Our conversation ranged over many topics. 3 [T+obj+adv/prep] to put in position or order, especially in lines or rows; arrange: She ranged the goods neatly in the shop window.
'range,finder n an instrument for finding the distance of an object when shooting or taking photographs
rang·er /'reɪndʒər/ n 1 the keeper of a forest or area of country, such as a NATIONAL PARK 2 (in N America) a policeman who rides through country areas to see that the law is kept → see also LONE RANGER 3 (in the US) a·COM-MANDO 4 an older member of the GUIDES, aged from 14 to 25
'Range, Rover trademark a type of large expensive car made in the UK by the Rover company. Range Rovers are strongly built, like LAND ROVERS, so they can be driven on rough ground, but they are more comfortable. In the UK, Range Rovers are considered a STATUS SYMBOL and are typically owned by wealthy people who live in the country.
Ran•gers /'reɪndʒəzəl-ərz/ a Scottish football team based in Glasgow, officially called Glasgow Rangers, whose supporters are mainly Protestant. There is much competition between Rangers and CELTIC, the other main Glasgow football team, whose supporters are mainly Roman Catholic.
Ran-goon /ræŋˈguːn/ the former name of Yangôn
rang·y /'reɪndʒi/ adj with long thin strong legs: a tall, rangy boy
rank¹ /ræŋk/ n 1 [C;U] a level of relative value, ability, importance etc, on a scale, especially the official position someone holds in the army, navy etc: to attain the rank of general | He's above me in rank. | a writer of the first/front/top rank (=among the best) 2 [C;U] (high) social class: a person of rank | people of all ranks 3 [C] a line of soldiers, policemen etc, standing side by side 4 [C(of)] a line of people or things: Rank upon rank of ancient elms stretched away to the horizon. → see also TAXI RANK 5 keep/break rank(s) (of soldiers) to stay/fail to stay in line: The enemy broke rank(s) and ran. 6 close ranks (of a group of people) to join together to face difficulties: When their business failed, the family closed ranks and worked to pay off the debts. 7 pull rank infml to use the advantage of one's higher position, perhaps unfairly: When my assistant became obstinate I had to pull rank (on him) and insist that he obey. → see also RANKS
rank² v 1 [I+adv/prep;T+obj+adv/prep] to have or regard as having a certain rank or relative position: This result ranks as one of their most successful election performances of the last ten years. I a tennis player who is ranked third in the world (=officially regarded as the third-best player) I a high-ranking diplomat 2 [T often pass.] to arrange in regular order: The cups were ranked neatly on the shelf. 3 [T] AmE (of an officer) to be of higher rank than: A general ranks a captain.
rank³ adj 1 (of a plant) too thick and widespread: rank grass 2 (of smell or taste) very strong and unpleasant: rank tobacco 3 [A] (especially of bad things) complete: He's a rank beginner at the job. | It was rank bad luck. —ly adv —ness n [U]
'rank and 'file n [the+sing./pl. v] 1 the ordinary members of an organization as opposed to the leaders: The rank and file is/are getting discontented. | the rank-and-file members of a trade union 2 the ordinary soldiers who are not officers
rank-er /ˈræŋkər/ n BrE an officer who has risen from being an ordinary soldier
'Rank Organi,sation, the a British organization started by Joseph Rank (1888–1972), which began in the film business and later developed its business to include hotels and entertainment centres
rank·ing /ˈræŋkɪŋ/ adj [A] AmE (of an officer) of highest rank: Who's the ranking officer here?
ran·kle /ˈrænkəl/ v [ˈl(with)] to continue to be remembered with bitterness and anger: Their defeat still rankles (with them).
ranks /ræŋks/ n 1 [P(of)] pomp or humor the stated class or group: She's joined the ranks of the (=become) unemployed. I a brilliant speech that helped to swell (=increase) the ranks of his supporters 2 the/other ranks ordinary soldiers below the rank of SERGEANT: He was reduced to the ranks as a punishment for drinking. I an officer who has risen from the ranks
ran·sack /ˈrænsæk/ v [T] 1 to search (a place) thoroughly and roughly, causing disorder: The police ransacked the house, looking for drugs. 2 to go through (a place) stealing and causing widespread damage: Enemy soldiers ransacked the town.
ran·som¹ /'rænsəm/ n 1 a sum of money paid to free a prisoner who is being held illegally: We had to pay a large ransom. 2 hold someone to ransom to keep someone prisoner so as to demand payment: The terrorists kidnapped the boy and held him to ransom. | (fig.) We will not allow these strikers to hold the country to ransom.
ransom² v [T] to set (someone) free by paying a ransom
—~er n
Ran·some, Arthur /ˈrænsəm/ (1884–1967) a British writer best known for his adventure stories about SAILING for children, especially SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS
rant /rænt/ v [|ʌn|] usually derog to talk in a loud excited way, using grand but meaningless phrases: The priest ranted (on) about the devil and all his works. | He's been ranting and raving about the way they insulted him. —rant n [U]
rant·ings /'ræntɪŋz/ n [P] a long speech in which someone complains about something in a loud, excited, and rather confused way
Ran·tzen, Es·ther /'ræntsən, 'estər/ (1940-) a British television presenter, known especially for appearing on the programme That's Life (1973–1994). She is also known for her work with CHILDLINE, an organization that helps children who are being badly treated.
rap¹ /ræp/ n 1 [U] a type of POP music in which the words of a song are spoken in time with music with a steady beat. Rap is performed especially by black people. → see Feature on page A16 2 [C] (the sound of) a quick light blow: I heard a rap on the door. | The teacher gave me a rap over the head with her pencil. | (fig.) The newspaper received an official rap over the knuckles from the palace for the way it reported the story about the princess. (=angry disapproval was expressed) 3 [S usually in negatives] infml the least bit: I don't care a rap for him. 4 beat the rap AmE slang to escape punishment 5 take the rap (for) slang to receive the punishment (for someone else's crime)
rap² v -pp- 1 [l+prep;T] to strike quickly and lightly: Someone was rapping loudly at the door/on the table.  $ \dagger $ She rapped her pen on the table and called for silence.  $ \mathbf{2} $ [T] BrE (especially in newspapers) to speak to or about with severe disapproval: The judge rapped the police for their treatment of the witness.  $ \mathbf{3} $ [T(out)] to say sharply and suddenly: The officer rapped out an order.  $ \mathbf{4} $ [l] old-fashion slang, especially AmE to talk; CHAT  $ \mathbf{5} $ [l] to speak the words of a song to music with a steady beat  $ \rightarrow $ see also RAP
ra·pa·cious /rə'peɪʃəs/ adj fml taking everything one can, especially by force: a rapacious band of robbers —→ly adv —→ness, —→city /rə'pæs'ti/ n [U]
rape $ ^{1} $ /reip/ v [T] (especially of a man) to have sex with (someone, especially a woman) against their will. Rape is illegal in most countries. In the past in Britain, a man could not be charged with raping his wife, because he had CONJU-GAL RIGHTS (=the right to have sex with his wife). However, rape within marriage is now a crime.
rape² n [C;U] 1 (a case of) the crime of raping someone: a rape victim | to commit rape → see also RAPIST 2 fml spoiling: the rape of our beautiful forests
rape $ ^{3} $ also canola AmE — n [U] a European plant with yellow flowers, grown as animal food and for the oil produced from its seeds
Raph·a·el¹ /'ræfeɪəl/ in the Christian religion, an ARCHANGEL (=a spirit of the highest rank who lives with God in Heaven) → see also GABRIEL, MICHAEL
Raphael $ ^{2} $ (1483–1520) an Italian painter and ARCHITECT (=someone who designs buildings), one of the most important artists of the RENAISSANCE, who painted mostly religious subjects. His full name in Italian is Raffaello Sanzio. → see also PRE-RAPHAELITE
Raphael, Sal·ly Jes·sy /'saeli 'dzesi/ (1943-) a US tele-vision presenter who had her own show from 1985–2002, in which people told their personal secrets and talked about their problems