Rank \Rank\, a. [Compar. Ranker; superl. Rankest.]
[AS. ranc
strong, proud; cf. D. rank slender, Dan. rank upright, erect,
Prov. G. rank slender, Icel. rakkr slender, bold. The meaning
seems to have been influenced by L. rancidus, E. rancid.]
1. Luxuriant in growth; of vigorous growth; exuberant; grown
to immoderate height; as, rank grass; rank weeds.
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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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