Rance
(Rance) n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
1. A prop or shore. [Scot.]
2. A round between the legs of a chair.
Rancescent
(Ran*ces"cent) a. [L. rancescens, p. pr. of rancescere, v. incho. from rancere to be
rancid.] Becoming rancid or sour.
Ranch
(Ranch) v. t. [Written also raunch.] [Cf. Wrench.] To wrench; to tear; to sprain; to injure by
violent straining or contortion. [R.] Dryden. "Hasting to raunch the arrow out." Spenser.
Ranch
(Ranch), n. [See Rancho.] A tract of land used for grazing and the rearing of horses, cattle, or
sheep. See Rancho, 2. [Western U. S.]
Ranchero
(||Ran*che"ro) n.; pl. Rancheros (- roz). [Sp.] [Mexico & Western U. S.]
1. A herdsman; a peasant employed on a ranch or rancho.
2. The owner and occupant of a ranch or rancho.
Ranchman
(Ranch"man) n.; pl. Ranchmen An owner or occupant of, or laborer on, a ranch; a herdsman.
[Western U. S.]
Rancho
(||Ran"cho) n.; pl. Ranchos [Sp., properly, a mess, mess room. Cf. 2d Ranch.]
1. A rude hut, as of posts, covered with branches or thatch, where herdsmen or farm laborers may live
or lodge at night.
2. A large grazing farm where horses and cattle are raised; — distinguished from hacienda, a cultivated
farm or plantation. [Mexico & California] Bartlett.
Rancid
(Ran"cid) a. [L. rancidus, fr. rancere to be rancid or rank.] Having a rank smell or taste, from
chemical change or decomposition; musty; as, rancid oil or butter.
Rancidity
(Ran*cid"i*ty) n. [Cf. F. rancidité.] The quality or state of being rancid; a rancid scent or flavor,
as of old oil. Ure.
Rancidly
(Ran"cid*ly) adv. In a rancid manner.
