range

range [rānj]

vt.

ranged, ranging [ME rangen < OFr ranger, var. of rengier, to arrange in a circle, row (> ME rengen) < renc < Frank * hring, akin to OE, OHG hring,RING²]

1. to arrange in a certain order; esp., to set in a row or rows

2. to put into the proper class or classes; systematize

3. to place with others in a cause, party, etc. [to range oneself with the rebels]

4. to put (a gun, telescope, etc.) in a line with the target or object, at a proper angle of elevation; train

5. Now Rare to make level or even

6. to travel over or through; roam about [to range the woods]

7. to travel or move along [to range the coastline ]

☆ 8. to put out (cattle, etc.) to graze on a range

9. to arrange (the anchor cable) in even rows on deck

vi.

1. to extend, reach, or lie in a given direction or in a row [hills ranging toward the south]

2. to wander about; roam

3. to move about an area, as in hunting [dogs ranging through the woods]

4. to have a specified range [a gun that ranges five miles]

5. to vary between stated limits [children ranging in age from 5 to 12]

6. Biol. to be native to a specified region

n.

[ME reng < OFr renc]

1. a row, line, or series; rank

2. a class, kind, or order

3. a series of connected mountains considered as a single system

4.

a) the maximum effective horizontal distance that a weapon can fire its projectile

b) the horizontal distance from a weapon to its target

c) the path of flight for a missile or rocket

d) the distance to or from any target, goal, or object of interest [to view a wild animal at close range]

5. the maximum distance a plane, etc. can travel without fueling

6.

a) a place for shooting practice

b) a place for testing rockets in flight

7. the full extent over which something moves or is heard, seen, understood, effective, etc.; scope [the range of one's studies]

8. full extent of pitch, from highest to lowest tones, of a voice, instrument, composition, etc.

9. a wandering or roaming

☆ 10. a large, open area of land over which livestock can wander and graze

11. the limits of possible variations of amount, degree, etc. [a wide range of prices]

12. a unit for cooking, typically including an oven and surface heating units and usually operated by gas or electricity

☆ 13. in U.S. public surveying, a strip of land between two meridian lines six miles apart, constituting a row of townships

14. Biol. the region to which a plant or animal is native

15. Math. the set of all distinct values that may be taken on by a given function

16. Statistics the difference between the largest and smallest values in a sample

adj.

☆ of a range, or open grazing place

SYN.- RANGE refers to the full extent over which something is perceivable, effective, etc. [the range of his knowledge ]; REACH refers to the furthest limit of effectiveness, influence, etc. [beyond the reach of my understanding ]; SCOPE implies considerable room and freedom of range, but within prescribed limits [does it fall within the scope of this dictionary? ]; COMPASS also suggests completeness within limits regarded as a circumference [he did all within the compass of his power ]; GAMUT, in this connection, refers to the full range of shades, tones, etc. between the limits of something [the full gamut of emotions ]