Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
RANK, adj.1 Sc. usages:
1. Strong, stout, formidable; given to violence or excess, turbulent, wild, gen. of persons and sometimes of things. Poet. and chiefly in ballad usage. Comb. rankringing, obstreperous, formidable, riotous (Ayr. 1838 Galt in Tait's Mag. (Jan.) 39). See Ring, v.3, 3.s.Sc. a.1802 Kinmont Willie in Child Ballads No. 186 vi.:
Now haud thy tongue, thou rank reiver! There's never a Scot shall set thee free.Sc. a.1803 May Collin in Child Ballads IV. 442:
They came to a rank river, Was raging like a sea.Sc. 1806 R. Jamieson Pop. Ballads I. 114:
Will ye to the rank highlands, For my lands lay far frae hame.Ayr. 1822 Galt Steam-boat ix.:
A gang of rankringing enemies of blackguard callants came bawling among us.Sc. 1824 R. Gilchrist Local Songs 5:
Archy lang was hale an' rank, the King o' laddies braw.
2. Abundant, copious. Obs. in Eng.ne.Sc. 1830 J. Grant Kcd. Traditions 46:
At mornin' grey when the dews waur rank, An' at gloamin's misty fa'.
