Rear \Rear\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Reared; p. pr. & vb. n. Rearing.]

[AS. r[=ae]ran to raise, rear, elevate, for r[=ae]san, causative of r[=i]san to rise. See Rise, and cf. Raise.]

1. To raise; to lift up; to cause to rise, become erect, etc.; to elevate; as, to rear a monolith.

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) .

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)