Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.