The quality of being rank, of having a repulsive or pungent odor.
- 1578, Raphael Holinshed et al., Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande, Volume I, Book 3, Chapter 1 “Of cattell kept for profit,” p. 222,
[…] the bowels of the beast are commonlie cast awaie because of their ranknesse […]
Exuberant or uncontrolled growth.
- Tam’d us to Manners, when the Stage was rude;
(obsolete) Exuberance, excessiveness.
(obsolete) Insolence.