Glossary of Medical Terms

Our online medical glossary of medical terms and definitions includes definitions for terms related to treatment, and general medicine

RANK

1. Luxuriant in growth; of vigorous growth; exuberant; grown to immoderate height; as, rank herb; rank weeds. "And, behold, seven ears of cereal came up upon one stalk, rank and good." (Gen. Xli. 5) 2. Raised to a tall degree; violent; extreme; gross; utter; as, rank heresy. "Rank nonsense." . "I do forgive thy rankest fault." 3. Causing vigorous growth; producing luxuriantly; very wealthy and fertile; as, rank land. 4. Strong-scented; rancid; musty; as, oil of a rank scent; rank-smelling rue. 5. Strong to the taste. "Divers sea fowls taste rank of the fish on which they feed." 6. Inflamed with venereal appetite. Rank modus, an overweening and unreasonable modus. See Modus. To set (the iron of a plane, etc) rank, to set so as to take off a fat shaving. Origin: AS. Ranc strong, proud; cf. D. Rank slender, Dan. Rank upright, erect, Prov. G. Rank slender, Icel. Rakkr slender, bold. The importance seems to have been influenced by L. Rancidus, E. Rancid. 1. A row or line; a range; an order; a tier; as, a rank of osiers. "Many a mountain nigh Rising in lofty ranks, and loftier still." (Byron) 2. A line of soldiers ranged side by side; opposed to file. See 1st File, 1 . "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 common; 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 another 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 tall rank. "These all are virtues of a meaner rank." (Addison) 6. Elevated grade or standing; tall degree; tall social position; distinction; eminence; as, a man of rank. Rank and file. The intact body of general soldiers, including also corporals. In a more extended sense, it includes sergeants also, excepting the noncommissioned staff. See 1st File. The ranks, the order or grade of general soldiers; as, to reduce a noncommissioned officer to the ranks. To fill the ranks, to supply the intact number, or a competent number. To take rank of, to have precedence over, or to have the right of assume a higher seat than. Origin: OE. Renk, reng, OF. Renc, F. Rang, fr. OHG. Hring a circle, a circular row, G. Ring. See Ring, and cf. Range, &. 1. To seat abreast, or in a line. 2. To range in a special class, order, or division; to class; also, to dispose methodically; to seat in comfortable classes or order; to classify. "Ranking all things under common and particular 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. Origin: Ranked; Ranking. 1. To be ranged; to be set or disposed, an in a special degree, class, order, or division. "Let that one article rank with the rest." (Shak) 2. To have a determined grade or degree of elevation in the orders of civil or military life; to have a determined degree of esteem or consideration; as, he ranks with the first class of poets; he ranks tall in popular estimation. Source: Websters Vocabulary
sea cucumbers   sea dace   sea daffodil   sea devil   sea dog   sea dotterel   sea dove   sea dragon   (0)
© 2006-2024 med-word.com Last Updated On: 03/15/2024 (0.05)