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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Rank, n. Also: ranke, ranck, raink; Rang(e. [e.m.E. rank (1570), OF renc (1080 in Larousse) var. of rang. See also Renk n.¹]

1. A row or line of persons (esp. of soldiers) or of things.In the quot. from Alex., prob. erron. for renkis, s.v. Renk n.¹ 1.(1) ?1438 Alex.(c1580) ii 10085.
Throw the thikkest of rankis he raid 1570 Sat. P. xxii 6.
A gylefull grume … to … be a gyde to blind men in a rank c1590 Fowler I 44/205.
With hir wes Iphis in that rank 1581-1623 James VI Poems II 83/39.
The rubies … That hides her iuorie rankes 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 14.
All the way ye have 4 ranks of tries ?1665 M. Bruce Six Dreadfull Alarms 17.
The Christians in Scotland … can neither keep fyle nor rank(2) (a) 1596 Dalr. II 234/25.
His horse weil disponed, put in raink and in gude ordour(b) 1587-99 Hume 53/43.
Lawers in ranks, and siluer baissings shine 1636 Marquis Huntly's Funeral Roll (Royal Mus. Scotl.).
Four trumpeteirs twa in rank the ane tua to relive the vther tua See 1636 Soc. Ant. LXXVII 159.
His branches … borne be saulies tua in rank c1650 Spalding I 166.
Thay went about the cross in rank

2. A grouping or set of persons, as defined by their membership of a common trade, occupation or the like.? Chiefly in Glasgow. 1600-1610 Melvill 324.
Amangs ministerie gentilmen or burgesses. … Your majestie sall do weill to giff Mr. David a syse of anie in all tha thrie ranks 1605 Glasgow Chart. I i dcix.
The Deane of Gild … sall … nominat twa of the mercheand rank to be on lyt with him self Ib.
The Deane of Gild and his counsall sall be composit yeirlie of … four mercheandis … and four craftismen, … the maist worthiest of boith rankis 1613 Glasgow Trades House 46.
And four persounes of the meittest of the rank of craftismen 1689 Glasgow B. Rec. III 434.
Divided the haill merchand rank … in three lytts 1693 Glasgow Bakers 38.
In name of the haill merchant rank 1697 Glasgow B. Rec. IV 238.
Tuo persones … chosen by the said kirk session out of the newtrall rank

b. More generally, a set of persons distinguished by any common quality or characteristic. 1595 Aberd. B. Rec. II 124.
The puir … deuydit in four rankis, to vit, in babis, decayit persones houshalderis, leamit and impotent persones, and in sic as war decrepit and auld 1622 Melrose P. 471.
I micht be estimat in rank of ingraitis 1659 Glasg. Univ. Mun. III 432.
And distinguishing the scholares in three degrees. … Primare sex shillings, … the secondare thrie shillings, … the third rank twa shillings sterline

c. A class of things; a category. — a1599 Rollock Wks. I 438.
Now I sal draw thir concupiscences to certain ranks

3. A social class; a distinct grade in a structured society. b. (One's) social standing or status.(1) 1593–4 Cal. Sc. P. XI 265.
[That the law] stryke upoun everie ranke of Papistis [according to their merit] 1596 Dalr. I 347/13.
He was bot of the mid ranck of nobles, a knichtis secund sone 1599 Conv. Burghs II 47.
The indigens of George Strawchane burges of Aberdein, sumtyme of honest rank and estimatioun a1605 Montg. Sonn. xxxiii 13.
Rank and renoun in lytill roum sho ranged 1609 Acts IV 434/1.
The subiectis of greatest rank and qualitie vpoun everie nauchtie occasioun … did so readelie imbrace [etc.] 1622-6 Bisset I 110/6.
Any knycht … sik as ar of that rank and moyane, ar nocht necessar to be advocattis 1638 Nat. Covenant in Facs. Nat. MSS III xcvii.
The Confession of Faith subscribed at first by the kings majestie … thereafter by persons of all rankes 1645 S. Leith Rec. 64/2.
Uthers of under rank to resort to the kill in Logan's Lie 1658 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 177.
The haill inhabitants of all ranks and degreis 1673 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. III 1.
More than ordinary expense they were at in being absent from their own homes, and to hold out a rank with, for the grandeur of the kingdom 1689 Leven & Melv. P. 248.
He is so much jealous'd and hated by all ranks(2) 1600-1610 Melvill 15.
Ther was nane of his rank and verie few above it that was sa honored and loven as he Ib. 82.
He haid fam and estimation passing all of his tread and rank 1602 Misc. Spald. C. II 287.
Being sa longe lingared be noble men off our rank and abowe

c. A person of rank, a person of high position in society. — 1611 Reg. Privy C. IX 213.
[Among the delinquents there are] personis of rank and calling