First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1rear
verb \ˈrir, vt4 & vi2 are also ˈrer\
: to take care of (a young person or animal)
of an animal : to rise up on the back legs with the front legs in the air
: to rise high in the air
Full Definition of REAR
transitive verb
1
: to erect by building : construct
2
: to raise upright
3
a (1) : to breed and raise (an animal) for use or market (2) : to bring to maturity or self-sufficiency usually through nurturing care <reared five children> <birds rearing their young> b : to cause (as plants) to grow
4
: to cause (a horse) to rise up on the hind legs
intransitive verb
1
: to rise high
2
of a horse : to rise up on the hind legs
— rear·er noun
See rear defined for English-language learners
See rear defined for kids
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Origin of REAR
Middle English reren, from Old English rǣran; akin to Old Norse reisa to raise, Old English rīsan to rise
Related to REAR
Synonym Discussion of REAR
lift, raise, rear, elevate, hoist, heave, boost mean to move from a lower to a higher place or position. lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight <lift the chair while I vacuum>. raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position <scouts raising a flagpole>. rear may add an element of suddenness to raise <suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs>. elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied <elevated the taste of the public>. hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means <hoisted the cargo on board>. heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain <heaved the heavy crate inside>. boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push <boosted his brother over the fence>.
Rhymes with REAR
air, Ayr, bare, bear, Blair, blare, care, chair, chare, dare, Dare, e'er, ere, err, eyre, fair, fare, flair, flare, glair, glare, hair, hare, Herr, heir, lair, mare, ne'er, pair, pare, pear, prayer, rare, scare, share, snare, spare, square, stair, stare, swear, tare, tear, their, there, vair, ware, wear, weir, where, yare
2rear
noun \ˈrir\
: the part of something that is opposite to or away from the front part : the back part of something
: the part of your body that you sit on
Full Definition of REAR
1
: the back part of something: as a : the unit (as of an army) or area farthest from the enemy b : the part of something located opposite its front <the rear of a house> c : buttocks
2
: the space or position at the back <moved to the rear>
See rear defined for English-language learners
Origin of REAR
Middle English rere, short for rerewarde rearward
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Anatomy Terms
3rear
adjective \ˈrir\
: at or near the back of something
Full Definition of REAR
: being at the back <the rear entrance>
See rear defined for English-language learners
Origin of REAR
Middle English rere-, from Anglo-French rere backward, behind, from Latin retro- — more at retro
First Known Use: 14th century
4rear
adverb \ˈrir\
Definition of REAR
: toward or from the rear —usually used in combination <a rear-driven car>
First Known Use of REAR
1855
REAR Defined for Kids
1rear
verb \ˈrir\
rearedrear·ing
Definition of REAR for Kids
1
: to rise up on the hind legs <The horse reared in fright.>
2
: to bring up <They wanted to rear children in the country.>
3
: to rise high
4
: to take care of the breeding and raising of <rear cattle>
2rear
noun
Definition of REAR for Kids
1
: the space or position at the back <Go to the rear of the building.>
2
: the part (as of an army) or area farthest from the enemy
3
: the human buttocks
3rear
adjective
Definition of REAR for Kids
: being at the back <a rear tire>
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