- Range
- Range Range (r[=a]nj), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ranged}
(r[=a]njd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Ranging} (r[=a]n"j[i^]ng).] [OE.
rengen, OF. rengier, F. ranger, OF. renc row, rank, F. rang;
of German origin. See {Rank}, n.]
1. To set in a row, or in rows; to place in a regular line or
lines, or in ranks; to dispose in the proper order; to
rank; as, to range soldiers in line.
[1913 Webster]
Maccabeus ranged his army by bands. --2 Macc. xii. 20. [1913 Webster]
2. To place (as a single individual) among others in a line, row, or order, as in the ranks of an army; -- usually, reflexively and figuratively, (in the sense) to espouse a cause, to join a party, etc. [1913 Webster]
It would be absurd in me to range myself on the side of the Duke of Bedford and the corresponding society. --Burke. [1913 Webster]
3. To separate into parts; to sift. [Obs.] --Holland. [1913 Webster]
4. To dispose in a classified or in systematic order; to arrange regularly; as, to range plants and animals in genera and species. [1913 Webster]
5. To rove over or through; as, to range the fields. [1913 Webster]
Teach him to range the ditch, and force the brake. --Gay. [1913 Webster]
6. To sail or pass in a direction parallel to or near; as, to range the coast. [1913 Webster]
Note: Compare the last two senses (5 and 6) with the French ranger une c[^o]te. [1913 Webster]
7. (Biol.) To be native to, or to live in; to frequent. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
