From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Range \Range\ (r[=a]nj), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ranged}
(r[=a]njd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Ranging} (r[=a]n"j[i^]ng).] [OE.
rengen, OF. rengier, F. ranger, OF. renc row, rank, F. rang;
of German origin. See {Rank}, n.]
1. To set in a row, or in rows; to place in a regular line or
lines, or in ranks; to dispose in the proper order; to
rank; as, to range soldiers in line.
[1913 Webster]
Maccabeus ranged his army by bands. --2 Macc. xii.
20.
[1913 Webster]
2. To place (as a single individual) among others in a line,
row, or order, as in the ranks of an army; -- usually,
reflexively and figuratively, (in the sense) to espouse a
cause, to join a party, etc.
[1913 Webster]
It would be absurd in me to range myself on the side
of the Duke of Bedford and the corresponding
society. --Burke.
[1913 Webster]
3. To separate into parts; to sift. [Obs.] --Holland.
[1913 Webster]
4. To dispose in a classified or in systematic order; to
arrange regularly; as, to range plants and animals in
genera and species.
[1913 Webster]
5. To rove over or through; as, to range the fields.
[1913 Webster]
Teach him to range the ditch, and force the brake.
--Gay.
[1913 Webster]
6. To sail or pass in a direction parallel to or near; as, to
range the coast.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Compare the last two senses (5 and 6) with the French
ranger une c[^o]te.
[1913 Webster]
7. (Biol.) To be native to, or to live in; to frequent.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
ranging
adj 1: wandering freely; "at night in bed...his slowly ranging
thoughts...encountered her"
|
