noun

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 a person of rank
5. an official grade or position the rank of captain
6. a relative position, usually in a scale classifying persons or things; grade; degree a poet of the first rank
7. any of the rows of squares on a chessboard extending from side to side, perpendicular to the files
8. Mil.
   1. a row of soldiers, vehicles, etc. placed side by side, or abreast of one another
   2. the body of soldiers of an army, as distinguished from the officers [to rise from the ranks]: often used metaphorically to refer to the ordinary members of any group, as opposed to its leaders
9. Music stop ()

Etymology: MFr renc < OFr ranc, renc: see range

transitive verb

1. to place in a rank or ranks
2. to assign a certain rank, or position, to
3. ☆ to have a higher rank than; outrank

intransitive verb

1. to hold a certain rank, or position to rank third on a list
2. Archaic to form a rank or move in ranks

adjective

1. growing vigorously and coarsely; overly luxuriant rank grass
2. producing or covered with a luxuriant crop; extremely fertile
3. strong and offensive in smell or taste; rancid
4. in bad taste; coarse
5. complete; utter rank deceit
6. Obsolete in sexual heat

Etymology: ME ranke < OE ranc, strong, proud, akin to MLowG rank, slender, erect, long and thin < IE base *reĝ-, put in order, stretch out > right