Rank Means a Row, a Position and a Foul Smell
A rank is a position in a hierarchy. A separate rank means offensively strong.
A rank is a position in a hierarchy, or a row of things; as an adjective it means offensively strong in smell or growth. These are separate words. The row is Old French *renc*, from a Germanic word for a ring or circle of people, and gives the military *ranks* and *rank and file*. The adjective is Old English *ranc*, which meant proud or full-grown, and weakened into the sense of overgrown, then foul. *Rank* in *rank injustice* keeps the sense of excessive rather than smelly.
- A position. *The rank of captain.*
- A row. *A taxi rank.*
- Offensively strong. *A rank smell.*
- Complete. *Rank stupidity.*
- Old French — *renc*, a row. *The position.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | rank | A rank. |
| Verb | rank | Ranking. |
| Adjective | rank | Rank. |
| Compound | rank and file | The rank and file. |
| Old English | ranc | Proud. |
- He rose through the ranks.Hierarchy.
- A rank smell of decay.Smell.
- Rank stupidity.Emphasis.
Where rank and file comes from
- A rank is a line of soldiers side by side
- A file is a line one behind another
- Together they describe ordinary soldiers in formation
- Officers stood outside the formation
- The phrase now means ordinary members of any body
The position is Old French *renc*, of Germanic origin. The adjective is Old English *ranc*, proud or full-grown.
Are the two ranks related?
No. One means a row or position, the other comes from an Old English word meaning proud, which weakened to overgrown and then foul.
What does rank and file mean?
Ordinary members. A rank is a side-by-side line of soldiers, a file is a front-to-back one; officers stood apart.