That rides so rank and bends his lance so fell.
Fairfax.
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. (b) See under 1st File. -- The
ranks, the order or grade of common soldiers; as, to reduce a
noncommissioned officer to the ranks. -- To fill the ranks, to supply
the whole number, or a competent number. -- To take rank of, to have
precedence over, or to have the right of taking a higher place than.
Rank, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ranked (rkt); 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.