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.]
And, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one
stalk, rank and good. --Gen. xli. 5.
2. Raised to a high degree; violent; extreme; gross; utter;
as, rank heresy. ``Rank nonsense.'' --Hare. ``I do forgive
thy rankest fault.'' --Shak.
3. Causing vigorous growth; producing luxuriantly; very rich
and fertile; as, rank land. --Mortimer.
4. Strong-scented; rancid; musty; as, oil of a rank smell;
rank-smelling rue. --Spenser.
5. Strong to the taste. ``Divers sea fowls taste rank of the
fish on which they feed.'' --Boyle.
6. Inflamed with venereal appetite. [Obs.] --Shak.
{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.
That rides so rank and bends his lance so fell.
--Fairfax.
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.
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.