Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.