| 释义 |
rankn.1 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. the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrangement in (a) row(s) or line(s > [noun] > a line or row a1325 St. Denis (Corpus Cambr.) 40 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill (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 (1932) 175 [The lagartus] hath a grete mouth and on every iawe ij rankys of teethe. 1576 A. Fleming tr. C. Plinius Novocomensis in 249 Such a rancke and rowe of litigious causes..hange one vppon another, as linckes in a long chaine. 1590 E. Spenser i. xi. sig. K8v In either iaw Three ranckes of yron teeth enraunged were. a1616 W. Shakespeare (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 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 I The Tetrachord of the Ancients was a rank of four Strings. ?1790 N. Wyndham 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 (rev. ed.) Gloss. 1103/2 Quadrifarious, arranged in four rows or ranks. 1888 C. T. Jacobi 110 Rank, composing frames are generally arranged in rows or ranks. 1931 W. Faulkner xi. 104 The blind man..passed from view, the stick rattling lightly along the rank of empty stalls. 1954 O. Sitwell v. 126 The passing glimpse of the ranks of the dingy squat houses of Harlem. 1993 G. Ward (1994) viii. 99 The servants' staircase lay opposite the boys' bathroom: showers without doors, a rank of sterile white sinks. 1660 Specif. Organ Banqueting Room, Whitehall in G. Grove (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 (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 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 at Stop Furniture Stop. A stop..comprising two or more ranks of pipes. 1852 tr. J. J. Seidel 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 ii. xxi. 153 The most useful Mixture for a small organ is one of three ranks. 1954 (ed. 5) II. 304/2 The average cinema organ is quite a small instrument, having only about ten extended ranks of pipes. 1988 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 Spring 77/3 The Compton..had three manuals, six ranks of pipes and a melotone attachment. 1706 tr. L. Liger Compl. Florist in tr. F. Gentil 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 XXI. 1443 Neckera pumila... Leaves in two ranks, ovate, slightly undulated. 1858 A. Irvine 304 Lancashire Bog-Asphodel... Leaves radical, in tufts nearly as long as the stem, in two ranks. 1907 R. B. Hough 430 Leaves deciduous or persistent, arranged in five ranks. 1992 M. Ingrouille 215 The plant is flattened with two ranks of leaves large and overlapping. 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 society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicles (plying) for hire > [noun] > row of vehicles waiting to be hired 1829 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 21 May 3/6 The plaintiff, by cutting short through the rank of cabs, got the start of the coach. 1861 H. Mayhew (new ed.) III. 353/1 [The] small masters..are amongst the most respectable men of the ranks. 1930 D. L. Sayers i. 21 The taxi-driver Burke, who was standing on the rank in Guilford Street, was approached by Philip Boyes. 1978 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 207 Mary got a taxi..from the rank outside and told it to go to Anfield. society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > telephone equipment > [noun] > exchange > exchange equipment 1924 13 Rank of switches,..the switches which provide for any one stage of call selection. 1929 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 v. 119 If more than 1000 numbers are required, another rank of group selectors can be used. 2. 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 c1390 (?c1350) (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) (Trin. Cambr.) 4810 (MED) He sette the pepill in his arraye. A xx Rankys trewly for to accompt. 1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin (xlii. 5) David ment ranks: bycause they went..in orderly rowes when they came to the Tabernacle. 1597 R. Hooker v. lxxix. 248 A miserable ranke of poore lame and impotent persons. 1645 E. Waller 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 265 A ranck of wretched Youths, with pinion'd Hands. 1742 A. Pope 107 Courtiers and Patriots in two ranks divide, Thro' both he pass'd, and bow'd from side to side. 1779 H. Cowley 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 II. iii. 268 (stage direct.) [Chorus] dancing nimbly..in interlinking ranks. 1984 G. Jennings 54 I was separated..only by a rank of priests yammering their ritual pimpirimpàra. 1998 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. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. ii. 96 It is the right Butter-womens ranke to Market. View more context for this quotation 3. society > armed hostility > armed forces > [noun] society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > formation > [noun] > line a1533 Ld. Berners tr. (?1560) xxviii. sig. Eiiiv Arthur wente searchynge the renkes [printed renkthes; Fr. les rencs] and preses he encountred the erle of Foys. 1548 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 sig. Fiij Let 44 ranckes of unarmed Pikes..be bestowed behind these armed rankes. a1616 W. Shakespeare (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 (new ed.) iv. xx. 356 They resemble a rank of Souldiers in battle array. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil 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 II. ix. 320 The march was to be by ten in a rank. a1771 T. Gray Imit. Propertius in (1814) II. 87 To paint the hero's toil, the ranks of war. 1799 (ed. 3) 324 The officers..will each successively..close his rear rank. 1813 W. Scott i. 17 On Marston heath Met, front to front, the ranks of death. 1862 G. C. Strong 65 We were formed..into two ranks at parade rest. 1935 (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 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 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. 1577 N. Breton sig. C A Garde of Geese, and Ganders, in one rancke. 1594 W. Shakespeare 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 sig. C2v The oceans monarch..The great controller of the whaly ranckes. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil 137 At once the Ranks of swelling Streams divide. View more context for this quotation 1739 J. Thomson iv. i. 40 They let him pass thro' Ranks of glaring Eyes. 1787 G. Colman 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 (ed. 10) 327 The linden broke her ranks and rent The woodbine wreaths that bind her. 1895 G. Gissing 19 May (1994) V. 333 When a word has been so grievously mauled, it should be allowed to drop from the ranks. 1936 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 (1996) 47 Commanded by a gale-force Southwest wind; long ranks of white-plumed horses advance against the land. society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > board game > chess > [noun] > chessboard > rank or file > rank 1597 G. B. tr. M. H. Vida Scacchia Ludus in tr. Damiano da Odemira 22 Moouing a Pawne from left hand side, which on the fourth ranke stood. 1618 J. Barbier (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 (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 97 The eight principal Figures, are to be plac'd in the lowest Rank of the Board, next to the Gamester. 1799 P. Pratt 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 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 4 The rank upon which the player's Pieces are ranged is his first rank. 1914 5 Mar. 8/5 [In medieval chess] When a pawn reaches the eighth rank it can only become a queen. 1957 I. A. Horowitz v. 43 Eventually, when the Black Pawn reaches the seventh rank, protected by the Black King, White will be stalemated. 1991 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. 1604 R. Parsons 108 The Catholiks do behould for their comfort, the whole ranks of ancient Fathers through euery age. 1613 G. Markham 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 768 'Twould thin the ranks of the poetic tribe. 1855 W. H. Prescott I. ii. vii. 526 He at once enrolled himself in the ranks of the opposition. 1874 J. R. Green vii. §6. 399 Scholars like Hooker, gentlemen like George Herbert, could now be found in the ranks of the priesthood. 1938 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 20 July 20/2 The 69 criminal indictments have placed him squarely in the ranks of history's great stock swindlers. 1992 3 Aug. 7/2 The ranks of the unemployed swell. society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > common soldier > [noun] > collectively society > society and the community > social class > the common people > the common people of any group > [noun] 1731 P. Frowde iv. 47 Such was their low'ring Look; when from the Ranks A delegated Captain thus bespoke me. 1765 C. Smart tr. 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 (1837) IV. 464 The irregularity of Colonel Blunt having three servants from the ranks. 1845 8 127 I've flattered Peel; he smiles back thanks... But still he keeps me in ‘the ranks’. 1897 16 June 7/7 Native ranks, except three, doing well. 1919 J. Reed iv. 80 Kerensky opened the officers' schools to the ranks, to any soldier who could pass an examination. 1942 1 Sept. 2/3 The R.E.M.E. tradesman in the ranks will be given the new title of ‘craftsman’. 1971 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 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. the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > arrangement in (a) row(s) or line(s > [noun] 1567 W. Painter xxx. f.375 The maiden steppeth forth to make the third in ranke. 1572 J. Higgins (rev. ed.) (at cited word) Goe in rancke, or raye, incede ordine. To come into rancke, or raye, incurrere in ordinem. 1598 R. Barret ii. 25 He must be carefull that his souldiers breake not out of ranke. 1624 P. Massinger iv. iv. sig. I3v A part of your honours ruffe stands out of rancke. 1647 N. Bacon 46 The Legate..soon reduced him into ranke. 1704 iii. 25 They tumbled headlong over the Stools and Chairs, which I had set out of rank for some such purpose. 1796 163 The serrefiles..place themselves in rank behind their squadrons, at half a horse distance. 1852 R. S. Surtees 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 59 I saw the Hessian soldiers that were forming into rank. 1904 6 79 Plate 52 of the imperfect prong steps out of rank. 1965 A. R. Ammons 17 Let thoughts & emotions fall behind into rank. 1998 (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. the world > relative properties > kind or sort > [noun] > a kind, sort, or class 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay 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 (1849) I. 438 Now I sal draw thir concupiscences to certain ranks. 1610 A. Willet 294 The diuers opinions..may be sorted into three ranks. 1660 T. Stanley III. i. 47 A Pythagorean of the Acousmatick ranck. 1725 I. Watts ii. iii. 348 The Authority of Men is the Spring of another Rank of Prejudices. 1774 T. Warton 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 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. society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > [noun] society > society and the community > social class > nobility > rank > [noun] > person of > collectively ?c1430 J. Wyclif (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 (1889) 1st Ser. IX. 213 [Among the delinquents there are] personis of rank and calling. 1663 6 We swear like Gentlemen of Rank, Curse, Damn, Sink. 1742 W. Shenstone xi Some with Rank she grac'd, The Source of Children's, and of Courtier's Pride. 1776 91/1 I heard..several persons of rank had been to pay salams. 1830 I. D'Israeli III. v. 75 The pride of rank was attended by one of its peculiar infirmities. 1883 E. A. Freeman 172 The rank and fashion of the older country does not shut itself up in a town. 1928 L. P. Smith 40 Some of these type-names give evidence of the impression made on foreigners by the travelling Englishmen of rank. 1968 J. Lock xv. 129 Most days we wouldn't see any rank. 1972 J. R. T. Pollard in G. W. 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 Spring 14 Tiraz textiles created as wearable evidence of courtly affiliations and signs of rank. society > armed hostility > military organization > [noun] > chain of command 1583 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 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 36 A Captain of a Man of War of the Line, is equal in Rank to a Colonel. 1761 F. Sheridan II. 344 He was an officer..having lately been promoted in the army to the rank of major. 1802 C. James (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 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. (1925) 235 He had decided to evacuate Camp III for the present and retire all ranks to the Base Camp. 1969 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 (1991) v. 81 He had a love of rectitude and rules, a chronic dislike of all police officers under the rank of chief inspector. society > society and the community > social class > [noun] > distinction of class > level or grade 1585 Queen Elizabeth I in W. B. Scoones (1880) 29 It becometh, therefor, all our rencq to deale sincerely. 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie (1888) I. 347 He was bot of the mid ranck of nobles. 1611 C. Tourneur (new ed.) i. sig. B2 To put me in the habite of my ranque. 1673 W. Cave 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 I. ii. xvii. 113 Reasonable and well-educated Men of all Ranks. 1791 A. Radcliffe I. vi. 216 An air of dignity, which declared him to be of superior rank. 1814 J. Austen 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 347 Few men commanded greater respect in all ranks of Greek society. 1915 E. Sapir in 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 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 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. the world > relative properties > kind or sort > [noun] > a kind, sort, or class > according to quality 1558 J. Knox 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 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 144 A Castle bearing such ranke as few are before it, but divers behind it in magnificence. 1683 W. Cave 223 Reducing it unto the rank of a Village, disnominating it, and not suffering it to bear the name of Caesar. 1704 III. xi. 159 The Convertine, a Ship of the second Rank, that carried seventy Guns. 1774 O. Goldsmith IV. 64 Look through the different ranks of animals, from the largest to the smallest. 1851 J. Ruskin (1874) I. Pref. 8 To place in its true rank the general Gothic of the 13th century, in Italy. 1882 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 15 June 88/2 All fifteen of these chief surgeons are in the top rank of their profession. 2001 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’. 1763 J. Hill 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 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 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 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 44 This group of wheats cannot properly be given even the rank of a subspecies botanically. 1950 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 15 Sister groups of the same taxonomic rank resulting from the splitting of an ancestral lineage. 1764 tr. M. Mons 99 The whole suit of hearts remain except the 6, and the cards have the same rank as at quadrille. ?1770 tr. Abbé Bellecour (new ed.) 176 The Tricon is three Tens, three Nines, three Fours; or any other three Cards of the same rank. 1857 T. Wright 689/2 Murnival, four cards of the same rank. 1934 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 99 If the first player follows with a third card of the rank he scores 6 for a ‘pair royal’. 2005 (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. the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [noun] > groups or arrangements of data > relating to rank or order 1883 F. Galton 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 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 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 (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. 1954 30 8 The arrows indicate valence and relative rank (‘presupposition’)... Thus a formula such as noun ← adjective is to be read ‘adjective presupposes noun’. 1961 M. A. K. Halliday in 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 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 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. the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > a layer > [noun] > horizontal layer or tier 1573 R. Lever 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 iv. f. 179v It is yenough to haue three rankes of them, one aboue the other. 1667 J. Milton 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 i. iii. xix. 178 One single rank or story of roots is enough. 1735 tr. C. Rollin IV. 342 Ranks of oars in the modern galleys. 1814 W. Scott 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’ 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 i. 28 Quinqueremes did not have five ranks [of oars] but were something altogether other. the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > [noun] > rank 1673 J. Collins Let. Apr. in H. Oldenburg (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 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 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 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 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 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 (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. the world > the earth > minerals > types of mineral > hydrocarbon minerals > [noun] > coal > degree of hardness 1914 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 30 55 Metamorphic rank and grade are synonymous terms denoting the stage of metamorphism reached. 1964 R. Moyer ii. 10 As a general rule, coal rank decreases progressively as one moves from east to west. 1991 R. Goldring iv. 68 Very bright, splintery coal is likely to be of high rank. 2011 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. 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] ?1575 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara (new ed.) 372 Hee went to fast..fortie dayes & fortie nights on a ranke. the world > space > relative position > state or position of being parallel > parallel with the side [phrase] > abreast 1588 R. Parke tr. J. G. de Mendoza 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 sig. D4 Range all thy Swannes faire Thames together on a ranke. 1648 T. Gage x. 29 Cortez setting all fear aside, with three hundred Souldiers on a ranke, entred the way in the wall. 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] 1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo iii. f. 38v All the women in the towne runne thyther of a ranke, as it were in procession. society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > formation > [adverb] 1581 W. Averell sig. Hvi This holy route, by two in ranke, dyd orderly passe by. 1615 W. Goddard sig. Biij Come Wiseman then; come marcht in rank with mee. 1711 Fingall MSS in (1885) App. v. 167 The entrance is too narrow, as not capable of above four men in ranck. 1779 iii. 191 Two horses in rank move quicker..than three in file. P2. 1597 T. Beard 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 1 Chron. xii. 33 Fifty thousand, which could keep rank . View more context for this quotation 1652 S. Rutherford xxi. 322 The carnall minde neither will, nor can keep rank as an obedient souldier. 1735 L. Theobald iv. i. 33 My Life keeps Rank with yours. 1861 E. Atherstone xviii. 304 Keep rank no longer: fly as best ye may. 1880 R. Browning ii No man but..kept rank and fought away In his tribe and file. 1900 K. L. Bates i. 7 The entire line, keeping rank, curves and twists behind the leader. 1972 24 May 16/2 Even the Unionist MP's at Westminster cannot keep rank. 1995 D. McLintock tr. C. Meier xi. 281 The fighting was fierce; they could not stand firm or keep rank. 1607 E. Topsell 318 The horssemen had broken ranke and were assunder. 1706 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 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 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 (1920) 2 None will break ranks, though nations trek from progress. 1969 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 Feb. 45/4 Hounds have broken rank. They see the Master..approaching and surge towards him. society > society and the community > social class > be ranked socially [verb (intransitive)] > climb socially society > armed hostility > military organization > enlistment or recruitment > appointment to rank > be appointed to rank [verb (intransitive)] > rise from ranks 1798 H. Brand Conflict v. iv, in 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 (1967) 106 Mr. Beveridge [has]..been effecting singular cures..and rose from the ranks—as Jephson did. 1895 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 ii. iii. 84 There was no doubt about the fact that Woolf had risen from the ranks. 1977 2 June 15/7 St. George..is acclaimed as a soldier who rose from the ranks to become a tribune. 2002 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.) 1591 W. Garrard & R. Hitchcock 84 Keeping his ranck-fellowes justlie on both sides. b. (In sense 6.) Also objective. 1888 5 Jan. The retiring officers of the W. R. C. were also presented with rank badges. 1946 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 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. 1915 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 99 11253/2 Investigators divided females into high- and low-ranking categories and provided aggregate progeny sex-ratio values for the two rank classes. 1895 A. J. Butler tr. F. Ratzel i. 54 When the two halves of the race..show no recognition of rank-distinctions. 1969 20 Sept. 5 ‘There's no rank distinction here,’ he explained. 1996 C. Humphrey & U. Onon iv. 169 The rank distinction between older and younger is as salient here as the difference between sexes. 1925 P. C. Hsieh v. 108 The same contribution from a rank holder would entitle him to a corresponding promotion. 2002 22 Sept. 11/4 (advt.) Eligibility : JEE/AIEEE rank holders or min. 45% marks in PCM in a single seat at 10+2 level. 1874 J. Napier 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 iv. 76 They were entitled to wear the ‘curl’ on their gold lace rank-marks. 2004 D. P. Lafayette 42 They stared at each ribbon and rank mark before discarding it. They ripped offstripes and even brass buttons on uniforms. 1974 ‘G. Black’ xii. 212 Janey, in her neat uniform without rank tabs. 2006 (Nexis) 19 June 60 The Army should produce rank tabs for noncommissioned officer and officer leaders that have a bright hunter green background. 1855 Nov. 388 Useless aristocracies, truckling, rank-worshipping, gold-adoring middle classes, and an impoverished people have been their punishment. 1904 J. Douglas 385 Grubbing, rank-worshipping British slave of convention claims to be the absolute humourist! c. (In sense 7e.) Also instrumental and objective. 1966 G. N. Leech 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 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. 1965 J. C. Catford 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 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 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. 1961 M. A. K. Halliday in 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 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). 1969 A. R. Meetham 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. iv. 188 Circumstantial status may also be realized by another rank unit, ie postpositional phrases. C2. 1768 A. Dow tr. M. Firishtah 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 76 Rank-breaking Achilles. 1946 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 Winter 72 A fine what-the-hell, rank-breaking, icon-busting quality sweeps through this polemic, every word of which carries conviction. 1956 18 Aug. 2/5 Elsewhere around the convention fringes, gestures of good-will rank-closing were the order of the day. 2002 17 June 14 Corporate rank-closing on issues of directorship is unfortunately the norm. the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [noun] > groups or arrangements of data > relating to rank or order 1907 (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 xvi. 391 A second coefficient of rank correlation which has certain advantages may be obtained as follows. 2001 88 1031/1 Non-normality in the distribution of species means required the use of rank correlations. the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [noun] > groups or arrangements of data > relating to rank or order 1904 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 (ed. 12) iii. 89 ‘Rho’ is a measure of correlation, known as the rank-difference measure. 1972 J. Kagan & E. Havemann xiii. 485 In some cases it is convenient to use the rank-difference method, which produces a different coefficient of correlation. 1997 B. 264 743/2 We then apply Mann–Whitney U-tests to ask whether the two sets of rank differences are different. the world > plants > part of plant > leaf > [adjective] > having particular shape 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens iii. xlvi. 381 Each leafe is ranke toothed or snipt round about. 1694 (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 1616 J. Bingham in tr. Ælian xxviii. 133 The rest follow ranke-wise keeping their distance. 1677 R. Cary ii. i. i. xx. 154 Several were in posture of time standing abreast, or rank-wise. 1964 7 49 The species belonging to this class were the highest rank-wise. 1998 J. Moore Diary 23 Oct. in J. Kantor et al. (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.2Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: rank adj. Obsolete. rare. the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > [noun] > capacity for moral effort or endurance c1400 (?c1380) 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.3Origin: Of unknown origin. Etymology: Origin unknown. Perhaps compare early modern German rank sickness of the throat, especially in pigs (see rangen n.). Obsolete. rare. the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of birds > [noun] > other disorders of birds 1709 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. 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. the mind > emotion > pride > [adjective] the mind > emotion > pride > arrogance > [adjective] society > authority > lack of subjection > [adjective] > intractable or recalcitrant > and haughty OE (Claud.) xxi. 18 Gyf ænig man hæbbe modigne sunu & rancne [L. protervum], ðe nelle hyran his fæder & his meder. OE (Tiber. B.i) anno 1006 Þær mihton geseon Wincesterleode rancne here & unearhne, ða hi be hiora gate to sæ eodon. OE Wulfstan (Hatton) 135 To manege weorðaþ to wlance & ealles to rance & to gylpgeorne. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 9622 Þatt follc..haffde beon till þa Heh follc. & rannc onn eorþe. c1300 (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 (1839) 341 (MED) So were theih daungerouse for wlaunke And siththen bicom ful reulich, that thanne weren so ranke. c1400 (?c1380) (1920) 455 (MED) Þat watz þe raven so ronk, þat rebel watz ever. a1425 in S. Wenzel (1978) 145 (MED) Þat body þat was so ronk and loud, Of alle men is i-hated. a1450 (1885) 220 (MED) Þer is a ranke swayne Whos rule is noȝt right. 1568 A. Scott (1896) i. 188 This ȝeir..sall aryse Rowtis of þe rankest þat in Europ ringis. 1616 T. Adams 40 He is a most ranke Churle, for he drinkes often, and yet would haue no man pledge him. 1692 ‘J. Curate’ 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. the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > [adjective] OE Ælfric 1st Let. to Wulfstan (Corpus Cambr. 201) in B. Fehr (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 (1914) 26 Ne ge ne sceolon beon rancce, mid hringgum geglengede. the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > [adjective] > rapidly or suddenly the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > [adjective] > moving with impetuous speed or headlong the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > [adjective] > abounding in or having abundance a1250 (?a1200) (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 (1872) 92 (MED) Ne geyneþ vs no grene..Ne þe ronke racches þat ruskit þe ron. c1400 (?c1380) 1167 Of raas þaȝ I were rasch and ronk, Ȝet rapely þerinne I watz restayed. c1540 (?a1400) 10435 No help comes, Ne no rynk hym to rescow, but his ronk fos. 1565 J. Jewel 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 iv. f. 64 The rank riding, and the greit turnament. 1635 F. Quarles 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 Eating blood naturally begets a savage temper, makes the spirits rank and fiery. ?1735 ‘H. Stanhope’ i. 41 At last a Rank Storm ensued. 1770 R. Cumberland i. i. 1 It blows a rank storm. a1803 May Collin iv, in F. J. Child (1892) IV. viii. 442/1 They came to a rank river, Was raging like the sea. 1827 J. Barrington I. 248 May he have a dark night—a lee shore—a rank storm. 3. the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > [adjective] > robust the world > animals > birds > parts of or bird defined by > [adjective] > having wings > of particular type ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 13263 Was no helm with stele so rank þat his suerd ne þorgh it sank. c1440 (?a1400) 1764 (MED) All þe rowte ryngez Of ryues and raunke stele and ryche golde-maylez. 1508 (Chepman & Myllar) sig. bviv Ryngis of rank steill rattillit and rent. c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece v. vi. f. 58 Certane wycht and rank men tuke hym be the myddill. c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 188v Þai token..Relikes full Rife and miche ranke godes. 1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini ii. lxxvi. 355 That Pigeon, which..hath the rankest wing. 1710 ii. 38 Ravens, cutting the Air at every Stroke of their rank Wing. 1824 R. Gilchrist (ed. 2) 5 Archy lang was hale an' rank, the King o' laddies braw. 1874 C. Rogers 103 That rank rover Robene Hude. 1900 J. Good Rank, coarse, strong. 1822 July 206 The practice of bundling (which has taken such rank hold of the susceptible minds of the English tourists in America). 1848 Rank, strong, clinching. Take rank hold. 1860 S. E. Todd 427 At every revolution [of a circular saw] one side will sometimes take such a rank hold as to produce a jar. 1921 27 Oct. 2/3 Measures to prevent the infliction of the death penalty have certainly taken rank hold in North Carolina. 1970 23 Apr. 11/1 They..feel the desire to take a rank hold on life through hunting. 1951 24 May 20/2 [The horse named] Alarmed was rank. 1977 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 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. the world > life > source or principle of life > age > maturity > [adjective] OE Ælfric (Julius) (1900) II. 380 He funde..fif mædena him to, wlitige and rance, to wunigenne mid him. c1400 (?c1380) (1920) 869 (MED) Hit arn ronk, hit arn rype, and redy to manne. c1540 J. Bellenden in tr. H. Boece 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 (1821) II. 189 To bring all rank men [L. integris corporibus..puberes adulescentes virosque]..presoneris to him. the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by good growth > [adjective] > flourishing or luxuriant in growth the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > [adjective] > profuse, luxurious, or lush the world > life > biology > biological processes > development, growth, or degeneration > [adjective] > growth > vigorous in growth the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by good growth > [adjective] > excessive in growth or too vigorous the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > largeness > [adjective] > of large volume or bulky > and coarse a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 2105 .vii. eares wexen fette of coren On an busk, ranc and wel tidi. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add.) f. 164 Gras and herbes þat growen in valeyes..ben generaliche more ranke & fatte [L. pinguiora]. c1400 (?c1390) (1940) 513 (MED) Blossumez bolne to blowe Bi rawez rych & ronk. c1475 (c1450) P. Idley (Cambr.) (1935) ii. A. 1289 (MED) A secrete place..she knewe, With grete hauthorn busshes, roughe and ranke. 1526 W. Bonde ii. sig. Ovii Our vyne waxeth ranke and must nedes be cutte. 1544 T. Phaer (1553) T iij Take a good handful of ranke & lusty rew. 1608 W. Shakespeare xviii. 3 Crownd with ranke femiter and furrow weedes. View more context for this quotation 1676 J. Evelyn 14 Provided no rank Weeds, or predatitious Plants..be suffered to..exhaust it. 1777 W. Robertson Hist. Amer. iv, in (1813) I. 257 The woods are choked with its rank luxuriance. 1850 R. Gordon-Cumming I. ix. 195 The male lion is adorned with a long, rank, shaggy mane. 1892 3 Sept. 290/1 This year the roses grew a little rank, and with an over-abundance of leaves. 1933 May 70/1 There was a rank patch of jimpson weeds behind our house. 1953 S. Beckett iii. 154 Flowers that..never die, or die only after many seasons, strangled by the rank grass. 1998 May 10/2 Sheep and horses..create very short lawns among the rank grass. †7. the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > [adjective] a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) 5093 (MED) Yn sum man vnkyndehede ys so rank Þat he ne may cunne no man þank. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Ellesmere) (1877) §913 The humours been to ranke and habundaunt in the body of man. a1450 (?1400) in J. Kail (1904) 6 (MED) In blossemed buske I bode boote In ryche array, with ryches rank. c1540 (?a1400) 8511 He hade no ruthe of hor remyng, ne þe rank teris. 1579 E. Spenser July 211 When folke bene fat, and riches rancke, It is a signe of helth. 1632 W. Lithgow vii. 301 The rank serene or dew of the night..refresheth all kindes of growing things. 1769 J. Brown I. 374/2 In warm countries where it selddom rains, rank dews do exceedingly refresh and moisten the ground. 1830 J. Grant 46 At mornin' grey when the dews waur rank. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) 21024 (MED) O reson was nan sa ranc [a1400 Gött. rang; a1400 Trin. Cambr. ronke]. a1450 (1978) 101 Ȝif an hors be rancke of blod þen let him blod in his necke. c1540 (?a1400) 9204 Of Rent & of Riches rankir þan I. 1575 R. B. sig. Bij I neuer heard one so rancke of rudness. 1652 C. B. Stapylton tr. Herodian iv. 29 Rank of successe he was so puft with pride. 8. Extremely or excessively great or large. the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > largeness > [adjective] > excessively large the world > space > extension in space > expansion or enlargement > [adjective] > distending > swelling > swollen ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) (1996) i. l. 9585 He wex blak & bolned rank & died. 1530 J. Palsgrave 322/1 Rammysshe, yll savoured as a man or beest that is to rancke. 1568 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 sig. C1v Churles..fat their rancke gutts whilest poore wretches pine. 1612 M. Drayton vii. 106 Teame lastly thither com'n with water is so ranke. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. i. 64 To dyet ranke Mindes, sicke of happinesse. 1696 E. Phillips (new ed.) Sow,..a term of Reproach given many times to a fat, lazy, rank, big breasted Woman. the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > [adjective] > excessive or too great in amount or degree c1400 (?c1380) 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) (Thornton) (1844) 200 (MED) Nowther of tham myghte other stille, Thaire sorowe it was fulle ranke! c1540 (?a1400) 13902 The ruerde wax ranke of þat rught fare. 1633 T. Heywood Eng. Trav. iii, in (1874) IV. 44 To stop this clamor ere it grow too wrancke. society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > high price or rate > [adjective] 1604 W. Shakespeare iv. iv. 13 Nor will it yeeld..A rancker rate, should it be sold in fee. 1660 W. Sprigg 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 V. 81 A Modus which is too rank, is void. 1765 W. Blackstone II. iii. §3. 30 The modus must not be too large, which in law is called a rank modus. 1885 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 (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). the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > an assemblage or collection > [adjective] > densely packed c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) 1319 (MED) Alexander..Ridis euen þurȝe þe route þar rankest þai were. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil iii. ix. 4 Than suddanlie, furth of the woddis ronk, We se a strange man. 1579 E. Spenser July 4 A goteheard..Whose straying heard them selfe doth shrowde Emong the bushes rancke. 1621 R. Brathwait ii. sig. N1 There's before mine eye A webb, a mist, so rancke, I cannot spie A Thiefe. 1645 S. Rutherford xxi. 232 The world is a bushie and rank wood. 1714 A. Stringer 186 There are some Grounds in Ireland that have been covered with very rank Woods. 1788 W. Marshall Provincialisms E. Yorks. in II. 347 Rank, standing in close order; thick upon the ground, as corn in the field, or trees in a wood. 1823 W. Scoresby 240 Endangered, while among rank ice, by a gale of wind. 1864 E. Lynn Linton 200 Where the sheep are ‘rank’ on the fell sides. 1877 M. Egglestone 4 Ther stickin' as rank ez flesh-flees on a sheep pluk. 1928 A. E. Pease 101/2 Ye've setten 'em ower rank be half. the world > relative properties > number > plurality > great number, numerousness > [adjective] > abundant, numerous 1545 R. Ascham 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 sig. Ciii Theues..were in euery place so ryffe and ranke. 1642 D. Rogers To Rdr. sig. B3v Eighteene of this rable, all rife and ranke among us. 1657 ii. ii. sig. C4 Seek such, they are rank and thick. 1868 J. C. Atkinson Rank, numerous, abundant, of frequent occurrence. 1904 in V. 34/2 As rank as moats i' t'sun. 1970 16 July 151/1 ‘When foxes is rank, marts is scarce,’ said the old fell farmers. the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > [adjective] society > occupation and work > equipment > cutting tool > [adjective] > specific attributes 1625 H. Mainwaring (MS BL Add. 21571) 171 A rank keel is when a ship hath a deep keel. 1678 J. Moxon 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 at Keel When a Ship hath a deep Keel, she is said to have a rank Keel. 1867 F. Francis i. 14 The barb is so rank..that it often takes some time to unhook the fish. 1884 17 July 32 Whether the tool used was a roughing tool with rank feed or a finish tool with fine feed. 1904 V. 34/2 Stones broken too small for the traffic on a road would be described as ‘not ronk enough’. 1961 F. H. Burgess 168 Rank keel, one that is very deep. III. Of a gross, luxuriant, or coarse quality. the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > heinousness > [adjective] the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > foulness or filth > [adjective] the mind > emotion > hatred > object of detestation (person or thing) > [adjective] society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > [adjective] > extremely wicked society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > moral or spiritual impurity > indecency > [adjective] > extremely c1400 (?c1380) (1920) 760 (MED) If þat twenty be trwe, I..relece alle þat regioun of her ronk werkkez. a1450 (a1400) (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 (1843) 172 The rude ranke Scottes, lyke dronken dranes. c1540 (?a1400) 11775 Couetous, by custome of old..rote is & rankist of all the rif syns. 1593 G. Harvey sig. D Capricious Dialogues of rankest Bawdry. a1616 W. Shakespeare (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 IV. 112 Keeping a House of Debauchery, and rank Bawdry. 1708 J. Collier 43 Permit Prostitutes and Bawds to make their Character in rank Language. 1743 E. Young 9 Hand in hand lead on the rank Debauch. 1779 H. Downman 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 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 i. 5 The rank vocabulary of malice and hate. 1901 1 Feb. Young fellows..Fall into the habit so damnably rank, Their language is that of the slums! 1958 24 Apr. Some rank language is used around the taxicab stand. 2003 (Nexis) 26 July 55 A week of rank behaviour, which has heaped shame upon us all. the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > [adjective] > rotten or putrefied the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > dirtiness > corruption or putridness > [adjective] > corrupt or putrid a1425 (a1396) R. Maidstone Paraphr. Seven Penitential Psalms (BL Add. 39574) 233 in M. Day (1921) 29 (MED) Be my woundes roten and rank..Can I noght bot mercy cry. 1579 S. Gosson Ep. Ded. sig. ☞5 Yeelding the ranke fleshe to the Chirurgions knife. 1623 J. Webster v. ii Phisitians that apply horse-leiches to any rancke swelling. 1637 J. Milton 2 The ranck vapours of this Sin-worne mould. 1685 J. Dryden tr. Lucretius iii, in 71 Nor cou'd the Lobes of his rank liver swell To that prodigious Mass for their eternal meal. 1715 C. Johnson iv. ii. 53 Thy Inside contains a weak Indulgence only to the Overflowings of a rank Gall. 1798 H. Summersett p. viii Tread o'er green skulls, rank flesh and crumbling bones. 1827 R. Emmons 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 I. ii. 32 Corrupt civilisation which had grown up in the rank climate of that deep descent. 1906 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 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 (Nexis) 8 Oct. 13 Months' worth of sticky, rank residue has accumulated in the bottom of the organic-matter bucket. 13. the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > earth or soil > soil qualities > [adjective] > rank tr. Palladius (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 (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 f. xiv The moystenes of the dong shall cause the grounde to be ranke ynough. 1609 W. Shakespeare 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 sig. K2v In som rank grounds weeds get up so fast that the corn cannot grow. 1726 J. Laurence 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 (1789) 219 Our British soil is over rank, and breeds Among the noblest flowers a thousand pois'nous weeds. 1789 G. White 2 A rank clay, that requires the labour of years to render it mellow. 1821 R. Southey ix To weed out noxious customs rooted deep In a rank soil, and long left seeding there. 1861 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 9 Nov. The land is at first too ‘rank’ to grow corn or even root crops. 1938 ‘S. Smith’ 16 The clay Rank with long rains Gives way. 1991 xli. 20 Imperial adventure, it seems, is rooted in the rank soil of dispossession and paternal rejection. the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by good growth > [adjective] > covered with luxuriant growth c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) 3060 As fele..As risonis in a ranke fild quen riders it spilken. a1538 T. Starkey (1989) 66 When they [sc. sheep] are closyd in ranke pasturys. 1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin (xxii. 14) The hill of Basan was ennobled for battling and rank pastures. 1612 M. Drayton xiii. 222 Meadowes hugely ranke. 1647 H. More i. 44 Thus in the wicked wench rank fields do grow Of Rapine, Riot, Lust, and Covetize. 1661 T. Fuller v. v. 82 The countrey doth affoard rich dirt, plump grain Rank Meadows, Fatter then the sweating swain. 1735 W. Somervile ii. 29 In hopes Of plenteous Forage, near the ranker Mead. 1791 S. T. Coleridge Happiness in 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 I. vi. 44 A small garden, rank with apleringy, and other fragrant herbs. 1890 G. A. Henty 209 The patch..though now rank with weeds, had evidently been carefully cultivated. 1913 D. H. Lawrence xiii. 357 The sea-meadows rank with herbage, were stark enough to rejoice his soul. 1966 W. Percy v. ii. 239 It was a heedless prodigal land, the ditches rank and befouled, weeds growing through the junk. 2001 (Nexis) 10 July 10 There are tumbledown walls, neglected hedgerows, rank land. the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > poison > [adjective] > virulence (of poison) c1440 (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 ii. iv. 37 Full of vennome and rank poyson. a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil (1557) ii. sig. Bi Whose sacred fillettes all be sprinkled were With filth of gory blod, and venim rank. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy viii. xviii. 294 Certain dames of Rome..boiled and tempered ranke poisons (to kill their husbands). 1661 J. Evelyn i. 8 Such as by assuefaction have made the rankest poysons their most familiar Diet. 1704 tr. P. Dubé 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 (ed. 2) I. 300 Cowbane..is one of the rankest of our vegetable poisons... Cows often eat it and are killed by it. 15. the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > fetor > [adjective] 1479 Earl Rivers tr. (Caxton) i. i Thy flessh shal be more ranke in stinche, than the flessh of a rotyne hownde. a1529 J. Skelton (1843) 540 She brought a bore pygge; The fleshe therof was ranke. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens v. iv. 549 The ranke stinking Goate, or stinking Motherwort. 1604 W. Shakespeare iii. iii. 36 O my offence is ranck, it smels to heauen. View more context for this quotation 1615 G. Sandys 148 They are generally fat, and ranke of the sauors which attend vpon sluttish corpulency. 1656 J. Smith 346 After that, add Discussives, as rank nuts. 1725 D. Defoe i. 91 Our Men made some Butter..but it grew rank and oily. 1741 J. Campbell 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 478 Boiling, Dr. Cheyne observes, draws more of the rank, strong juices from meat. 1800 S. T. Coleridge tr. F. Schiller i. iv. 24 Pirates,..crowded in the rank and narrow ship. 1852 H. D. Thoreau 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 ii. 2 The wretched little booking office, and the baggage-room..were heavy and rank with the atmosphere of dripping clothes. 1932 27 July 4/2 Political demagogy, rank and smelly, comes out of hiding. 1979 A. Hecht (1980) i. 10 Came home oil-stained and late to find her drunk And the house rank with the staleness of dead butts. 2000 May 106/3 The rank, mineral tainted air caught in the back of her throat. the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > fetor > [adjective] > of a smell: bad 1570 P. Levens sig. Biv/2 Ranke smell, magnus odor, olidus. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Hippocrates in 274 Some ranke stinking sauour. 1620 I. C. 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 115 With that rank Odour from thy dwelling Place To drive the Viper's brood. View more context for this quotation 1734 A. Pope ii. ii. 28 A stench..Rank as the ripeness of a Rabbit's tail. 1784 E. Allen 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 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’ III. vi. i. 14 There are people..whose small benevolences have a predominant and somewhat rank odour of egoism. 1918 S. Sassoon Dream in 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 ii. x. 256 In the alley there was the rank odour of wet refuse. 1990 R. Jordan ii. 2 Stinkweed..left a rank smell. society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > lasciviousness or lust > [adjective] the world > animals > animal body > general parts > sexual organs and reproduction > [adjective] > relating to mating > in specific reproductive phase a1500 (c1465) in J. Gairdner (1880) 2 They wex coragious and ranke, and desired gretely the feleshippe of men. 1575 J. Rolland i. f. 8v And sine to me lufe is sa amorous..I salbe ay baith rank, and ryotous. 1600 W. Shakespeare i. iii. 79 The Ewes being ranck..turned to the Rammes. View more context for this quotation 1680 E. Settle 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 i. 20 Their Rank Daughters..Receiv'd all Nations with Promiscuous Lust. 1739 P. Whitehead (ed. 2) 8 Rank Adult'rers break the Nuptial State, And scarce a Bed but feels a Foreign Weight. 1765 25 A merry rank hen will sometimes shew and play almost like a cock. 1904 in V. 34/2 Oh, the woman's a ronk un! Ivry child she's hed es bin by a different man. 1972 31 Oct. 14/7 ‘Ronk’ means what the yokels of London would describe as ‘randy’. 1987 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. the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > utter or absolute 1528 sig. b viv This is rancke heresy. 1550 J. Bale (title) The Apology of Johan Bale agaynste a ranke Papyst. a1627 T. Middleton (1657) i. 29 'Tis a most rank untruth. 1676 A. Marvell sig. C2v The meanest Varlet, the dullest School-boy, the rankest Idiot. 1711 J. Addison No. 105. ¶5 What are these but rank Pedants? 1766 J. Fordyce I. iv. 148 Rank treason against the royalty of Virtue. 1782 J. Freeth 19 At so much rank hypocrisy, One can't tell what to say. 1809 Duke of Wellington (1838) V. 150 General Eguia's plan is rank nonsense. 1880 W. Day v. 40 A horse..which turned a rank roarer. 1926 J. Black vi. 65 If you was some kind of a rank dingbat you wouldn't have been invited down here. 1944 L. Mumford iv. 140 Bacon's work brought him into rank disfavor with his ecclesiastical superiors. 1995 27 June a17/2 It's gotten so you can't do anybody a rank injustice in a newspaper column anymore. society > communication > manifestation > manifestness > [adjective] > strikingly a1640 P. Massinger (1976) iv. i. 57 Tis ranck The sight of my wife hath forcd him to forget To counterfeit. 1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in 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.the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > [adverb] > with rapid or sudden violence the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > [adverb] > headlong 1590 E. Spenser ii. iii. sig. O7v The seely man seeing him ryde so ranck..fell flatt to ground for feare. 1596 E. Spenser 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 (1647) 86 O he smells ranck o'th rascall. 1691 J. Dunton III. 368 Some of their Ancestry have smelt ranck of Astrology. the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > utterly 1602 J. Marston i. v. sig. C2v Would'st haue me turn rank mad, or..curse, weepe, rage, & then my bosome strike? 1870 J. P. Robson 329 Rank bad foaks wi' cankris harts that ne'er can happy be. 1888 S. O. Addy (at cited word) A rank bad man. 1910 R. Kipling 84 That's the curiosity of it. 'Twas bad—rank bad. 1952 31 July 2/6 Preece..had experienced a period of rank bad luck. 2007 (Nexis) 19 Jan. 41 It was just a rank bad performance and a humiliating defeat at home. Compounds C1. In parasynthetic adjectives. 1613 G. Chapman sig. a3v Insania, is that which euery Ranck-brainde writer; and iudge of Poeticall writing, is rapt withal. 1669 W. Charleton Mysterie of Vintners in 189 The ill savour of rank-leed French wine. 1593 G. Harvey 147 Sweet Gossip,..the dunghill, is your freehold;..I know none so rank-minded. 1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid (new ed.) x. f. 135 Rank sented Mints too make Of womens limbes [L. femineos artus in olentes vertere mentas.] 1699 W. Dampier i. ii. 28 'Tis rank scented, yet the taste is not altogether unpleasant. 1740 W. Pardon (ed. 3) at Fitch Also the name of the pole-cat, or rank-scented ferret. 1867 May 9 Mr. Randolph had called it once a rank-scented weed. 1944 K. Rexroth (1966) 140 They lie half buried in the tangle of rank scented midsummer flowers. 2007 (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. 1628 T. May tr. Virgil iii. 57 The ranke-grown weeds invade Yong corn. 1769 T. Tournay 6 The rank-grown Thistle blighted Albion's Rose. 1857 G. H. Boker (ed. 2) 322 Rocks and trees, pool, waterfall, and rank-grown sod. 1958 22 May 7/1 Rains last week slowed and caused considerable lodging in rank-grown wheat fields. 1615 R. Brathwait 87 Flora..them did put In her embrodred skirts which were rancke set, With Prime-rose, Cow-slip, and the violet. 1736 J. Harris (ed. 5) at Adz A Plane, though rank set, will not make Riddance enough. 1823 P. Nicholson 229 The edge of the iron of a plane is said to be rank-set when it projects considerably below the sole. 1598 R. Barnfield xxxi. sig. C Thy chafing hath begot A ranke-smelt sauour. C3. With present participles. 1601 T. Powell sig. Dv Her too much vse is too much nourishing In the rancke feeding bodies of our state. c1820 20 The skins of large, or rank-feeding birds. 1668 R. Howard 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 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 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 iii. 57 The moisture-loving vegetation consists mainly of rank-growing grasses such as smooth cordgrass. 1596 M. Drayton sig. E King Edward followeth..With troupes of bow-men and ranck-riding bands. 1642 J. Row 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. 1735 W. Somervile iv. 171 O'er Plains with Flocks distain'd Rank-scenting. 1591 E. Spenser Muiopotmos in sig. V2 Ranke smelling Rue, and Cummin good for eyes. 1632 P. Fletcher xxviii. 262 A stinking Fox, a rancke-smelling Dissembler. 1766 R. Andrews tr. Virgil Georgics , in iv. 114 Rank smelling cent'ry and Cecropian thyme. 1812 J. Galt Agamemnon i. ii, in 64 Supplanted in his love, by a vile slave; A coarse, rank-smelling groom; a neighing groom. 1919 ‘K. Mansfield’ 21 Nov. (1951) 401 I remember standing in a rank-smelling field. 1994 C. McCarthy 425 He woke in the white light of the desert noon and sat up in the ranksmelling blankets. 1816 W. Scott Old Mortality i, in 1st Ser. II. 8 Rank-springing grass. 1612 M. Drayton xv. 242 By whose rank swelling Streame, the far-fetcht forraine fraught, May vp to In-land Townes conueniently be brought. a1649 W. Drummond (1656) 145 Loud-bellowing Clyde..Ranke-swelling Annan. 1872 832 Strong-smelling and rank-tasting. 1921 D. H. Lawrence ii. 63 A massive yellow omelette..cooked in the usual rank-tasting olive oil. 2001 (Nexis) 20 Aug. a9 I recall some unpleasant musty-smelling showers and rank-tasting tea and coffee in past years. C4. Appositive. a1889 G. M. Hopkins (1967) 179 What being in rank-old nature should earlier have that breath been. C5. 1884 9 July 5/1 Law, a rank amateur, was sent in to catch. 1936 R. Riskin Mr. Deeds goes to Town in (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 28 Mar. i. 2/2 A deceitful and filthy plan which makes Machiavelli look like a rank amateur. 1611 R. Cotgrave Blanche-putain, the hearbe Ranke-goat, or stinking Motherwort. society > society and the community > social class > the common people > socially inferior person > [noun] society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > [noun] > horse by performance the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by purpose used for > [noun] > racehorse > outsider 1869 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 II. 170 Rank outsider (common), a vulgar fellow, a cad. From a racing term applied to a horse outside the rank. 1923 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 14 July 64/4 The rank outsider shot a 68 yesterday to move within a shot of leader Montgomerie. 1580 A. Saker 35 These wayfaring trauellers, & rancke riders, on their way towards Vienna. 1603 T. Dekker sig. A4 Those ranck-riders of Art, that haue so spur-gald your lustie wingd Pegasus. a1629 W. Hinde (1641) xi. 38 A good rule for our horse-racers, rank riders, and hot-spurre hunters..to measure their actions by. 1699 B. E. Rank-rider, a High-way-man, also a Jockey. 1741 T. Betterton in G. Ogle I. 31 Like a rank Rider, pointed Spurs she wore. 1828 I. vii Ride on, ride on, ye rank rider, Your steed's baith stout and strang. 1928 D. L. W. Tough 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. 1609 G. Chapman tr. Homer iv. 414 The rank-rode Cadmeans..Lodg'd ambuscadoes for their foe. 1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne ii. xxii. 392 Sure he was a rancke-runner: for where any river hindred his way, he swamme it over. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens 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. 1637 T. Morton ii. iv. 71 These [Lannarets] are most excellent Mettell, rank winged, well conditioned. 1699 B. E. Rank-wing'd Hawk, that is a slow Fligher. 1773 J. Campbell 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 Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: rank adj. Etymology: < rank adj. Compare ranked adj.2, ranken v. Obsolete. the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > suppuration > suppurate [verb (intransitive)] the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > dirtiness > corruption or putridness > become corrupt or putrid [verb (intransitive)] the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > deteriorate in condition [verb (intransitive)] > rot or putrefy ?a1300 (c1250) Prov. Hendyng (Digby) xi, in (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 (Petyt) ii. 205 (MED) A quarelle..smote him in þe schank..It bigan to rank; þe querelle envenomed was. c1451 J. Capgrave (1910) 123 (MED) Thus bolned þe foot and ranked, þat þei wer compelled to kit hir schoo. a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk (Gough) (1905) 181 Sone aftyr hyt [sc. a spider's bite] rankut, and soo swal al hor throtes. 1616 J. Davies sig. C4 T'will swell vnseene, Which ranking inward, outward shews thy teene. the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > project from (something) [verb (transitive)] > cause to project or stretch forth 1867 F. Francis 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.2Origin: Of unknown origin. Etymology: Origin unknown. Perhaps compare rank v.4 Obsolete. rare. a1529 J. Skelton (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.3Origin: 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. 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)] 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 society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > formation > form or reform [verb (reflexive)] > form rank 1550 T. Nicolls tr. Thucydides iv. f. Cxxii The Athenians did rancke themself in battaille nyghe to the large walles. 1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch 188 No sooner heare newes of forrein enemies comming against them, but they rancke themselves. 1606 W. Birnie vii. sig. C1v Men ranking themselves vnder stately standerts. 1612 J. Smith (1907) 106 These..ranked themselves 15 abreast, and each ranke from another 4 or 5 yards. 1686 tr. J. Chardin 88 They rank themselves, either in a circle, or side by side. 1708 D. Manley 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 i. 99 My Men stood to their Arms, and ranked themselves in a fit Posture to receive them. 1769 tr. P. Poivre 22 Then five or six men, ranking themselves in a line on the field, make small holes as they go along. 1837 T. Carlyle II. iv. vii. 250 National Guards rank themselves, half-buttoned. 1927 J. Todhunter 22 The gangway is opened, and the guards rank themselves on either side. society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > formation > form (line, column, etc.) [verb (transitive)] 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 society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > [verb (transitive)] > draw up (troops) > in line or rank society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > [verb (transitive)] > draw up (troops) > in line or rank > in proper alignment 1573 in J. Cranstoun (1891) I. xxxix. 2 To ring ȝour drummis and rank ȝour men of weir. 1594 R. Carew tr. T. Tasso 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 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 vi. 604 In view Stood rankt of Seraphim another row. View more context for this quotation 1726 J. Swift II. iii. vii. 98 We passed..between Servants of the same sort, ranked on each side as before. 1749 W. Mason 9 E'en now fond Fancy leads th'ideal train, And ranks her troops on Mem'ry's ample plain. 1815 W. Scott v. xiv. 193 Upon the sand Let every leader rank his band. 1884 Nov. 884/2 The prisoners were then drawn up.., ranked six deep. 1923 A. N. Wilder 56 An august Lover sacrosanct, who stoops in care above the world's unrest, whose shining troop in host on host is ranked. 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)] 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil ii. 34 Soom bands of Troians..Ranck close too geather, thee Greeks most manlye repealing. 1605 J. Marston iv. i Harke they are at hande, ranke handsomly. 1650 R. Elton 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 xv. 304 From straggling Mountainers, for Publick Good, To Rank in Tribes and quit the Salvage Wood. 1796 R. Southey 11 In your holy train Jove proudly ranks. 1865 S. Ferguson i Fitfully you still may see the grim smiths ranking round. 2000 Winter 6/2 An issue was raised about taxis ranking beyond the southern end of the taxi bay on High Street. society > armed hostility > military operations > evolution > [verb (intransitive)] > march > in rank 1817 26 July 3/2 The troops then fell into line, ranked off, and marched before his Royal Highness. 1832 iii. 59 In ranking past by Threes there is to be a horse's length from croup to head. 1842 T. Carlyle (ed. 2) ii. 107 Your cattle..come ranking home at evening time. 1905 13 May 12/3 On ranking past the King all officers and drivers will salute. 1990 (Nexis) 18 June 12 The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery and the Household Cavalry ranked past The Queen. 2. 1587 A. Fleming et al. (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 (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 38 The Streets are sweet and clean, ranked with fine Mansions. a1891 H. Melville (1924) 335 Here...ranked with grass, a flower may dwell, Cheerful, if never high in feather. 1932 W. Faulkner 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 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. 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)] 1590 E. Spenser 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 304 He sought for stone..he ranked them with Symmetry. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil 128 He knew to rank his Elms in even rows. View more context for this quotation 1707 tr. J. B. Morvan de Bellegarde 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 (1876) viii. 453 A plain space in the middle, and the groups of figures ranked round this vacuity. 1833 8 62 Exerting all his mind in ranking up flower-pots. 1871 W. Alexander v. 45 The fishers gettin'..the nets rankit oot. 1935 W. Faulkner 257 Most of the cars were back by then too, ranked into the ubiquitous blue-and-drab rampart. 1989 M. Stewart i. 15 (caption) Batter jugs holding the cider and the cognac were ranked along the windowsill. 2004 12 Feb. 4/1 The same surrounding suburban plain of toy-neat houses innumerably ranked along a maze of cul-de-sacs. 1597 H. Clapham 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 iii. ii. 117 If sower woe..needly will be ranckt with other griefes. View more context for this quotation 1633 P. Fletcher 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 iii. iii. 196 Those Things we are acquainted with, and have ranked into Bands, under distinct Names. 1778 F. Burney I. xxviii. 220 Arguments which..will rather rank me as an hermit. 1784 C. Chauncy 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. I. 227 One whose broad and squary form had once ranked him among the strong. 1879 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 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 ix. 177 If..we are to rank the pyramidellids with opisthobranchs, we shall need a separate order. 1994 25 June 15/1 Virologists rank hosts into three classes. 1601 W. Cornwallis II. xlvi. sig. Hh4 He [sc. a writer] should ranke with the Constitutours of common-wealths. a1616 W. Shakespeare (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 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 465 A principle..That..Ranks as a virtue, and is yet a vice. View more context for this quotation 1797 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 (1837) IV. 359 Holkar never had ranked among the states of India. 1852 W. E. Gladstone 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 v. 211 Besides these [carbohydrates], which rank as hexosans, Ulander found small quantities of pentosans and methyl pentosans. 1955 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 238 He also ranked as a militant supporter of the Conservatives. 3. 1608 T. Middleton i. sig. A2v I rancke with chiefe Gallants. a1640 P. Massinger (1655) v. i. 89 So dear I hold the memory of my friend, It shall rank with my daughters. 1745 45 Colonels dispute the Right of Captains of Men of War ranking with them. 1787 G. Winter 32 Lime, when properly and judiciously applied, ranks first amongst the class of manures. 1828 T. Carlyle in 1 125 This play should rank high among that class of works. 1850 C. Merivale I. xi. 520 Surenas ranked next to the king in birth, wealth, and distinction. 1904 30 Mar. 4/5 Of those not Samurai, the heimin, or commoners, the peasantry ranked first. 1956 P. Anderson in June 119/2 In spite of his claims to ambassadorial rank, Alak found himself ranking low—his only retinue was on ugly nonhumanoid. 1996 14 June 27/6 London..ranks world number three in futures and options trading. 1612 J. Brinsley 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 54 'Tis rank'd as chief..In those black Muster-Rolls God does Record, Of grand offences. 1755 J. Ellis 56 Next in Order to the Corallines, may be ranked the Frutices coralloides, or Sea-shrubs. 1799 S. Turner I. ii. vii. 298 Oswy is ranked by Bede the seventh..of the kings who preponderated in the Anglo-Saxon octarchy. 1848 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 (ed. 2) III. 525 In ranking theories of physics first in the order of knowledge. 1904 ‘O. Henry’ in Feb. 749/2 His salary.., sordidly speaking, ranked him star boarder at the Peek's. 1987 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 May–June 58/1 In ranking these countries' commitment to development, the CDI rewards generous aid giving, [etc.]. the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > collect or employ statistics [verb (transitive)] > group or arrange data 1907 (Biometric Ser.) 4 25 It is easier to rank individuals than to measure their attributes accurately. 1944 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 ix. 221 It is possible to rank depths of colour without requiring some form of graduated scale. 2001 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. 1681 [implied in: J. Dalrymple (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 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 (1740) I. 225 The Creditors shall..name the Lord..before whom their severall Rights and Interests are to be ranked. a1768 J. Erskine (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 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 (1862) 307 All arrestments and poindings..shall be ranked pari passu. 1918 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 II. 1474/1 The lands of an insolvent were sold and the creditors ranked on the proceeds for their claims. 2001 12 Dec. 32/2 In theory, the banks and bondholders are ranked equally in any list of Marconi's creditors. 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 1824 J. Marshall in (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 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 5 July 15/2 The company's creditors would rank on the whole company's estate in priority to any shareholder. 1975 27 Feb. 1/8 It all now depends on what creditor ranks ahead of what creditor. 2007 (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. 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 1928 3 Aug. 18/2 The new shares did not rank for the interim dividend. 1976 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 (Nexis) 22 July 1610 The Deferred Shares..carry no voting rights, [and] do not rank for dividends. 5. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > quality of being better or superior > [verb (transitive)] 1841 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 (1893) 17 57 Col. Scott and Lt. Elliott both declared no one should go to rank me. 1877 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 Dec. 933 The Secretary of State ranks all the other members of the Cabinet. 1951 S. Heym 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 iii. 47 Torbert's appointment posed something of a problem, since Averell ranked him by seniority and refused to take orders from his junior. society > armed hostility > military organization > logistics > quartering > quarter (troops) [verb (transitive)] > deprive of quarters 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 1872 F. M. A. Roe (1909) 66 Faye has been turned out of quarters—‘ranked out’, as it is spoken of in the Army. 1891 C. King 184 We were ‘ranked’ out of those quarters presently. 1932 L. H. Nason 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 xiii. 237 We [sc. the air force] got ranked out of everything, and the only thing left was the Isle of Capri. the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrespect > insult > [verb (transitive)] 1934 9 290/1 Negro slang... Rank, to kid a person..to harass. 1939 J. L. Dollard in 1 289/1 ‘I ranked’ so-and-so, meaning ‘set him back on his heels’. 1957 21 Sept. 142 ‘He started to rank me,’ Benny said, meaning that the Stomper had been taunting him. 1978 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 124 Since this was my first party everybody ranked on me. 2003 H. Woodbury 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. the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > thwart or foil 1924 G. C. Henderson 415 Rank, to blunder. To fizzle. To rank a job. 1937 C. Himes in (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 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’ 136 You trying to rank my hustle. 1927 P. C. Murphy vii. 53 I was soon ‘ranked’ (detected) by the ‘bulls’. 1929 E. Booth xii. 301 Don't run, and rank yourself—the fuzz don't know what's doin' yet. 1967 ‘Iceberg Slim’ 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. 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.4Origin: 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. the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Felidae (feline) > [verb (intransitive)] > roar (of tiger) 1607 E. Topsell 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). <  n.1a1325 n.2c1400n.31709 adj.adv.OE v.1?a1300v.2a1529v.31550v.41607 |
