Rank
(Rank), adv. Rankly; stoutly; violently. [Obs.]
That rides so rank and bends his lance so fell.
Fairfax. Rank
(Rank), n. [OE. renk, reng, OF. renc, F. rang, fr. OHG. hring a circle, a circular row, G. ring.
See Ring, and cf. Range, n. & v.]
1. A row or line; a range; an order; a tier; as, a rank of osiers.
Many a mountain nigh
Rising in lofty ranks, and loftier still.
Byron. 2. (Mil.) A line of soldiers ranged side by side; — opposed to file. See 1st File, 1 (a).
Fierce, fiery warriors fought upon the clouds,
In ranks and squadrons and right form of war.
Shak. 3. Grade of official standing, as in the army, navy, or nobility; as, the rank of general; the rank of admiral.
4. An aggregate of individuals classed together; a permanent social class; an order; a division; as, ranks
and orders of men; the highest and the lowest ranks of men, or of other intelligent beings.
5. Degree of dignity, eminence, or excellence; position in civil or social life; station; degree; grade; as, a
writer of the first rank; a lawyer of high rank.
These all are virtues of a meaner rank.
Addison. 6. Elevated grade or standing; high degree; high social position; distinction; eminence; as, a man of rank.
Rank and file. (a) (Mil.) The whole body of common soldiers, including also corporals. In a more
extended sense, it includes sergeants also, excepting the noncommissioned staff. (b) See under 1st
File. — The ranks, the order or grade of common soldiers; as, to reduce a noncommissioned officer
to the ranks. — To fill the ranks, to supply the whole number, or a competent number. — To take
rank of, to have precedence over, or to have the right of taking a higher place than.
Rank
(Rank), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ranked (ra&nsmkt); p. pr. & vb. n. Ranking.]
1. To place abreast, or in a line.
2. To range in a particular class, order, or division; to class; also, to dispose methodically; to place in suitable
classes or order; to classify.
Ranking all things under general and special heads.
I. Watts.
Poets were ranked in the class of philosophers.
Broome.
Heresy is ranked with idolatry and witchcraft.
Dr. H. More. 3. To take rank of; to outrank. [U.S.]
Rank
(Rank), v. i.
1. To be ranged; to be set or disposed, as in a particular degree, class, order, or division.
Let that one article rank with the rest.
Shak. 2. To have a certain grade or degree of elevation in the orders of civil or military life; to have a certain
degree of esteem or consideration; as, he ranks with the first class of poets; he ranks high in public
estimation.
