rangership 
rangership (ran'jer-ship), n. [< . 
-nlii/>.] The office of ranger or keeper of a for- 
est or park. Tdd. 
range-stove (ranj'stov), . A cooking-stove 
made like a range; a portable range. 
range-table (ranj'ta"bl), n. A table for a par- 
ticular firearm containing the range and the 
time of flight for every elevation, charge of 
powder, and kind of projectile. 
Rangia (ran'ji-a), n. [NL., named after Rang, 
a French conchbiogist.] 1. In conch., the typ- 
ical genus of llangiidie. The S. cyrenoides is com- 
mon in the States bordering on the Gulf of Mexico. Also 
called Onathodan. Des Moidins, 1832. 
2. In Aetinosoa, a genus of cteuophorous aca- 
lephs, ranking as the type of a family. Agassiz, 
1860. 
Rangifer (ran'ji-fer),. [NL. (Hamilton Smith), 
perhaps accom. < OF. rangier, ranger, rancher, 
ranglicr, a reindeer (appar. < Icel. hreinn = 
OSw. Ten, reindeer), + L. fera, a wild beast.] 
A genus of Cervidse, containing arctic and sub- 
arctic species with large irregularly branching 
horns in both sexes, the brow-antler of which is 
highly developed, usually unsymmetrical, and 
more or less palmate, and very broad spreading 
hoofs; the reindeer. See cuts under reindeer 
and caribou. 
rangiferine (ran-jif'e-rin), a. [< Rangifer + 
-twe 1 .] Belonging or relating to the genus Ran- 
gifer; resembling a reindeer. Also Tangerine. 
Rangiidae (ran-ji'i-de), . pi. [NL., < Bangia 
+ -<te.] 1. A family of bivalves, typified by 
the genus Bangia. The animal has short siphons con- 
nected at the base, a large linguiform foot, long palpi, and 
two pairs of gills, of which the outer is narrow and appen- 
dicnlate. The shell is eqnivalve with salient iimbones, and 
the hinge has two cardinal teeth and anterior and posterior 
lateral teeth in each valve, as well as an internal median 
fossa and cartilage. 
2. A family of eurystomatous ctenophorans, 
represented by the genus Rangia. it was based 
on an African Species, and characterized by the deep in- 
dentation between the rows of locomotive flappers and a 
tentacle projecting from the angle of each indentation. 
ranging-rod (rau'jing-rod), n. A surveyors' 
rod or pole. 
Rangoon creeper. See Quisqualis. 
Rangoon tar. See tar. 
rangy (ran'ji), . [(range + -y 1 .] 1. InstocA- 
l>reeding, adapted for ranging or running about, 
or indicating such adaptation ; quick or easy in 
movement; of roving character or capability: 
as, a rangy yoke of oxen (that is, good travel- 
ers, capable of making good speed, as in plow- 
ing) ; rangy steers (that is, steers disposed to 
wander away to a distance, as on a stock-range). 
The word is also sometimes applied to a roving person, as 
a lad who wanders from home, or who has a predilection 
for a roving life, as that of a sailor. [U. S.] 
The ponies . . . used for the circle-riding in the morn- 
ing have need rather to be strong and ranyey. 
T. Roosevelt, Hunting Trips, i. 
2. Having or permitting range or scope; roomy; 
commodious. [U. S.] 
A large rangy shed for the horses. 
Sportsman's Gazetteer, p. 452. 
rani, ranee (ran'e), n. [Also rany, rannee, 
ranny; < Hind, rani, < Skt. rdjfti, queen, fern, of 
rdjan: see raja.] In India, the wife of a raja, 
or a reigning princess; a queen. 
Raniceps (ran'i-seps), n. [NL., < L. rana, a 
frog, + caput, head.] 1. In ichth., aCuvierian 
F"*-al> (Rani** 
natural size. 
Tadpole-hake (Ritiiicefs raninHs). 
genus of gadoid fishes, typical of the family 
Banicipitidse. B. raninus is known as the tad- 
pole-hake. 2. Inherpet., a genus of fossil laby- 
rinthodont amphibians of the Carboniferous. 
Ranicipitidae (ran'i-si-pit'i-de), n. pi. [NL., 
< Raniceps (Ranicipit-) + -id&.] A family of 
gadoid fishes, represented by the genus Bani- 
ceps. Their characters are mostly shared with the G- 
didie, but the suborbital chain is enlarged and continued 
backward over the operculum, the suspensorium of the 
lower jaw is very oblique, and the pyloric cseca are rudi- 
mentary or reduced to two. 
Ranidse (ran'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < Rana 1 + -id*.] 
A family of firraisternal salient amphibians, 
typified by the genus Rinia, with premaxillary 
and maxillary teeth, subcylindrical sacral dia- 
pophyses and precoracoids, and with omoster- 
num ; the frog family. It is the most extensive fam- 
ily of batrachians, about 250 species, of several genera, 
4956 
being known. See/ro0i, and cuts under omogternum and 
raniform (ran'i-form), a. [< NL. raniformix, < 
L. rana, a frog, + formn, form.] Frog-like; 
resembling or related to a frog ; belonging to 
the li'ii iiij'uniii's ; ranine: distinguished from 
liiifo/i (form. 
Raniformes (rau-i-for'mez), n. pi. [NL., pi. of 
ni iiifnfiii i.i : sec niiiiforiii.] A division of ba- 
trachians, including the true frogs : distin- 
guished from Bnfoiiifoniiffi. 
Ranina 1 (ra-ni'na), n. [NL. (Lamarck, 1801), 
fern. sing. 'of rd- 
niinix: see ra- 
nine.] In Crus- 
tacea, the typical 
genus of Jin ii in i- 
'l.i . containing 
such frog-crabs as 
R. dorsipeda. 
Ranina 2 (ra-ni'- 
na), n. pi. [NL., 
In Gunther's clas- 
sification, a divi- 
sion of oxydactyl 
opisthoglossate 
batrachians, con- 
taining 6 families 
of frogs. 
Raninae (ra-ui'- 
ne), n. pi. [NL., 
< Rana 1 -t- -inee.] 
The true frogs as 
a subfamily of batrachians, corresponding to 
the family Ranidse. 
ranine (ra'nin), a. [< F. ranin, < NL. raninus, 
< L. rana, a frog: see Rana 1 .] 1. In herpet., 
pertaining to frogs; related or belonging to the 
lianidse ; raniform. 2. In anat., pertaining to 
the under side of the tip of the tongue, where 
a tumor called a ranula is sometimes formed. 
The ranine artery is the termination of the lingual artery, 
running to the tip of the tongue ; it is accompanied by the 
ranine vein. 
raninian (ra-nin'i-an), a. and n. [< ranine + 
-IH.] I. a. Pertaining to the Raninidse. 
II. . A crab of the family Rainnidee. 
Raninidae (ra-nin'i-de), n.pl. [NL., < Ranina 1 
+ -idse.] A family of anomurous crustaceans, 
typified by the genus Ranina. They have a smooth 
ovate-oblong carapace, the last pair of legs reduced and 
subdorsal, and the abdomen short, partially extended, and 
not folded under the thorax. The species are almost en- 
tirely confined to the tropics. See cut under Raninal. 
raninoid (ran 'i- now), a. Pertaining to the 
Raninoidea; raninian. 
Raninoidea (ran-i-noi'de-a), n.pl. [NL.,</f- 
Hwm 1 + -oidea.~\ A superfamily of anomurous 
crustaceans, represented by the raninians. 
ranite (ran'it), n. [< Icel. Ban, a giant goddess, 
queen of the sea, + -i'te 2 .] A hyttrated silicate 
of aluminium and sodium, derived from the 
alteration of eleeolite: it occurs in southern 
Norway, and is essentially the same as hydro- 
nephelite. 
ranivorous (ra-niv'o-rus), a. [< L. rana, a frog, 
+ rorare, devour.] Frog-eating; subsisting 
habitually or chiefly upon frogs : as, the marsh- 
hawk is ranirorous. 
rank 1 (rangk), a. [< ME. rank, ranc, rank, 
raunk, renk, strong, proud, also rancid (influ- 
enced by OF. ranee, rand, rancid : see rancid) ; 
< AS. ranc, proud, forward, arrogant, showy, 
bold, valiant, = D. MLG. LG. G. rank, slender, 
projecting, lank, = Icel. rakkr (for *rankr), 
straight, slender, bold, valiant, = Sw.rani, long 
and thin, = Dan. rank, straight, erect, slender.] 
If. Strong; powerful; capable of acting or of 
being used with great effect ; energetic ; vigor- 
ous; headstrong. 
There arof all the rowte with there Ranke shippes. 
Cast ancres with cables that kene were of byt. 
Destruction of Troy (E. E. T. S.), 1. 4701. 
Socha rancke and full writer must vse, if he will do wise- 
lie, the exercise of a verie good kinde of Epitome. 
Ascham, The Scholeniaster, p. 112. 
When folke bene fat, and riches rancke, 
It is a signe of helth. Spenser, Shep. Cal., July. 
Her rank teeth the glittering poisons chaw. 
Middleton, Entertainment to King James. 
2. Strong of its kind or in character; unmiti- 
gated ; virulent ; thorough ; utter : as, rank poi- 
son ; rank treason ; rank nonsense. 
The renke rebelle has been un-to my rounde table, 
Redy aye with Romaynes! 
Morte Arthure (E. E. T. S.), 1. 2402. 
Whose sacred filletes all besprinkled were 
With filth of gory blod, and venim rank. 
Surrey, -Bneid, ii. 
rank 
Willie mourns o'er her in vain, 
And to his mother he has gane, 
That vile rank witch, o' vilest kind ! 
WMie'n Ladye (Child's Ballads, I. 163). 
Rank corruption, mining all within, 
Infects unseen. Shak., Hamlet, iii. 4. 148. 
Run, run, ye rogues, ye precious rogues, ye rank rogues ! 
Fletcher, Bonduca, iv. 2. 
What are these but rank pedants? 
Addison, The Man of the Town. 
3. Strong in growth ; growing with vigor or ra- 
pidity; hence, coarse or gross: said of plants. 
Seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and 
good. Gen. xli. 5. 
Rank weeds, that every art and care defy, 
Reign o'er the land, and rob the blighted rye. 
Craboe, Works, I. 5. 
As o'er the verdant waste I guide my steed, 
Among the high rank grass that sweeps his sides. 
Bryant, The Prairies. 
4. Suffering from overgrowth or hypertrophy; 
plethoric. [Rare.] 
I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, 
Who else must be let blood, who else is rank. 
Shak., 3. C., ill. 1. 162. 
5. Causing strong growth; producing luxuri- 
antly ; rich and fertile. 
Where land is rank, 'tis not good to sow wheat after a 
fallow. Mortimer, Husbandry. 
6. Strong to the senses; offensive; noisome; 
rancid : as, a rank taste or odor. 
To thy fair flower add the rank smell of weeds. 
Shak., Sonnets, Ixlx. 
And because they [the Caphrarians] alwaysannoint them- 
selues with grease and fat, they yeeld a ranke smell. 
Purchas, Pilgrimage, p. 693. 
Whence arise 
Bat weeds of dark luxuriance, tares of haste, 
Rank at the core, though tempting to the eyes. 
Byron, Childe Harold, iv. 120. 
A number held pipes between their teeth, filling the 
room with the rank smoke of the strongest and blackest 
tobacco. C. ./. Bellamy, Breton Mills, ii. 
Hence 7. Coarse or gross morally; offensive 
to the mind; obscene; indecent; foul. 
My wife 's a hobby-horse, deserves a name 
As rank as any flax-wench. Shak., W. T., L 2. 277. 
The London Cuckolds, the most rank play that ever suc- 
ceeded, was then [in the time of King Charles II.) In the 
highest court favour. Life of (,""'" (reprint 1887), p. 14. 
The euphemisms suggested by the American Revisers 
were certainly desirable, instead of the rank words which 
offend American sensibilities. 
BMiotheca Sacra, XLIII. 557. 
8f. Kuttish ; in heat. 
The ewes, being rank, 
In the end of autumn turned to the rams. 
Shak., M. of V., L 3. 81. 
9. In law, excessive; exceeding the actual 
value: as, a rank modus. 10. In mech., cutting 
strongly or deeply, as the iron of a plane set so 
as to project more than usual. 
A roughing tool with ranifeed or a finish tool with fine 
feed. Sci. Amer., N. S., LI. 32. 
11. Eager; anxious; impatient: as, he was 
rank to dp it. [Slang, U. S.] 12. Very angry ; 
in a passion. [Prov. Eng.] 
rankH (rangk), adv. [< rank 1 , a.] Rankly; 
strongly ; furiously. 
The seely man, seeing him ryde so ranck, 
And ayme at him, fell flatt to ground for feare. 
Spenser, F. Q., II. iii. 6. 
He 's irrecoverable ; mad, ranke mad. 
MarOon, What you Will, i. 1. 
rank'f (rangk), v. i. [ME. "ranken, ronken; < 
rank^, a.] To beffome rank. 
Kr hit ronke on rote. Anglia, iv. 19. 
rank 2 (rangk), n. [Early mod. E. also ranck, 
ranke; < ME. renk, usually reng, pi. renges, 
ringes, a row or line of soldiers, class, order, 
grade, station, < OF. renc, reng, later rang, F. 
rang (> D. G. Dan. Sw. rang), F. dial, ringue, 
raing = Pr. renc = OCat. renc, a rank, row, 
range ; < OHG. hring, lirinc, MHG. rinc, G. ring, 
a ring, = E. ring: see ringl, n. Cf. harangue, 
from the same ult. (OHG.) source. The Bret. 
renk is < F. ; Ir. ranc < E.] 1. A line, row, or 
range. [Obsolete or archaic except in specific 
uses. See range, 1.] 
And all the fruitful! spawne of fishes hew 
In endlesse ranclcs along enrauged were. 
Spenser, F. Q., III. vi. 35. 
If therefore we look upon the rank or chain of things 
voluntarily derived from the positive will of God, we be- 
hold the riches of his glory proposed as the end of all. 
Hooker, Eccles. Polity, v., App. 1. 
The rank of osiers by the murmuring stream. 
Shak., As you Like it, iv. 3. 80. 
Two equal! ranks of Orient Pearls impale 
The open throat. 
Sylvester, tr. of Du Bartas's Weeks, 1. 6. 
