciful1707
hypermetric1854
hypertrophied1879
over the top1980
c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 490 (MED) Is þis ryȝt-wys, þou renk, alle þy ronk noyse, So wroth for a wod-bynde to wax so sone?
c1440 (a1350) Sir Isumbras (Thornton) (1844) 200 (MED) Nowther of tham myghte other stille, Thaire sorowe it was fulle ranke!
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 13902 The ruerde wax ranke of þat rught fare.
1633 T. Heywood Eng. Trav. iii, in Wks. (1874) IV. 44 To stop this clamor ere it grow too wrancke.
c. Of a payment, financial gain, etc.: high or excessive. In later use only in legal contexts, relating to the payment of a modus. Now historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > high price or rate > [adjective]
high1542
strong1599
rank1604
exorbitant1670
extravagant1707
stiff1824
sky-high1829
steep1856
stratospherical1936
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. iv. 13 Nor will it yeeld..A rancker rate, should it be sold in fee.
1660 W. Sprigg Royal & Happy Poverty 35 He commonly doth not see it good for them to riot in the like excess, as he often permits the wicked, least too rank a fortune might cause their hearts to wax fat.
1736 M. Bacon New Abridgm. Law V. 81 A Modus which is too rank, is void.
1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. II. iii. §3. 30 The modus must not be too large, which in law is called a rank modus.
1885 Law Times Rep. 52 536/2 The modus..was rank, that is to say, that is was a pecuniary payment greater than the value of the tithes.
1977 J. Burke Jowitt's Dict. Eng. Law (ed. 2) II. 1195/1 A too large modus was called a ‘rank’ modus, and the Tithe Act, 1832, required evidence of usage for thirty years.
9. In later use English regional (northern).
a. In close array; crowded together; thick, dense. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > an assemblage or collection > [adjective] > densely packed
thickc893
thick-set?a1366
rankc1450
compact1563
thronged1581
thickened?1611
close1654
dense1776
tight1942
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 1319 (MED) Alexander..Ridis euen þurȝe þe route þar rankest þai were.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid iii. ix. 4 Than suddanlie, furth of the woddis ronk, We se a strange man.
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. July 4 A goteheard..Whose straying heard them selfe doth shrowde Emong the bushes rancke.
1621 R. Brathwait Times Curtaine Drawne ii. sig. N1 There's before mine eye A webb, a mist, so rancke, I cannot spie A Thiefe.
1645 S. Rutherford Tryal & Triumph of Faith xxi. 232 The world is a bushie and rank wood.
1714 A. Stringer Experienc'd Huntsman 186 There are some Grounds in Ireland that have been covered with very rank Woods.
1788 W. Marshall Provincialisms E. Yorks. in Rural Econ. Yorks. II. 347 Rank, standing in close order; thick upon the ground, as corn in the field, or trees in a wood.
1823 W. Scoresby Jrnl. Voy. Northern Whale-fishery 240 Endangered, while among rank ice, by a gale of wind.
1864 E. Lynn Linton Lake Country 200 Where the sheep are ‘rank’ on the fell sides.
1877 M. Egglestone Betty Podkin's Visit 4 Ther stickin' as rank ez flesh-flees on a sheep pluk.
1928 A. E. Pease Dict. Dial. N. Riding Yorks. 101/2 Ye've setten 'em ower rank be half.
b. Numerous, frequent, rife. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > plurality > great number, numerousness > [adjective] > abundant, numerous
so manyc888
thickc893
muchc1225
rifec1275
stourc1275
unridec1300
copiousc1384
plentya1400
rivedc1400
numerable?a1425
numerous?a1475
many a several1543
rank1545
numberous1566
huge1570
multuous1586
multeous1589
numberful1594
numberable1596
numbery1606
numbersomea1617
multitudinousa1631
sand-like1630
voluminous1650
several1712
smart1750
powerful1800
multitudinarious1810
multitudinary1838
1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus i. f. 43v The Archers of England shuld not be only a great deale ranker, and mo then they be: but also a good deale bygger and stronger.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Ciii Theues..were in euery place so ryffe and ranke.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman To Rdr. sig. B3v Eighteene of this rable, all rife and ranke among us.
1657 Lusts Dominion ii. ii. sig. C4 Seek such, they are rank and thick.
1868 J. C. Atkinson Gloss. Cleveland Dial. Rank, numerous, abundant, of frequent occurrence.
1904 in Eng. Dial. Dict. V. 34/2 As rank as moats i' t'sun.
1970 New Scientist 16 July 151/1 ‘When foxes is rank, marts is scarce,’ said the old fell farmers.
10. In various technical applications: projecting upwards or downwards, standing out. Now chiefly English regional and rare.Recorded earliest in rank-keel n. at keel n.1 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > [adjective]
steepc1000
tooting?c1225
strutting1387
prominent?1440
extant1540
eminent?1541
pouting1563
poking1566
out1576
egregious1578
promontory1579
out-pointed1585
buttinga1593
outjetting1598
perking1598
jettying1609
juttying1609
out-jutting1611
outstanding1611
upsticking1611
out-shooting1622
jutting1624
outgrowing1625
rank1625
toting1645
projectinga1652
porrected1653
protruded1654
protruding1654
upcast1658
protending1659
jettinga1661
raised1663
starting1680
emersed1686
exerted1697
projective1703
jet-out1709
exorbitant1715
sticking1715
foreright1736
poky1754
perked-up1779
salient1789
prouda1800
overdriven1812
extrusive1816
stand-up1818
shouldering1824
jutty1827
outflung1830
sticky-out1839
sticking-up1852
outreaching1853
protrusive1858
out-thrusting1869
stickout1884
protrudent1891
society > occupation and work > equipment > cutting tool > [adjective] > specific attributes
rank1625
cross-cut1645
landed1971
1625 H. Mainwaring Nomenclator Navalis (MS BL Add. 21571) 171 A rank keel is when a ship hath a deep keel.
1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. vi. Explan. Terms 111 The Iron of a Plain is said to be set Ranck, when its edge stands so flat below the Sole of the Plain, that in working it will take off a thick shaving.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Keel When a Ship hath a deep Keel, she is said to have a rank Keel.
1867 F. Francis Bk. Angling i. 14 The barb is so rank..that it often takes some time to unhook the fish.
1884 Sci. Amer. 17 July 32 Whether the tool used was a roughing tool with rank feed or a finish tool with fine feed.
1904 Eng. Dial. Dict. V. 34/2 Stones broken too small for the traffic on a road would be described as ‘not ronk enough’.
1961 F. H. Burgess Dict. Sailing 168 Rank keel, one that is very deep.
III. Of a gross, luxuriant, or coarse quality.
11. Highly offensive or loathsome, esp. morally; evil, abominable, foul. In later use: esp. (of language, behaviour, etc.) grossly coarse or indecent; obscene.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > heinousness > [adjective]
awlyc1200
grievousa1300
grilla1300
uglya1300
strongc1300
outrageousa1325
heinousc1374
excessive1393
curseda1400
fella1400
misshapenc1400
rankc1400
monstruousc1425
enorm1481
prodigiousc1487
villainous1489
nefand1490
sceleratea1513
monstrous1531
funestal1538
enormious1545
facinorous1548
flagitious1550
dire1567
bonable1575
felonious1575
bomination1589
unvenial?1589
heathenish1592
enormous1593
villainous1598
nameless1611
pitchy1612
funest1636
funestous1641
scarleta1643
nefandous1649
aversable1663
atrocious1669
frightful1700
flagrant1706
atrocea1734
diabolical1750
unspeakable1831
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > foulness or filth > [adjective]
blackOE
rotea1382
lousyc1386
unwashed?a1390
fulsomec1390
filthy?c1400
rankc1400
leprousa1425
sicka1425
miry1532
shitten?1545
murrain1575
obscene1597
vicious1597
ketty1607
putrid1628
putredinous1641
foede1657
fulsamic1694
carrion1826
foul1842
shitty1879
scabrous1880
scummy1932
pukey1933
shitting1950
gungy1962
grungy1965
shithouse1966
grot1967
bogging1973
the mind > emotion > hatred > object of detestation (person or thing) > [adjective]
loatha700
eileOE
andsetec1000
wlatfulc1230
aloathedc1275
wlatsomea1300
unhonest13..
wlata1325
hideousc1330
abominable1340
hatefula1382
hatesomea1382
abominablec1384
odiousa1387
fulsomec1390
accursedc1400
hatousc1400
rankc1400
hateablec1425
odiblec1425
ugsomec1425
wretchedc1430
loathsomec1440
loathfula1450
noisomea1450
abhominal1477
detestable1477
loathy1481
loathing?a1513
oppugnanta1513
irksome1513
hateworthy1548
abhorful1565
ugged1570
detestine1575
ulcerous1577
opposite1578
scandalous1592
offensive1594
obscene1597
ulcered1602
dirtya1616
abhorrent1628
toady1628
envious1630
repugnant1633
nauseating1645
nauseous1646
obnoxious1646
detestful1654
reluctant1663
horrid1666
abnoxious1682
devilish1692
invidious1710
repellent1776
repellant1780
sickening1789
toadish1822
carrion1826
ugging1839
cussed1853
repugnant1879
jerky1944
vomitous1952
barfy1957
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > [adjective] > extremely wicked
deepOE
blackOE
outrageousa1325
heinousc1374
flagitiousc1384
excessive1393
rankc1400
enorm1481
prodigiousc1487
villainous1489
terriblec1510
sceleratea1513
monstrous1531
enormious1545
facinorous1548
monstruous1562
felonious1575
enormous1593
facinoriousa1616
rounda1638
scarlet1710
facinerose1727
atrocious1772
outraging1895
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > moral or spiritual impurity > indecency > [adjective] > extremely
ranka1529
gross?1533
coarse1711
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) 760 (MED) If þat twenty be trwe, I..relece alle þat regioun of her ronk werkkez.
a1450 (a1400) Titus & Vespasian (BL Add. 36523) l. 1215 (MED) The evell was on hym soo ranke, Þat on his folke so foule stanke, From amonges his men he flegh.
a1529 J. Skelton Against Scottes (1843) 172 The rude ranke Scottes, lyke dronken dranes.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 11775 Couetous, by custome of old..rote is & rankist of all the rif syns.
1593 G. Harvey New Let. Notable Contents sig. D Capricious Dialogues of rankest Bawdry.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) i. ii. 279 My Wife..deserues a Name As ranke as any Flax-Wench, that puts to Before her troth-plight. View more context for this quotation
1671 R. Head & F. Kirkman Eng. Rogue IV. 112 Keeping a House of Debauchery, and rank Bawdry.
1708 J. Collier Farther Vindic. Short View Eng. Stage 43 Permit Prostitutes and Bawds to make their Character in rank Language.
1743 E. Young Complaint: Night the Fifth 9 Hand in hand lead on the rank Debauch.
1779 H. Downman Lucius Junius Brutus iv. iii. 103 Telling the tale of shame to his lewd brothers, And riotous associates, who agape..grin applause To the rank act of lust.
1802 W. Gifford Satires Juvenal & Persius ii. 56 Jests obscene go round: They lisp, they squeal, and the rank language use, of Cybele's lewd votaries, or the stews.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 5 The rank vocabulary of malice and hate.
1901 Semi-weekly Cedar Falls (Iowa) Gaz. 1 Feb. Young fellows..Fall into the habit so damnably rank, Their language is that of the slums!
1958 San Antonio (Texas) Light 24 Apr. Some rank language is used around the taxicab stand.
2003 Spectator (Nexis) 26 July 55 A week of rank behaviour, which has heaped shame upon us all.
12. Affected by or resulting from putrefaction; festering, rotten; contaminated. Also in figurative contexts. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > [adjective] > rotten or putrefied
forrottedc897
foulOE
rotted?c1225
rottena1250
corruptc1380
enraged1398
putrefieda1413
purulent?a1425
putrid?a1425
ranka1425
rottenly1435
corrupped1533
corruptious1559
attainted1573
rot1573
putrefacted1574
baggage1576
tainted1577
pourryc1580
corruptive1593
putrilaginous1598
putrefactious1609
taint1620
putid1660
rottenish1691
septic1746
corrupted1807
mullocky1839
rotty1872
seething1875
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > dirtiness > corruption or putridness > [adjective] > corrupt or putrid
rottingeOE
foulOE
rotted?c1225
rottena1250
corruptc1380
putrefieda1413
putrid?a1425
ranka1425
rottenly1435
pourryc1450
moskin1531
corrupped1533
corrupting1567
attainted1573
rot1573
putrefacted1574
baggage1576
tainted1577
pury1602
putrefactious1609
putrefactive1610
taint1620
putrescent1624
festerous1628
putid1660
scandalous1676
rottenish1691
putrefying1746–7
septic1746
corrupted1807
decomposing1833
decomposed1846
seething1875
a1425 (a1396) R. Maidstone Paraphr. Seven Penitential Psalms (BL Add. 39574) 233 in M. Day Wheatley MS (1921) 29 (MED) Be my woundes roten and rank..Can I noght bot mercy cry.
1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse Ep. Ded. sig. ☞5 Yeelding the ranke fleshe to the Chirurgions knife.
1623 J. Webster Dutchesse of Malfy v. ii Phisitians that apply horse-leiches to any rancke swelling.
1637 J. Milton Comus 2 The ranck vapours of this Sin-worne mould.
1685 J. Dryden tr. Lucretius iii, in Sylvæ 71 Nor cou'd the Lobes of his rank liver swell To that prodigious Mass for their eternal meal.
1715 C. Johnson Country Lasses iv. ii. 53 Thy Inside contains a weak Indulgence only to the Overflowings of a rank Gall.
1798 H. Summersett Aberford p. viii Tread o'er green skulls, rank flesh and crumbling bones.
1827 R. Emmons Fredoniad iv. xxxi. 39 He sunk with horrour, quivering on the slain, So rank his fester'd blood,—his weight so dread Groans seem'd to rise with shrieking from the dead.
1863 A. P. Stanley Lect. Jewish Church I. ii. 32 Corrupt civilisation which had grown up in the rank climate of that deep descent.
1906 Galveston (Texas) Daily News 24 June 10/2 A British grocer was tried and convicted of selling meat products which the Judge..declared a ‘rank and putrid mess’.
1984 A. Maupin Babycakes vi. 21 It was no wonder the car had begun to smell like a rank terrarium; he had actually discovered a small stand of grass sprouting in the mildewed carpet behind the back seat.
2006 Sunday Times (Nexis) 8 Oct. 13 Months' worth of sticky, rank residue has accumulated in the bottom of the organic-matter bucket.
13.
a. Of soil, land, etc.: extremely rich, heavy, or fertile; liable to produce rank vegetation (cf. sense A. 6). Also in figurative contexts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > earth or soil > soil qualities > [adjective] > rank
rank?1440
rankish1495
over-rank1689
high1886
tr. Palladius De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey) (1896) i. 104 (MED) Take the fatte and moyst [land]..And aftir hit the thikke and ronke [L. spissus] is best.
tr. Palladius De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey) (1896) ii. 169 (MED) Ronk [v.r. Rong; L. gloss. vliginosa] lond a fote & half, a valey twey ffeet deep is at the best.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xiv The moystenes of the dong shall cause the grounde to be ranke ynough.
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida i. iii. 312 The seeded pride, That hath to this maturity blowne vp In ranke Achilles. View more context for this quotation
1653 J. Howell German Diet sig. K2v In som rank grounds weeds get up so fast that the corn cannot grow.
1726 J. Laurence New Syst. Agric. i. 96 The Sprat or Fullum Barley; which, for rank Land is best, because it doth not run to straw.
a1745 J. Swift Ode to W. Sancroft v, in Misc. Pieces (1789) 219 Our British soil is over rank, and breeds Among the noblest flowers a thousand pois'nous weeds.
1789 G. White Nat. Hist. Selborne 2 A rank clay, that requires the labour of years to render it mellow.
1821 R. Southey Ode King's Visit Irel. ix To weed out noxious customs rooted deep In a rank soil, and long left seeding there.
1861 Amer. Agriculturist July 207/1 Scatter the lumps of manure with a maul..; otherwise a few spots will be over-fed and rank, while the surrounding soil may be lacking fertility.
1895 Tablet 9 Nov. The land is at first too ‘rank’ to grow corn or even root crops.
1938 ‘S. Smith’ Tender Only to One 16 The clay Rank with long rains Gives way.
1991 Ess. in Crit. xli. 20 Imperial adventure, it seems, is rooted in the rank soil of dispossession and paternal rejection.
b. Of an area: covered or filled with a thick, coarse growth of grass or other vegetation; overgrown. Also in figurative contexts.In rank pasture, perhaps a use of sense A. 6.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by good growth > [adjective] > covered with luxuriant growth
flourisheda1375
rankc1450
greened1568
greenya1586
verdureda1718
verdurous1717
flourishing1883
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 3060 As fele..As risonis in a ranke fild quen riders it spilken.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 66 When they [sc. sheep] are closyd in ranke pasturys.
1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (xxii. 14) The hill of Basan was ennobled for battling and rank pastures.
1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion xiii. 222 Meadowes hugely ranke.
1647 H. More Philos. Poems i. 44 Thus in the wicked wench rank fields do grow Of Rapine, Riot, Lust, and Covetize.
1661 T. Fuller Andronicus v. v. 82 The countrey doth affoard rich dirt, plump grain Rank Meadows, Fatter then the sweating swain.
1735 W. Somervile Chace ii. 29 In hopes Of plenteous Forage, near the ranker Mead.
1791 S. T. Coleridge Happiness in Poems 31 Behold yon flock which long had trod O'er the short grass of Devon's sod, To Lincoln's rank rich meads transferr'd.
1822 J. Galt Sir Andrew Wylie I. vi. 44 A small garden, rank with apleringy, and other fragrant herbs.
1890 G. A. Henty With Lee in Virginia 209 The patch..though now rank with weeds, had evidently been carefully cultivated.
1913 D. H. Lawrence Sons & Lovers xiii. 357 The sea-meadows rank with herbage, were stark enough to rejoice his soul.
1966 W. Percy Last Gentleman v. ii. 239 It was a heedless prodigal land, the ditches rank and befouled, weeds growing through the junk.
2001 Western Morning News (Plymouth) (Nexis) 10 July 10 There are tumbledown walls, neglected hedgerows, rank land.
14. Of poison: virulent, deadly. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > poison > [adjective] > virulence (of poison)
rankc1440
cursedness1634
c1440 Prose Life Alexander (Thornton) (1913) 110 (MED) He..boghte..a maner of drynke made of puyson that was so felle & so ranke þat þare myghte no vesselle halde it Bot a vessell made of Iren.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ii. iv. 37 Full of vennome and rank poyson.
a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Certain Bks. Aenæis (1557) ii. sig. Bi Whose sacred fillettes all be sprinkled were With filth of gory blod, and venim rank.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. viii. xviii. 294 Certain dames of Rome..boiled and tempered ranke poisons (to kill their husbands).
1661 J. Evelyn Fumifugium i. 8 Such as by assuefaction have made the rankest poysons their most familiar Diet.
1704 tr. P. Dubé Poor Man's Physician & Surgeon x. iv. 324 If you should prescribe a Purging Remedy in the beginning,..it would be the same thing, as if you..prescribed rank Poison, instead of a wholesome Medicine.
1787 W. Withering Bot. Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 2) I. 300 Cowbane..is one of the rankest of our vegetable poisons... Cows often eat it and are killed by it.
15.
a. Having a strong and unpleasant smell; rancid. Formerly also with †of. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > fetor > [adjective]
foul-stinkingOE
poignantc1387
rammishc1395
rank1479
reekya1500
puanta1529
unsavoury1539
uglyc1540
contagious1547
noisome1559
fulsome1576
fetid1599
nasty1601
unsweet1605
rammy1607
stenchful1615
stinkardly1616
rancid1627
reeking1629
pungent1644
olidous1646
stenching1654
graveolent1657
maleolent1657
virous1661
olid1680
ranciduous1688
feculent1703
virose1756
stenchy1757
infragrant1813
inodorous1823
nosy1836
malodorous1850
unfragrant1858
smelly1862
cacodorous1863
stinky1888
funked out1893
niffya1903
whiffy1905
pongy1936
fresh1966
minging1970
bogging1973
bowfing1983
honking1985
1479 Earl Rivers tr. Cordyal (Caxton) i. i Thy flessh shal be more ranke in stinche, than the flessh of a rotyne hownde.
a1529 J. Skelton Elynour Rummyng (1843) 540 She brought a bore pygge; The fleshe therof was ranke.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball v. iv. 549 The ranke stinking Goate, or stinking Motherwort.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. iii. 36 O my offence is ranck, it smels to heauen. View more context for this quotation
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 148 They are generally fat, and ranke of the sauors which attend vpon sluttish corpulency.
1656 J. Smith Compl. Pract. Physick 346 After that, add Discussives, as rank nuts.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 91 Our Men made some Butter..but it grew rank and oily.
1741 J. Campbell Conc. Hist. Spanish Amer. ii. vi. 125 It [sc. New Vera Cruz]..is not very considerable..on the one Side being exposed to vast Clouds of dry Sand, and on the other to the Exhaltations of very rank Bogs.
1780 T. Frewen Physiologia 478 Boiling, Dr. Cheyne observes, draws more of the rank, strong juices from meat.
1800 S. T. Coleridge tr. F. Schiller Piccolomini i. iv. 24 Pirates,..crowded in the rank and narrow ship.
1852 H. D. Thoreau Jrnl. 13 June (1997) V. 94 The smilax herbacea, Carrion-flower, a rank green vine... It smells exactly like a dead rat in the wall.
1892 R. L. Stevenson Across Plains ii. 2 The wretched little booking office, and the baggage-room..were heavy and rank with the atmosphere of dripping clothes.
1932 Salt Lake Tribune 27 July 4/2 Political demagogy, rank and smelly, comes out of hiding.
1979 A. Hecht Venetian Vespers (1980) i. 10 Came home oil-stained and late to find her drunk And the house rank with the staleness of dead butts.
2000 White Dwarf May 106/3 The rank, mineral tainted air caught in the back of her throat.
b. Of smell: strong and unpleasant. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > fetor > [adjective] > of a smell: bad
sourc1340
sourish1398
unclean?1440
rankish1495
rank1570
penetrating?1576
quick1578
musk cat1609
acute1620
loud1641
nauseous1649
loud-flavoured1866
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Biv/2 Ranke smell, magnus odor, olidus.
1576 A. Fleming tr. Hippocrates in Panoplie Epist. 274 Some ranke stinking sauour.
1620 I. C. Two Merry Milke-maids i. iii. sig. Cv Some of them haue drunk sowre Butter milke this morning, mingled with Garlicke, which crudden together, makes but a ranke smell.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 115 With that rank Odour from thy dwelling Place To drive the Viper's brood. View more context for this quotation
1734 A. Pope Satires of Horace ii. ii. 28 A stench..Rank as the ripeness of a Rabbit's tail.
1784 E. Allen Reason xi. §2. 371 Some [nations] are distinguished from others by their rank smell and the difference in their hair, eyes and visage.
1834 T. Pringle Afr. Sketches viii. 268 The smell of the hyæna crocuta is so rank and offensive that scarcely any animal will come near the carcase.
1860 ‘G. Eliot’ Mill on Floss III. vi. i. 14 There are people..whose small benevolences have a predominant and somewhat rank odour of egoism.
1918 S. Sassoon Dream in Counter-attack & Other Poems 60 From byre and midden Came the rank smell that brought me once again A dream of war that in the past was hidden.
1940 C. McCullers Heart is Lonely Hunter ii. x. 256 In the alley there was the rank odour of wet refuse.
1990 R. Jordan Eye of World ii. 2 Stinkweed..left a rank smell.
16. Of a person: lustful, licentious (English regional in later use); (of a female animal) in heat.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > lasciviousness or lust > [adjective]
golelichc1000
luxuriousc1330
jollyc1384
lustyc1386
Venerienc1386
nicea1393
gayc1405
lasciviousc1425
libidinous1447
Venerian1448
coltishc1450
gigly1482
lubric1490
ranka1500
venereous1509
lubricous1535
venerious1547
boarish?1550
goatish?1552
cadye1554
lusting1559
coy1570
rage1573
rammish1577
venerial1577
lustful1579
rageous1579
proud1590
lust-breathed1594
rampant1596
venerous1597
sharp-seta1600
fulsome1600
lubrical1602
hot-backed1607
ruttish1607
stoned1607
muskish-minded1610
Venerean1612
saucya1616
veneral1623
lascive1647
venereal1652
lascivient1653
hircine1656
hot-tempered1673
ramp1678
randy1771
concupiscenta1834
aphrodisiac1862
lubricious1884
radgie1894
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > sexual organs and reproduction > [adjective] > relating to mating > in specific reproductive phase
hot?a1300
rutey timec1400
jolly1535
proud1575
rutting1575
rank1600
musth1839
oestrual1857
oestral1877
diœstrous1900
oestrous1900
polyoestrous1900
a1500 (c1465) in J. Gairdner Three 15th-cent. Chrons. (1880) 2 They wex coragious and ranke, and desired gretely the feleshippe of men.
1575 J. Rolland Treat. Court Venus i. f. 8v And sine to me lufe is sa amorous..I salbe ay baith rank, and ryotous.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice i. iii. 79 The Ewes being ranck..turned to the Rammes. View more context for this quotation
1680 E. Settle Female Prelate v. ii. 68 Gentlemen, that seeming Royal Head To which you kneel and pray, is an abhorr'd, Loath'd Sorceress, a filthy rank Adulteress.
1701 D. Defoe True-born Englishman i. 20 Their Rank Daughters..Receiv'd all Nations with Promiscuous Lust.
1739 P. Whitehead State of Rome (ed. 2) 8 Rank Adult'rers break the Nuptial State, And scarce a Bed but feels a Foreign Weight.
1765 Treat. Domest. Pigeons 25 A merry rank hen will sometimes shew and play almost like a cock.
1904 in Eng. Dial. Dict. V. 34/2 Oh, the woman's a ronk un! Ivry child she's hed es bin by a different man.
1972 Times 31 Oct. 14/7Ronk’ means what the yokels of London would describe as ‘randy’.
1987 Racing Pigeon Pict. Mar. 73/2 Hens get very ‘rank’ (or sexy) at times and usually their own cock will look after them, but sometimes they will accept the advances of another cock.
17.
a. Used emphatically or as an intensifier: of the worst kind; monstrous, gross. Later also in weakened use: complete and utter, absolute.See also rank amateur n., rank outsider n. at Compounds 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > utter or absolute
shirea1225
purec1300
properc1380
plainc1395
cleana1400
fine?a1400
entirec1400
veryc1400
starka1425
utterc1430
utterlyc1440
merec1443
absolute1531
outright1532
cleara1535
bloodyc1540
unproachable1544
flat1553
downright1577
sheer1583
right-down?1586
single1590
peremptory1601
perfecta1616
downa1625
implicit1625
every way1628
blank1637
out-and-outa1642
errant1644
inaccessional1651
thorough-paced1651
even down1654
dead1660
double-dyed1667
through stitch1681
through-stitched1682
total1702
thoroughgoing1719
thorough-sped1730
regular1740
plumb1748
hollow1751
unextenuated1765
unmitigated1783
stick, stock, stone dead1796
positive1802
rank1809
heart-whole1823
skire1825
solid1830
fair1835
teetotal1840
bodacious1845
raw1856
literal1857
resounding1873
roaring1884
all out1893
fucking1893
pink1896
twenty-four carat1900
grand slam1915
stone1928
diabolical1933
fricking1937
righteous1940
fecking1952
raving1954
1528 Rede me & be nott Wrothe sig. b viv This is rancke heresy.
1550 J. Bale (title) The Apology of Johan Bale agaynste a ranke Papyst.
a1627 T. Middleton No Wit (1657) i. 29 'Tis a most rank untruth.
1676 A. Marvell Mr. Smirke sig. C2v The meanest Varlet, the dullest School-boy, the rankest Idiot.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 105. ¶5 What are these but rank Pedants?
1766 J. Fordyce Serm. Young Women I. iv. 148 Rank treason against the royalty of Virtue.
1782 J. Freeth Mod. Songs 19 At so much rank hypocrisy, One can't tell what to say.
1809 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1838) V. 150 General Eguia's plan is rank nonsense.
1880 W. Day Racehorse in Training v. 40 A horse..which turned a rank roarer.
1926 J. Black You can't Win vi. 65 If you was some kind of a rank dingbat you wouldn't have been invited down here.
1944 L. Mumford Condition of Man iv. 140 Bacon's work brought him into rank disfavor with his ecclesiastical superiors.
1995 N.Y. Times 27 June a17/2 It's gotten so you can't do anybody a rank injustice in a newspaper column anymore.
b. Grossly apparent; glaring. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > manifestness > [adjective] > strikingly
notablea1398
staring?a1425
loud1535
gross1581
strong1583
signal1591
conspicuous1604
marked1620
remarked1623
ranka1640
signalized1652
bold1678
flaming1706
glaring1706
telegraphic1809
salient1841
howling1865
insistent1868
rampageous1889
a1640 P. Massinger Parl. of Love (1976) iv. i. 57 Tis ranck The sight of my wife hath forcd him to forget To counterfeit.
1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 564 His pride resents the charge, although the proof Rise in his forehead, and seem rank enough. View more context for this quotation
B. adv.
1. = rankly adv. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > [adverb] > with rapid or sudden violence
brathlya1300
angerly?a1425
impetuously1485
headilya1500
vehemently1538
angardlyc1540
furiouslya1577
rank1590
wildly1593
amok1838
torrentially1882
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > [adverb] > headlong
swireforthc825
a-randounc1380
headlya1425
headlongsc1540
eavelong1567
headlong1576
rank1590
headlongly1595
precipitously1626
neck-break1631
precipitantly1656
precipitately1728
precipitatedly1770
torrentially1882
slap-dab1886
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. iii. sig. O7v The seely man seeing him ryde so ranck..fell flatt to ground for feare.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. v. sig. E6 The sound Of many yron hammers beating ranke . View more context for this quotation
a1640 J. Fletcher et al. Beggers Bush iii. iii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) 86 O he smells ranck o'th rascall.
1691 J. Dunton Voy. round World III. 368 Some of their Ancestry have smelt ranck of Astrology.
2. Completely, extremely. Now only in rank bad. Cf. sense A. 17a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > utterly
allOE
allOE
outlyOE
thwert-outc1175
skerea1225
thoroughc1225
downrightc1275
purec1300
purelyc1300
faira1325
finelyc1330
quitec1330
quitelyc1330
utterlyc1374
outerlya1382
plainlya1382
straighta1387
allutterly1389
starkc1390
oultrelya1393
plata1393
barec1400
outrightc1400
incomparablyc1422
absolutely?a1425
simpliciter?a1425
staringa1425
quitementa1450
properlyc1450
directly1455
merec1475
incomparable1482
preciselyc1503
clean?1515
cleara1522
plain1535
merely1546
stark1553
perfectly1555
right-down1566
simply1574
flat1577
flatly1577
skire1581
plumb1588
dead?1589
rankly1590
stark1593
sheera1600
start1599
handsmooth1600
peremptory1601
sheerly1601
rank1602
utter1619
point-blank1624
proofa1625
peremptorily1626
downrightly1632
right-down1646
solid1651
clever1664
just1668
hollow1671
entirely1673
blank1677
even down1677
cleverly1696
uncomparatively1702
subtly1733
point1762
cussed1779
regularly1789
unqualifiedly1789
irredeemably1790
positively1800
cussedly1802
heart1812
proper1816
slick1818
blankly1822
bang1828
smack1828
pluperfectly1831
unmitigatedly1832
bodaciously1833
unredeemedly1835
out of sight1839
bodacious1845
regular1846
thoroughly1846
ingrainedly1869
muckinga1880
fucking1893
motherless1898
self1907
stone1928
sideways1956
terminally1974
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge i. v. sig. C2v Would'st haue me turn rank mad, or..curse, weepe, rage, & then my bosome strike?
1870 J. P. Robson Evangeline 329 Rank bad foaks wi' cankris harts that ne'er can happy be.
1888 S. O. Addy Gloss. Words Sheffield (at cited word) A rank bad man.
1910 R. Kipling Rewards & Fairies 84 That's the curiosity of it. 'Twas bad—rank bad.
1952 Times 31 July 2/6 Preece..had experienced a period of rank bad luck.
2007 Geelong (Austral.) Advertiser (Nexis) 19 Jan. 41 It was just a rank bad performance and a humiliating defeat at home.

Compounds

C1. In parasynthetic adjectives.
rank-brained adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1613 G. Chapman Memorable Maske Inns of Court sig. a3v Insania, is that which euery Ranck-brainde writer; and iudge of Poeticall writing, is rapt withal.
rank-leed adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1669 W. Charleton Mysterie of Vintners in Two Disc. 189 The ill savour of rank-leed French wine.
rank-minded adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1593 G. Harvey Pierces Supererogation 147 Sweet Gossip,..the dunghill, is your freehold;..I know none so rank-minded.
rank-scented adj.
ΚΠ
1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) x. f. 135 Rank sented Mints too make Of womens limbes [L. femineos artus in olentes vertere mentas.]
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. i. ii. 28 'Tis rank scented, yet the taste is not altogether unpleasant.
1740 W. Pardon Dyche's New Gen. Eng. Dict. (ed. 3) at Fitch Also the name of the pole-cat, or rank-scented ferret.
1867 Galaxy May 9 Mr. Randolph had called it once a rank-scented weed.
1944 K. Rexroth Coll. Shorter Poems (1966) 140 They lie half buried in the tangle of rank scented midsummer flowers.
2007 Orillia (Ont.) Packet & Times (Nexis) 19 Feb. a4 Characteristics that apply to all members of the Solanaceae family: all are rank-scented herbs with a colourless bitter juice.
C2. With past participles.
rank-grown adj.
ΚΠ
1628 T. May tr. Virgil Georgicks iii. 57 The ranke-grown weeds invade Yong corn.
1769 T. Tournay Ambition 6 The rank-grown Thistle blighted Albion's Rose.
1857 G. H. Boker Plays & Poems (ed. 2) 322 Rocks and trees, pool, waterfall, and rank-grown sod.
1958 Great Bend (Kansas) Daily Tribune 22 May 7/1 Rains last week slowed and caused considerable lodging in rank-grown wheat fields.
rank-set adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1615 R. Brathwait Strappado 87 Flora..them did put In her embrodred skirts which were rancke set, With Prime-rose, Cow-slip, and the violet.
1736 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum (ed. 5) at Adz A Plane, though rank set, will not make Riddance enough.
1823 P. Nicholson New Pract. Builder 229 The edge of the iron of a plane is said to be rank-set when it projects considerably below the sole.
rank-smelt adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1598 R. Barnfield Encomion Lady Pecunia xxxi. sig. C Thy chafing hath begot A ranke-smelt sauour.
C3. With present participles.
rank feeding adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1601 T. Powell Passionate Poet sig. Dv Her too much vse is too much nourishing In the rancke feeding bodies of our state.
c1820 Philos. Recreat. 20 The skins of large, or rank-feeding birds.
rank-growing adj.
ΚΠ
1668 R. Howard Great Favourite i. i. 7 I will sow Jealousie in every breast, 'Tis a Rank growing weed, and will choak up All that shou'd spring of Love, or Confidence.
1771 D. Henry Compl. Eng. Farmer ii. i. 212 As often therefore as a quantity of rank growing weeds are ploughed into the earth, so often you may be said to give it a fresh dressing.
1879 Scribner's Monthly Dec. 248/2 Cow-peas, or any other rank-growing green crop, is as useful to Southern clay as to Northern.
1969 D. F. Costello Prairie World iii. 57 The moisture-loving vegetation consists mainly of rank-growing grasses such as smooth cordgrass.
rank-riding adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1596 M. Drayton Mortimeriados sig. E King Edward followeth..With troupes of bow-men and ranck-riding bands.
1642 J. Row Red-shankes Serm. sig. A3 The Bishops, those ranke riding Lowns, got on her [sc. the Kirk's] back, and then she trotted so hard as they could hardlie at the first well, ride her.
rank-scenting adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1735 W. Somervile Chace iv. 171 O'er Plains with Flocks distain'd Rank-scenting.
rank-smelling adj.
ΚΠ
1591 E. Spenser Muiopotmos in Complaints sig. V2 Ranke smelling Rue, and Cummin good for eyes.
1632 P. Fletcher Joy in Tribulation xxviii. 262 A stinking Fox, a rancke-smelling Dissembler.
1766 R. Andrews tr. Virgil Georgics , in Wks. iv. 114 Rank smelling cent'ry and Cecropian thyme.
1812 J. Galt Agamemnon i. ii, in Tragedies 64 Supplanted in his love, by a vile slave; A coarse, rank-smelling groom; a neighing groom.
1919 ‘K. Mansfield’ Let. 21 Nov. (1951) 401 I remember standing in a rank-smelling field.
1994 C. McCarthy Crossing 425 He woke in the white light of the desert noon and sat up in the ranksmelling blankets.
rank-springing adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1816 W. Scott Old Mortality i, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. II. 8 Rank-springing grass.
rank-swelling adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion xv. 242 By whose rank swelling Streame, the far-fetcht forraine fraught, May vp to In-land Townes conueniently be brought.
a1649 W. Drummond Poems (1656) 145 Loud-bellowing Clyde..Ranke-swelling Annan.
rank-tasting adj.
ΚΠ
1872 Proc. Zool. Soc. London 832 Strong-smelling and rank-tasting.
1921 D. H. Lawrence Sea & Sardinia ii. 63 A massive yellow omelette..cooked in the usual rank-tasting olive oil.
2001 Hamilton (Ont.) Spectator (Nexis) 20 Aug. a9 I recall some unpleasant musty-smelling showers and rank-tasting tea and coffee in past years.
C4. Appositive.
rank-old adj. Obsolete Apparently an isolated use.
ΚΠ
a1889 G. M. Hopkins Poems (1967) 179 What being in rank-old nature should earlier have that breath been.
C5.
rank amateur n. a person who is completely inexperienced or inept at a particular activity; cf. sense A. 17a.
ΚΠ
1884 Syracuse (N.Y.) Standard 9 July 5/1 Law, a rank amateur, was sent in to catch.
1936 R. Riskin Mr. Deeds goes to Town in Six Screenplays (1997) 381 Longfellow Deeds..who went out last night to prove that his uncle..was a rank amateur in the art of ‘standing the town on its cauliflower ear’.
1998 Independent 28 Mar. i. 2/2 A deceitful and filthy plan which makes Machiavelli look like a rank amateur.
rank goat n. Obsolete rare (more fully rank stinking goat) the plant stinking goosefoot, Chenopodium vulvaria (family Chenopodiaceae); cf. rank stinking goat.
ΚΠ
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Blanche-putain, the hearbe Ranke-goat, or stinking Motherwort.
rank outsider n. originally Horse Racing an outsider at very long odds; also in extended use.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > socially inferior person > [noun]
lowerc1175
afterlingc1275
smalla1325
nethererc1443
undermana1661
lowlife1712
vulgar1763
vulgarian1809
rank outsider1869
low man on the totem1956
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > [noun] > horse by performance
lightweight1773
sticker1779
maiden1807
favourite1813
mile-horse1829
outsider1836
heavyweight1857
stayer1862
stoner1862
rank outsider1869
pick1872
pot1874
timer1881
resurrectionist1883
short head1883
pea1888
cert1889
stiffa1890
wrong 'un1889
on the mark1890
place horse1890
top-weight1892
miler1894
also-ran1895
selection1901
loser1902
hotpot1904
roughie1908
co-favourite1922
readier1922
springer1922
fav1935
scratch1938
no-hoper1943
shoo-in1950
scorer1974
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by purpose used for > [noun] > racehorse > outsider
outsider1836
caravanner1838
rank outsider1869
stiff one1871
stiffa1890
roughie1908
no-hoper1943
1869 Times 16 Oct. 5/4 Belle Etoile, after a good race with M. Deavigne's Eckmulh (a rank outsider in the betting), won by half a length.
1890 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang II. 170 Rank outsider (common), a vulgar fellow, a cad. From a racing term applied to a horse outside the rank.
1923 Music Supervisor's Jrnl. 9 18 I am duly conscious of the fact that I am a rank outsider—a shameless intruder among a group of trained musicians.
1995 Racing Post 14 July 64/4 The rank outsider shot a 68 yesterday to move within a shot of leader Montgomerie.
rank rider n. now historical a person who rides in a rapid, headlong, or reckless manner (also figurative); spec. a highwayman; (Scottish) a moss-trooper.
ΚΠ
1580 A. Saker Narbonus 35 These wayfaring trauellers, & rancke riders, on their way towards Vienna.
1603 T. Dekker 1603: Wonderfull Yeare sig. A4 Those ranck-riders of Art, that haue so spur-gald your lustie wingd Pegasus.
a1629 W. Hinde Faithfull Remonstr. (1641) xi. 38 A good rule for our horse-racers, rank riders, and hot-spurre hunters..to measure their actions by.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Rank-rider, a High-way-man, also a Jockey.
1741 T. Betterton in G. Ogle Canterbury Tales I. 31 Like a rank Rider, pointed Spurs she wore.
1828 Anc. Ballads & Songs of North of Scotl. I. vii Ride on, ride on, ye rank rider, Your steed's baith stout and strang.
1928 D. L. W. Tough Last Years of Frontier xii. 187 The Scots were riding as far as Morpeth as quietly as in Teviotdale, and their rank riders were going in tens and twelves from town to town calling on men to rise.
rank-rode adj. Obsolete that has ridden furiously.Apparently an isolated use.
ΚΠ
1609 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliad iv. 414 The rank-rode Cadmeans..Lodg'd ambuscadoes for their foe.
rank-runner n. Obsolete a person who runs in a rapid or headlong manner.
ΚΠ
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. xxii. 392 Sure he was a rancke-runner: for where any river hindred his way, he swamme it over.
rank stinking goat n. Obsolete rare = rank goat n.
ΚΠ
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball v. iv. 549 Bycause you shall reade in Dioscorides of two other herbes called Tragia, to make some difference betwixt them, we do name this Tragium Germanicum: in French, Blanche putain... I haue named it in Englishe, The ranke stinking Goate, or stinking Motherwort.
rank-winged adj. Obsolete (of a hawk) having strong, sturdy wings.
ΚΠ
1637 T. Morton New Eng. Canaan ii. iv. 71 These [Lannarets] are most excellent Mettell, rank winged, well conditioned.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Rank-wing'd Hawk, that is a slow Fligher.
1773 J. Campbell Treat. Mod. Faulconry 132 The speedy rank-winged hawk is the proper one for chacing.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

rankv.1

Forms: see rank adj. and adv.
Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: rank adj.
Etymology: < rank adj. Compare ranked adj.2, ranken v.
Obsolete.
1. intransitive. To grow rank; to rot, fester, rankle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > suppuration > suppurate [verb (intransitive)]
whealc1000
rank?a1300
ranklec1330
festera1400
putrefya1400
quittera1400
suppure?a1425
to come to a head1566
undercot1591
suppurate1615
youster1691
digest1722
maturate1726
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > dirtiness > corruption or putridness > become corrupt or putrid [verb (intransitive)]
forrota900
foulOE
rotOE
rank?a1300
corrumpc1374
to-rota1382
putrefya1400
mourkenc1400
corruptc1405
festerc1475
decay1574
rankle1612
tainta1616
decompose1793
wrox1847
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > deteriorate in condition [verb (intransitive)] > rot or putrefy
forrota900
foulOE
rotOE
rank?a1300
corrumpc1374
to-rota1382
putrefya1400
mourkenc1400
corruptc1405
festerc1475
rottena1500
decay1574
rankle1612
tainta1616
moth1624
ret1846
wrox1847
?a1300 (c1250) Prov. Hendyng (Digby) xi, in Anglia (1881) 4 193 (MED) Wel is him þat sunne hateþ, And þat hit leteþ and forsakeþ, Er hit ronke in rote.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 205 (MED) A quarelle..smote him in þe schank..It bigan to rank; þe querelle envenomed was.
c1451 J. Capgrave Life St. Gilbert (1910) 123 (MED) Thus bolned þe foot and ranked, þat þei wer compelled to kit hir schoo.
a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk Festial (Gough) (1905) 181 Sone aftyr hyt [sc. a spider's bite] rankut, and soo swal al hor throtes.
1616 J. Davies Select Second Husband sig. C4 T'will swell vnseene, Which ranking inward, outward shews thy teene.
2. transitive. To cause to project. Cf. rank adj. 10. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > project from (something) [verb (transitive)] > cause to project or stretch forth
straightc1400
protend?a1475
shoot1533
raise1568
to set out1573
project1624
protrude1638
to start out1653
penthouse1655
portend1657
to throw out1689
obtend1697
to lay out1748
bumfle1832
out-thrust1855
rank1867
1867 F. Francis Bk. Angling xiv. 410 The point of the hook being ranked outwards slightly.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

rankv.2

Origin: Of unknown origin.
Etymology: Origin unknown. Perhaps compare rank v.4
Obsolete. rare.
intransitive. Perhaps: to shout angrily (cf. rate v.1 2).
ΚΠ
a1529 J. Skelton Caudatos Anglos (1843) 56 That dronke asse, That ratis and rankis..On Huntley bankes.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online September 2018).

rankv.3

Brit. /raŋk/, U.S. /ræŋk/
Forms: see rank n.1
Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: rank n.1
Etymology: < rank n.1 Compare earlier range v.1 and its etymon Middle French ranger.
1.
a. transitive (reflexive). To form a rank or ranks. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrangement in (a) row(s) or line(s > arrange in (a) row(s) or line(s [verb (reflexive)]
rangea1460
rank1550
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrangement in (a) row(s) or line(s > arrange in (a) row(s) or line(s [verb (reflexive)] > specific people
rank1550
society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > formation > form or reform [verb (reflexive)] > form rank
rank1550
1550 T. Nicolls tr. Thucydides Hist. Peloponnesian War iv. f. Cxxii The Athenians did rancke themself in battaille nyghe to the large walles.
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 188 No sooner heare newes of forrein enemies comming against them, but they rancke themselves.
1606 W. Birnie Blame of Kirk-buriall vii. sig. C1v Men ranking themselves vnder stately standerts.
1612 J. Smith Descr. Virginia (1907) 106 These..ranked themselves 15 abreast, and each ranke from another 4 or 5 yards.
1686 tr. J. Chardin Trav. Persia 88 They rank themselves, either in a circle, or side by side.
1708 D. Manley Almyna v. ii. 59 (stage direct.) Proceeded by a Train of Mutes, Eunuchs, and Ladies in Mourning, who, Weeping, rank themselves on each side the Stage.
1726 tr. J. Cavalier Mem. Wars Cevennes i. 99 My Men stood to their Arms, and ranked themselves in a fit Posture to receive them.
1769 tr. P. Poivre Trav. Philosopher 22 Then five or six men, ranking themselves in a line on the field, make small holes as they go along.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. iv. vii. 250 National Guards rank themselves, half-buttoned.
1927 J. Todhunter Isolt of Ireland 22 The gangway is opened, and the guards rank themselves on either side.
b. transitive. To arrange or draw up (people, esp. soldiers) in a rank or ranks. Now rare.In quot. 1604: to keep (troops) in proper formation.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > formation > form (line, column, etc.) [verb (transitive)]
rank1573
form1772
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrangement in (a) row(s) or line(s > arrange in (a) row(s) or line(s [verb (transitive)] > specific people
rangea1460
arrange1487
marshal1543
rank1573
society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > [verb (transitive)] > draw up (troops) > in line or rank
rank1573
to fall in1845
society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > [verb (transitive)] > draw up (troops) > in line or rank > in proper alignment
dressa1382
rank1573
1573 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xxxix. 2 To ring ȝour drummis and rank ȝour men of weir.
1594 R. Carew tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne iii. 100 He rancks them, leades them, & alone them swayes Swiftly, but swiftnes such as order stayes.
1604 C. Edmondes Maner of Mod. Training in Observ. Cæsars Comm. II. 131 The leader of the left hand file..with the leader of the right hand file do alwaies in their marching and imbattelling rectifie or rancke the whole front of the battallion.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 604 In view Stood rankt of Seraphim another row. View more context for this quotation
1726 J. Swift Gulliver II. iii. vii. 98 We passed..between Servants of the same sort, ranked on each side as before.
1749 W. Mason Isis 9 E'en now fond Fancy leads th'ideal train, And ranks her troops on Mem'ry's ample plain.
1815 W. Scott Lord of Isles v. xiv. 193 Upon the sand Let every leader rank his band.
1884 Harper's Mag. Nov. 884/2 The prisoners were then drawn up.., ranked six deep.
1923 A. N. Wilder Battle-retrospect 56 An august Lover sacrosanct, who stoops in care above the world's unrest, whose shining troop in host on host is ranked.
c. intransitive. To form a rank or ranks; to stand in rank; to take up a position in a rank.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrangement in (a) row(s) or line(s > form (a) row(s) or line(s [verb (intransitive)]
rank1582
range1697
to fall in (also into) line1747
line1790
to line up1796
to toe a (also the) line (or mark, scratch, crack, trig)1813
daisy-chain1968
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 34 Soom bands of Troians..Ranck close too geather, thee Greeks most manlye repealing.
1605 J. Marston Dutch Courtezan iv. i Harke they are at hande, ranke handsomly.
1650 R. Elton Compl. Body Art Mil. xxxviii. 32 My subject in this Chapter shall be of Ranks filing, and Files, filing, and Ranks, ranking, and Files ranking, which are by some called Inversion, and Conversion.
1693 N. Tate tr. Juvenal in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires xv. 304 From straggling Mountainers, for Publick Good, To Rank in Tribes and quit the Salvage Wood.
1796 R. Southey Hymn to Penates 11 In your holy train Jove proudly ranks.
1865 S. Ferguson Forging of Anchor i Fitfully you still may see the grim smiths ranking round.
2000 Bulletin Winter 6/2 An issue was raised about taxis ranking beyond the southern end of the taxi bay on High Street.
d. intransitive. Chiefly Military. To move or march in rank. Frequently with adverbs, as off, past, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military operations > evolution > [verb (intransitive)] > march > in rank
rank1817
1817 Times 26 July 3/2 The troops then fell into line, ranked off, and marched before his Royal Highness.
1832 Proposed Regulations Cavalry iii. 59 In ranking past by Threes there is to be a horse's length from croup to head.
1842 T. Carlyle On Heroes (ed. 2) ii. 107 Your cattle..come ranking home at evening time.
1905 Times 13 May 12/3 On ranking past the King all officers and drivers will salute.
1990 Independent (Nexis) 18 June 12 The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery and the Household Cavalry ranked past The Queen.
2.
a. transitive (in passive). To be surrounded, bounded, or lined with rows or ranks of something.
ΚΠ
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1490/1 The streets of Utricht being large and faire, were rankt and set with eight ensignes of burgers richlie appointed.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) i. i. 66 The Base o' th' Mount Is rank'd with all deserts, all kinde of Natures. View more context for this quotation
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 38 The Streets are sweet and clean, ranked with fine Mansions.
a1891 H. Melville Coll. Poems (1924) 335 Here...ranked with grass, a flower may dwell, Cheerful, if never high in feather.
1932 W. Faulkner Light in August xiii. 292 The eye was tricked into believing that the dingy shelves ranked with flyspecked tins, and the merchant himself behind the counter, had not moved.
1970 W. L. Morton in Mosaic 3 No. 3. 3 It was preeminently a landscape of abundance, whether when the fields were green with the new crop, or ranked with stooks at harvest, or black with fallow and fall ploughing.
b. transitive. To arrange (things) in a row or rows; to set in line; to put in order. In later use usually in passive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrangement in (a) row(s) or line(s > arrange in (a) row(s) or line(s [verb (transitive)]
rangec1450
rank1590
enrank1610
stringc1650
align1693
row1703
tier1889
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. vi. sig. Hh5v And euery sort is in a sondry bed Sett by it selfe, and ranckt in comely rew.
1650 Earl of Monmouth tr. J. F. Senault Man become Guilty 304 He sought for stone..he ranked them with Symmetry.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 128 He knew to rank his Elms in even rows. View more context for this quotation
1707 tr. J. B. Morvan de Bellegarde Reflexions upon Politeness of Manners 190 He spends all his Days in ranking and posturing his Books which he never reads, and cleansing the Dust from his Furniture.
1778 J. Reynolds Disc. Royal Acad. (1876) viii. 453 A plain space in the middle, and the groups of figures ranked round this vacuity.
1833 Fraser's Mag. 8 62 Exerting all his mind in ranking up flower-pots.
1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb v. 45 The fishers gettin'..the nets rankit oot.
1935 W. Faulkner Pylon 257 Most of the cars were back by then too, ranked into the ubiquitous blue-and-drab rampart.
1989 M. Stewart Martha Stewart's Christmas i. 15 (caption) Batter jugs holding the cider and the cognac were ranked along the windowsill.
2004 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 12 Feb. 4/1 The same surrounding suburban plain of toy-neat houses innumerably ranked along a maze of cul-de-sacs.
c. transitive. To divide into categories or classes according to type; to classify with others of a similar type.
ΚΠ
1597 H. Clapham Theol. Axioms sig. Eijv He rancks her in a Callinge and shames not man (who is differenced from them by the hie guifte of Reason) abasheth he not to be out of all callinge?
1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iii. ii. 117 If sower woe..needly will be ranckt with other griefes. View more context for this quotation
1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island vii. 88 The fruits of the flesh..may be ranked into foure companies, 1. of Unchastitie. 2. of Irreligion. 3. of Unrighteous[n]esse. 4. of Intemperance.
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding iii. iii. 196 Those Things we are acquainted with, and have ranked into Bands, under distinct Names.
1778 F. Burney Evelina I. xxviii. 220 Arguments which..will rather rank me as an hermit.
1784 C. Chauncy Benevolence of Deity iii. 195 They [sc. incorporeal beings] must, in all their different classes, have different mental powers: Otherwise, they could not be ranked into different orders.
1822 G. Wilkins et al. Body & Soul I. 227 One whose broad and squary form had once ranked him among the strong.
1879 Scribner's Monthly July 473/1 ‘Rudder Grange’ is fairly entitled to be ranked as a specific for all ills that have their origin in lowness of spirits.
1911 Encycl. Brit. III. 359/2 Next is a group which might be styled the Subiya-Tonga-Ila, though some authorities think that Tonga and Ila deserve to be ranked as an independent group.
1958 J. E. Morton Molluscs ix. 177 If..we are to rank the pyramidellids with opisthobranchs, we shall need a separate order.
1994 New Scientist 25 June 15/1 Virologists rank hosts into three classes.
d. intransitive. To have or take a place in a certain category or class; to be classified with others of the same type.
ΚΠ
1601 W. Cornwallis Ess. II. xlvi. sig. Hh4 He [sc. a writer] should ranke with the Constitutours of common-wealths.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) v. ii. 341 I pray you..Let that one Article ranke with the rest. View more context for this quotation
1754 G. Jeffreys tr. J. Vanière Country Farm i, in G. Jeffreys Misc. in Verse & Prose 185 The Master's Eye excels the best Manure To mend the Soil; unless he ranks with those, Who slight Improvement, and prefer Repose.
1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 465 A principle..That..Ranks as a virtue, and is yet a vice. View more context for this quotation
1797 Encycl. Brit. XV. 420/2 Portulaca, purslane: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the dodecandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 13th order, Succulentæ.
1805 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1837) IV. 359 Holkar never had ranked among the states of India.
1852 W. E. Gladstone Exam. Reply Neapolitan Govt. 25 They would..rank as enemies of order, and be added to the number of those who are the unfortunate subjects of the return.
1921 A. L. Smith Lichens v. 211 Besides these [carbohydrates], which rank as hexosans, Ulander found small quantities of pentosans and methyl pentosans.
1955 Trans. Philol. Soc. 1954 87 Cornish and polabisch [sic] exist in a modern period but, for the present purpose, they naturally cannot rank as ‘modern’ since they are no longer spoken.
1994 Jrnl. Canad. Hist. Assoc. 238 He also ranked as a militant supporter of the Conservatives.
3.
a. intransitive. To have a specified place or status within a hierarchy.
ΚΠ
1608 T. Middleton Your Fiue Gallants i. sig. A2v I rancke with chiefe Gallants.
a1640 P. Massinger Guardian (1655) v. i. 89 So dear I hold the memory of my friend, It shall rank with my daughters.
1745 Observ. conc. Navy 45 Colonels dispute the Right of Captains of Men of War ranking with them.
1787 G. Winter New Syst. Husbandry 32 Lime, when properly and judiciously applied, ranks first amongst the class of manures.
1828 T. Carlyle in Foreign Rev. 1 125 This play should rank high among that class of works.
1850 C. Merivale Hist. Romans under Empire I. xi. 520 Surenas ranked next to the king in birth, wealth, and distinction.
1904 Daily Chron. 30 Mar. 4/5 Of those not Samurai, the heimin, or commoners, the peasantry ranked first.
1956 P. Anderson in Astounding Sci. Fiction June 119/2 In spite of his claims to ambassadorial rank, Alak found himself ranking low—his only retinue was on ugly nonhumanoid.
1996 China Post (Taipei, Taiwan) 14 June 27/6 London..ranks world number three in futures and options trading.
b. transitive. To give a certain position in a sequence, series, or hierarchy to (a person or thing).
ΚΠ
1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. i. 7 To ranke euery head in the right order and proper place, according to the due manner of proceeding in Schooles.
1689 B. Keach Distressed Sion Relieved 54 'Tis rank'd as chief..In those black Muster-Rolls God does Record, Of grand offences.
1755 J. Ellis Ess. Nat. Hist. Corallines 56 Next in Order to the Corallines, may be ranked the Frutices coralloides, or Sea-shrubs.
1799 S. Turner Hist. Anglo-Saxons I. ii. vii. 298 Oswy is ranked by Bede the seventh..of the kings who preponderated in the Anglo-Saxon octarchy.
1848 Jrnl. Statist. Soc. 11 254 The principal University Libraries of Europe may be ranked as follows: 1. Goettingen, University Library..360,000 volumes.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 525 In ranking theories of physics first in the order of knowledge.
1904 ‘O. Henry’ in Metropolitan Feb. 749/2 His salary.., sordidly speaking, ranked him star boarder at the Peek's.
1987 Tennis Aug. 9/1 I played on the show-court against Buster Mottram, the British number 1, who was ranked 19 in the world at the time.
2003 Foreign Policy May–June 58/1 In ranking these countries' commitment to development, the CDI rewards generous aid giving, [etc.].
c. transitive. Statistics. To assign a rank (rank n.1 7d) to; to assign a position in a numerically ordered series.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > collect or employ statistics [verb (transitive)] > group or arrange data
rank1907
stratify1929
ordinate1962
bin1970
1907 Drapers' Company Res. Mem. (Biometric Ser.) 4 25 It is easier to rank individuals than to measure their attributes accurately.
1944 Jrnl. Anat. 78 185/1 The severity of the inflammation can easily be ranked, i.e. given an ordinal number.
1951 B. C. Brookes & W. F. L. Dick Introd. Statist. Method ix. 221 It is possible to rank depths of colour without requiring some form of graduated scale.
2001 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 15 May (e-Mail section) 5/1 They send your search question to all the best engines simultaneously and then rank the answers for you.
4.
a. transitive. Law (originally Scots Law). To place (a creditor) in order of precedence on the list of accredited claimants to a bankrupt estate.
ΚΠ
1681 [implied in: J. Dalrymple Inst. Law Scotl. (1981) iv. xxxvi. §3 Nominations of factors in competitions of many creditors, whether the ranking be past or not. (at ranking n.1 2a)].
1686 G. Mackenzie Observ. Acts Parl. 463 After all this, the Creditors go on in their multiple poinding, and being rank'd according to their due preference, the price is distributed amongst them accordingly.
1711 Acts Sederunt Scotl. (1740) I. 225 The Creditors shall..name the Lord..before whom their severall Rights and Interests are to be ranked.
a1768 J. Erskine Inst. Law Scotl. (1773) I. ii. 409 Adjudications led after the sale of the bankrupt's estate, are uniformly sustained in favour of personal creditors who are ranked ultimo loco.
1818 Edinb. Advertiser 14 Apr. 239 The trustee and arbiter for ranking the Creditors of Messrs. Fairholmes have appointed a further division to be made among them.
1859 J. Lorimer Handbk. Law Scotl. (1862) 307 All arrestments and poindings..shall be ranked pari passu.
1918 Univ. Pennsylvania Law Rev. & Amer. Law Reg. 66 233 In the Germanic system, the creditors were ranked according to the order of time in which their executions were levied.
1959 Earl Jowitt & C. Walsh Dict. Eng. Law II. 1474/1 The lands of an insolvent were sold and the creditors ranked on the proceeds for their claims.
2001 Daily Tel. 12 Dec. 32/2 In theory, the banks and bondholders are ranked equally in any list of Marconi's creditors.
b. intransitive. Law. Of creditors or claimants: to have a specified place in order of precedence as regards repayment.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > action of courts in claims or grievances > claim at law > [verb (intransitive)] > be placed in order of priority
rank1824
1824 J. Marshall in Rep. Circuit Court U.S.: 4th Circuit (1837) II. 504 When assets shall come to the hands of the administrators, the first question [is], whether these judgements should rank according to their date.
1883 Law Times Rep. 49 75/2 It was contended..that they were..creditors entitled to rank next after the outside creditors (if any), or even with them.
1921 Times 5 July 15/2 The company's creditors would rank on the whole company's estate in priority to any shareholder.
1975 Naples (Florida) Daily News 27 Feb. 1/8 It all now depends on what creditor ranks ahead of what creditor.
2007 Kalgoorlie (W. Austral.) Miner (Nexis) 2 Feb. 7 Company shareholders have traditionally ranked last when the spoils of a collapsed company have been divided, behind both secured and unsecured creditors.
c. intransitive. To have a sufficiently high grade or status within a particular system to qualify for something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > suit or be suitable for [verb (transitive)] > be adequate for the case or conditions > be suitable or eligible for
rank1928
1928 Daily Mail 3 Aug. 18/2 The new shares did not rank for the interim dividend.
1976 Milton Keynes Express 11 June 13/1 There may well be very considerable sums to be spent on essential repairs which will not rank for subsidy aid.
2007 Lab Business Week (Nexis) 22 July 1610 The Deferred Shares..carry no voting rights, [and] do not rank for dividends.
5.
a. transitive. U.S. (originally Military). To take precedence over; to outrank; (more generally) to be superior to.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being better or superior > [verb (transitive)]
to go before ——OE
overlightlOE
preferc1395
precede1485
precess1529
to take the wall (of a person)?1562
outshine1605
to have the place1659
to take the road of1670
rank1841
1841 Southern Literary Messenger 7 766/1 I have Mr. Sanford under my command—I rank him,..and then I have charge of the whole ship.
a1848 I. Roach Jrnl. in Pennsylvania Mag. (1893) 17 57 Col. Scott and Lt. Elliott both declared no one should go to rank me.
1877 Spirit of Times 24 Nov. 464/1 (advt.) For field, forest, or water shooting, it ranks any other brand, and it is equally serviceable for muzzle or breech loader.
1904 Delineator Dec. 933 The Secretary of State ranks all the other members of the Cabinet.
1951 S. Heym Eyes of Reason 246 She took in Mademoiselle's mind the place which..the illegitimate daughter of Archduke Ferdinand Karl had held—she ranked the others, so to speak.
2005 D. Coffey Sheridan's Lieutenants iii. 47 Torbert's appointment posed something of a problem, since Averell ranked him by seniority and refused to take orders from his junior.
b. transitive. U.S. Military. With out. To turn (a person) out of somewhere or deprive (a person) of something, by virtue of superior rank.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military organization > logistics > quartering > quarter (troops) [verb (transitive)] > deprive of quarters
rank1872
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > expel > specific people from a place, position, or possession > by virtue of superior rank
rank1872
1872 F. M. A. Roe Army Lett. (1909) 66 Faye has been turned out of quarters—‘ranked out’, as it is spoken of in the Army.
1891 C. King Trials of Staff Officer 184 We were ‘ranked’ out of those quarters presently.
1932 L. H. Nason Among Trumpets 13 What's the good of havin' three stripes if you can't rank somebody out of a bunk or horse or something?
1998 G. Astor Right to Fight xiii. 237 We [sc. the air force] got ranked out of everything, and the only thing left was the Isle of Capri.
c. transitive. U.S. (originally and chiefly in African-American use). To demonstrate one's superiority by disparaging, insulting, or humiliating (a person); to put (a person) down. Also with out, and intransitive with on. Cf. ranking n.1 2b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrespect > insult > [verb (transitive)]
heanc950
to say or speak (one) shamec950
to say or speak shame of, on, byc950
affrontc1330
dispersona1400
to say language against1423
insautc1425
contumely1483
cag1504
to put (a person) to villainya1513
fuffle1536
to bring, drive to scorn1569
ascorn1570
affrent1578
injure?a1600
insult1620
to put a scorn on, upon1633
upbraid1665
topa1700
chopse1854
burn1914
rank1934
1934 Amer. Speech 9 290/1 Negro slang... Rank, to kid a person..to harass.
1939 J. L. Dollard in Amer. Imago 1 289/1 ‘I ranked’ so-and-so, meaning ‘set him back on his heels’.
1957 New Yorker 21 Sept. 142 ‘He started to rank me,’ Benny said, meaning that the Stomper had been taunting him.
1978 Eng. Jrnl. Dec. 56/1 ‘We're ranking people out.’..‘What does that mean?’ I asked... ‘We're saying things about other people to put them down,’ answered one helpful student.
1991 M. Wiggins Evolution in Bet they'll miss us when we're Gone 124 Since this was my first party everybody ranked on me.
2003 H. Woodbury What Ever ii. ii. 48 Yo, Linda, don't be all rankin' on Bruce. He may o' been an asshole tuh you, but he was my fuckin' progenitor, right?
6. U.S. Criminals' slang. Now rare.
a. transitive. To spoil or thwart (something, esp. a criminal enterprise); to ruin.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > thwart or foil
false?c1225
confoundc1315
blenk?a1400
matea1400
interrupt1464
blench1485
fruster?a1513
frustrate?a1513
infatuate1533
disappoint1545
prevent1555
foila1564
blank1566
thwart1581
confute1589
dispurpose1607
shorten1608
foola1616
vain1628
balk1635
throwa1650
scotch1654
bafflea1674
crossbar1680
transverse1770
tomahawk1773
throttle1825
wreck1855
stultify1865
derail1889
to pull the plug1923
rank1924
1924 G. C. Henderson Keys to Crookdom 415 Rank, to blunder. To fizzle. To rank a job.
1937 C. Himes in Black on Black (1973) 125 The landlady..had sent Mr. Shelton on up to catch him there in the hopes of ranking Fay's play.
1941 D. W. Maurer in Amer. Speech 16 249/1 One time I forgot the name I was using and had to look at the stiff. That little slip ranked the play.
1974 ‘D. Gober’ Black Cop 136 You trying to rank my hustle.
b. transitive. To discover in the act of committing a crime. Also: to betray, inform on (a person).
ΚΠ
1927 P. C. Murphy Behind Gray Walls vii. 53 I was soon ‘ranked’ (detected) by the ‘bulls’.
1929 E. Booth Stealing through Life xii. 301 Don't run, and rank yourself—the fuzz don't know what's doin' yet.
1967 ‘Iceberg Slim’ Pimp viii. 156 ‘Now Kid, don't shoot your jib off at his pad.’.. ‘Don't worry “Top”. I won't rank us. I'll never forget you, Pal, for the cut in.’
1977 M. Torres in R. P. Rettig et al. Manny ii. 42/1 He just gets out on a limb time after time when he's hustling, and he scores and gets away with it when others get ranked and busted.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

rankv.4

Forms: 1600s ranck.
Origin: A borrowing from Latin. Etymon: Latin rancāre.
Etymology: < classical Latin rancāre to utter the natural cry of the tiger, of imitative origin. Perhaps compare earlier rank v.2
Obsolete. rare.
intransitive. Of a tiger: to roar.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Felidae (feline) > [verb (intransitive)] > roar (of tiger)
rank1607
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 709 She [sc. the female tiger] maketh..great lamentation vpon the Sea shoare howling, braying, and rancking.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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n.1a1325n.2c1400n.31709adj.adv.OEv.1?a1300v.2a1529v.31550v.41607
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