adj. rank·er, rank·est 1. Growing profusely or with excessive vigor: rank vegetation. 2. Yielding a profuse, often excessive crop; highly fertile: rank earth. 3. Strong and offensive in odor or flavor: rank gym clothes. [Middle English ranc, from Old English, strong, overbearing; see reg- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] rankly adv. rankness n. |
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