{Rear admiral}, an officer in the navy, next in rank below a
vice admiral, and above a commodore. See {Admiral}.
{Rear front} (Mil.), the rear rank of a body of troops when
faced about and standing in that position.
{Rear guard} (Mil.), the division of an army that marches in
the rear of the main body to protect it; -- used also
figuratively.
{Rear line} (Mil.), the line in the rear of an army.
{Rear rank} (Mil.), the rank or line of a body of troops
which is in the rear, or last in order.
{Rear sight} (Firearms), the sight nearest the breech.
{To bring up the rear}, to come last or behind.
Then why does Cuddy leave his cot so rear! --Gay.
Nipped with the lagging rear of winter's frost.
--Milton.
2. Specifically, the part of an army or fleet which comes
last, or is stationed behind the rest.
When the fierce foe hung on our broken rear.
--Milton.
{Rearing bit}, a bit designed to prevent a horse from lifting
his head when rearing. --Knight.
In adoration at his feet I fell Submiss; he reared
me. --Milton.
It reareth our hearts from vain thoughts. --Barrow.
Mine [shall be] the first hand to rear her banner.
--Ld. Lytton.
2. To erect by building; to set up; to construct; as, to rear
defenses or houses; to rear one government on the ruins of
another.
One reared a font of stone. --Tennyson.
3. To lift and take up. [Obs. or R.]
And having her from Trompart lightly reared, Upon
his set the lovely load. --Spenser.
4. To bring up to maturity, as young; to educate; to
instruct; to foster; as, to rear offspring.
He wants a father to protect his youth, And rear him
up to virtue. --Southern.
5. To breed and raise; as, to rear cattle.
6. To rouse; to strip up. [Obs.]
And seeks the tusky boar to rear. --Dryden.
Syn: To lift; elevate; erect; raise, build; establish. See
the Note under {Raise}, 3
(c) .