Middle English Dictionary Entry
rank n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | rank n.(2) |
| Etymology | From rank adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Pride; (b) ?festering of a sore or wound; a festering sore or boil [cp. ranclinge ger.].
Associated quotations
a
- c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10)298 : Euer walteres þis whal bi wyldren depe, Þurȝ mony a regioun ful roȝe, þurȝ ronk of his wylle.
b
- c1450 Burg.Practica (Rwl D.251)255/9 : Here ys a good entrete for to opyn, clanse, hele, and to do a-way akyng and to swage ranke and to put awey ded flesche yn wondys.
- ?c1450 Iff a man (Stockh 10.90)303/309,315 : Make a playstyr..Do leye þis playstyr þe ranke [Add: rankyll] vp-on..It may be..leyde ageyne..ley it to þe ranke [Add: renkille] al a day, And þe rankynge schal swage away.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. rank.