Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Rank \Rank\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ranked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Ranking},]
   1. To place abreast, or in a line.

   2. To range in a particular class, order, or division; to
      class; also, to dispose methodically; to place in suitable
      classes or order; to classify.

            Ranking all things under general and special heads.
                                                  --I. Watts.

            Poets were ranked in the class of philosophers.
                                                  --Broome.

            Heresy is ranked with idolatry and witchcraft. --Dr.
                                                  H. More.

   3. To take rank of; to outrank. [U.S.]

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.

Rank \Rank\, adv.
   Rankly; stoutly; violently. [Obs.]

         That rides so rank and bends his lance so fell.
                                                  --Fairfax.

Rank \Rank\, n. [OE. renk, reng, OF. renc, F. rang, fr. OHG.
   hring a circle, a circular row, G. ring. See {Ring}, and cf.
   {Range}, n. & v.]
   1. A row or line; a range; an order; a tier; as, a rank of
      osiers.

            Many a mountain nigh Rising in lofty ranks, and
            loftier still.                        --Byron.

   2. (Mil.) A line of soldiers ranged side by side; -- opposed
      to file. See 1st {File}, 1
      (a) .

                Fierce, fiery warriors fought upon the clouds,
                In ranks and squadrons and right form of war.
                                                  --Shak.

   3. Grade of official standing, as in the army, navy, or
      nobility; as, the rank of general; the rank of admiral.

   4. An aggregate of individuals classed together; a permanent
      social class; an order; a division; as, ranks and orders
      of men; the highest and the lowest ranks of men, or of
      other intelligent beings.

   5. Degree of dignity, eminence, or excellence; position in
      civil or social life; station; degree; grade; as, a writer
      of the first rank; a lawyer of high rank.

            These all are virtues of a meaner rank. --Addison.

   6. Elevated grade or standing; high degree; high social
      position; distinction; eminence; as, a man of rank.

   {Rank and file}.
      (a) (Mil.) The whole body of common soldiers, including
          also corporals. In a more extended sense, it includes
          sergeants also, excepting the noncommissioned staff.

Rank \Rank\, v. i.
   1. To be ranged; to be set or disposed, an in a particular
      degree, class, order, or division.

            Let that one article rank with the rest. --Shak.

   2. To have a certain grade or degree of elevation in the
      orders of civil or military life; to have a certain degree
      of esteem or consideration; as, he ranks with the first
      class of poets; he ranks high in public estimation.

Source : WordNet®

rank
     adj 1: very fertile; producing profuse growth; "rank earth"
     2: very offensive in smell or taste; "a rank cigar"
     3: conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible; "a
        crying shame"; "an egregious lie"; "flagrant violation of
        human rights"; "a glaring error"; "gross ineptitude";
        "gross injustice"; "rank treachery" [syn: {crying(a)}, {egregious},
         {flagrant}, {glaring}, {gross}]
     4: complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes
        used informally as intensifiers; "absolute freedom"; "an
        absolute dimwit"; "a downright lie"; "out-and-out mayhem";
        "an out-and-out lie"; "a rank outsider"; "many right-down
        vices"; "got the job through sheer persistence"; "sheer
        stupidity" [syn: {absolute}, {downright}, {out-and-out(a)},
         {rank(a)}, {right-down}, {sheer(a)}]
     5: growing profusely; "rank jungle vegetation"

rank
     n 1: a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police)
          standing abreast of one another; "the entrance was
          guarded by ranks of policemen"
     2: relative status; "his salary was determined by his rank and
        seniority"
     3: the ordinary members of an organization (such as the
        enlisted soldiers of an army); "the strike was supported
        by the union rank and file"; "he rose from the ranks to
        become a colonel" [syn: {rank and file}]
     4: position in a social hierarchy; "the British are more aware
        of social status than Americans are" [syn: {social station},
         {social status}, {social rank}]
     5: the body of members of an organization or group; "they
        polled their membership"; "they found dissension in their
        own ranks"; "he joined the ranks of the unemployed" [syn:
        {membership}]

rank
     v 1: take or have a position relative to others; "This painting
          ranks among the best in the Western World"
     2: assign a rank or rating to; "how would you rank these
        students?"; "The restaurant is rated highly in the food
        guide" [syn: {rate}, {range}, {order}, {grade}, {place}]
     3: take precedence or surpass others in rank [syn: {outrank}]