rank

rank
{{11}}rank (adj.) O.E. ranc "proud, overbearing, showy," from P.Gmc. *rankaz (Cf. Dan. rank "right, upright," Ger. rank "slender," O.N. rakkr "straight, erect"), perhaps from PIE *reg- "to stretch, straighten" (see RIGHT (Cf. right) (adj.)). In reference to plant growth, "vigorous, luxuriant," it is recorded from mid-13c. Sense evolved in M.E. to "large and coarse" (c.1300), then, via notion of "excessive and unpleasant," to "having a strong bad smell" (1520s). Much used 16c. as a pejorative intensive (Cf. rank folly). This is possibly the source of the verb meaning "to reveal another's guilt" (1929, underworld slang), and that of "to harass, abuse," 1934, U.S. black dialect, though this also may be from the role of the activity in establishing social hierarchy (from rank (n.)).
{{12}}rank (n.) c.1400, a row of an army, from O.Fr. ranc, from Frankish *hring or some other Germanic source (Cf. O.H.G. hring "circle, ring"), from P.Gmc. *khrengaz "circle, ring" (see RING (Cf. ring) (n.)). Meaning "social position" is from early 15c.
{{12}}rank (v.) "arrange things in order, classify," 1580s, from RANK (Cf. rank) (n.). Related: Ranked; ranking.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Rank — is a very broad term with several meanings. As a noun it is usually related to a relative position or to some kind of ordering (see also ranking). As an adjective it is used to mean profuse, conspicuous, absolute, or unpleasant, especially in… …   Wikipedia

  • RANK (O.) — RANK OTTO (1884 1939) Né à Vienne dans une famille modeste marquée par la mésentente et l’alcoolisme, le jeune Rosenfeld prend à dix sept ans le nom de Rank pour renier ce milieu. Destiné à un travail manuel, il est obligé de prendre, pour des… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Rank — ist der Name folgender Personen: Elisabeth Rank (auch Lisa Rank, * 1984), deutsche Schriftstellerin Franz Rank (1870–1949), deutscher Architekt Heiner Rank (* 1931), deutscher Schriftsteller Joseph Rank (1816–1896), österreichischer Erzähler und… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • 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.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • rank — rank1 [raŋk] n. [MFr renc < OFr ranc, renc: see RANGE] 1. a row, line, or series 2. an orderly arrangement 3. a social division or class; stratum of society [people from all ranks of life] 4. a high position in society; high degree; eminence …   English World dictionary

  • Rank 1 — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Rank 1 Información personal Origen Países Bajos …   Wikipedia Español

  • RANK — (Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor κ B), also known as TRANCE Receptor, is a type I membrane protein which is expressed on the surface of osteoclasts and is involved in the activation of osteoclasts upon ligand binding. It is also expressed on …   Wikipedia

  • rank — Ⅰ. rank [1] ► NOUN 1) a position within a fixed hierarchy, especially that of the armed forces. 2) high social standing. 3) a single line of soldiers or police officers drawn up abreast. 4) (the ranks) (in the armed forces) those who are not… …   English terms dictionary

  • 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. [1913 Webster] Many a mountain nigh Rising in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • rank# — rank adj 1 Rank, rampant mean growing or increasing at an immoderate rate. Rank applies primarily to vegetation and implies vigorous, luxuriant, and often unchecked or excessive growth {behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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