ranks


rank 1

R0040700 (răngk)n.1. a. A relative position in a society.b. An official position or grade: the rank of sergeant.c. A relative position or degree of value in a graded group.d. High or eminent station or position: persons of rank.2. A row, line, series, or range.3. a. A line of soldiers, vehicles, or equipment standing side by side in close order.b. ranks The armed forces.c. ranks Personnel, especially enlisted military personnel.4. ranks A body of people classed together; numbers: joined the ranks of the unemployed.5. Games Any of the rows of squares running crosswise to the files on a playing board in chess or checkers.v. ranked, rank·ing, ranks v.tr.1. To place in a row or rows.2. To give a particular order or position to; classify.3. To outrank or take precedence over.v.intr.1. To hold a particular rank: ranked first in the class.2. To form or stand in a row or rows.3. Slang a. To complain.b. To engage in carping criticism. Often used with on: Stop ranking on me all the time.Idiom: pull rank To use one's superior rank to gain an advantage.
[Middle English, line, row, from Old French ranc, renc, of Germanic origin; see sker- in Indo-European roots.]

rank 2

R0040700 (răngk)adj. rank·er, rank·est 1. Growing profusely or with excessive vigor: rank vegetation.2. Yielding a profuse, often excessive crop; highly fertile: rank earth.3. Strong and offensive in odor or flavor: rank gym clothes.4. Absolute; complete: a rank amateur; rank treachery. See Synonyms at flagrant.
[Middle English ranc, from Old English, strong, overbearing; see reg- in Indo-European roots.]
rank′ly adv.rank′ness n.

ranks

(ræŋks) pl n1. the people who belong to a group or organization: he soon joined the ranks of the unemployed. 2. (Military) military the ordinary members of an organization, esp the armed forces
Translations
rang