Range \Range\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ranged; p. pr. & vb. n. Ranging.]

[OE. rengen, OF. rengier, F. ranger, OF. renc row, rank, F. rang; of German origin. See Rane, n.]

1. To set in a row, or in rows; to place in a regular line or lines, or in ranks; to dispose in the proper order; to rank; as, to range soldiers in line.

Maccabeus ranged his army by hands. --2 Macc. xii. 20.

2. To place (as a single individual) among others in a line, row, or order, as in the ranks of an army; -- usually, reflexively and figuratively, (in the sense) to espouse a cause, to join a party, etc.

It would be absurd in me to range myself on the side of the Duke of Bedford and the corresponding society. --Burke.

3. To separate into parts; to sift. [Obs.]

--Holland.

4. To dispose in a classified or in systematic order; to arrange regularly; as, to range plants and animals in genera and species.

5. To rove over or through; as, to range the fields.

Teach him to range the ditch, and force the brake. --Gay.

6. To sail or pass in a direction parallel to or near; as, to range the coast.

Note: Compare the last two senses (5 and 6) with the French ranger une c[^o]te.

7. (Biol.) To be native to, or to live in; to frequent.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)