rear Hear it!

rear1 definition

rear (rir)

noun

  1. the back or hind part of something
  2. the place or position behind or at the back at the rear of the house
  3. the part of a military or naval force farthest from the enemy
  4. ☆ Slang the buttocks

Etymology: prob. back-form. < rear(ward), rear (guard)

adjective

of, at, or in the rear a rear entrance
rear Idioms

bring up the rear

to come at the end, as of a procession; be last in order
rear2 definition

rear (rir)

transitive verb

  1. to put upright; elevate
  2. to build; erect
  3. to grow or breed (animals or plants)
  4. to bring up by educating, nurturing, training, etc.; raise to rear a child

Etymology: ME reren < OE ræran, caus. of risan, to rise

intransitive verb

  1. to rise or stand on the hind legs, as a horse
  2. to rise (up), as in anger
  3. to rise high, as a mountain peak

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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