- Ranker
- Rank Rank (r[a^][ng]k), a. [Compar. {Ranker}
(r[a^][ng]k"[~e]r); superl. {Rankest}.] [AS. ranc strong,
proud; cf. D. rank slender, Dan. rank upright, erect, Prov.
G. rank slender, Icel. rakkr slender, bold. The meaning seems
to have been influenced by L. rancidus, E. rancid.]
1. Luxuriant in growth; of vigorous growth; exuberant; grown
to immoderate height; as, rank grass; rank weeds.
[1913 Webster]
And, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. --Gen. xli. 5. [1913 Webster]
2. Raised to a high degree; violent; extreme; gross; utter; as, rank heresy. ``Rank nonsense.'' --Hare. ``I do forgive thy rankest fault.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]
3. Causing vigorous growth; producing luxuriantly; very rich and fertile; as, rank land. --Mortimer. [1913 Webster]
4. Strong-scented; rancid; musty; as, oil of a rank smell; rank-smelling rue. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
5. Strong to the taste. ``Divers sea fowls taste rank of the fish on which they feed.'' --Boyle. [1913 Webster]
6. Inflamed with venereal appetite. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
{Rank modus} (Law), an excessive and unreasonable modus. See {Modus}, 3.
{To set} (the iron of a plane, etc.) {rank}, to set so as to take off a thick shaving. --Moxon. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
