rank1
• noun 1 a position within a fixed hierarchy, especially that of the armed forces. 2 high social standing. 3 a single line of soldiers or police officers drawn up abreast. 4 (the ranks) (in the armed forces) those who are not commissioned officers. 5 (ranks) the people belonging to or constituting a group or class: the ranks of the unemployed. 6 Chess each of the eight rows of eight squares running from side to side across a chessboard. Compare with FILE1. • verb 1 give (someone or something) a rank within a grading system. 2 hold a specified rank. 3 US take precedence over (someone) in respect to rank. 4 arrange in a row or rows. — PHRASES break rank (or ranks) 1 (of soldiers or police officers) fail to remain in line. 2 fail to maintain solidarity. close ranks 1 (of soldiers or police officers) come closer together in a line. 2 unite in order to defend common interests. pull rank take unfair advantage of one’s seniority. rank and file the ordinary members of an organization as opposed to its leaders. referring to the ‘ranks’ and ‘files’ into which privates and non-commissioned officers form on parade. — ORIGIN Old French ranc; related to RING1.
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