D defs.my
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Entry 12 senses · 6 variants Webster, 1913

Rear

/(rēr)/ · IPA /ɹɪɹ/
01 adv. Early; soon.
  1. 1.
    Early; soon.[Prov. Eng.]
    “Then why does Cuddy leave his cot so rear?” — Gay.
02 n. The back or hindmost part; that which is behind, or last in order; -- opposed to front.
  1. 1.
    The back or hindmost part; that which is behind, or last in order; -- opposed to front.
    “Nipped with the lagging rear of winter's frost.” — Milton.
  2. 2.
    Specifically, the part of an army or fleet which comes last, or is stationed behind the rest.
    “When the fierce foe hung on our broken rear.” — Milton.
03 a. Being behind, or in the hindmost part; hindmost; as, the rear rank of a company.
  1. 1.
    Being behind, or in the hindmost part; hindmost; as, the rear rank of a company.
Phrases & compounds
Rear admiral — an officer in the navy, next in rank below a vice admiral and above a commodore. See Admiral.
Rear front — the rear rank of a body of troops when faced about and standing in that position.
Rear guard — the division of an army that marches in the rear of the main body to protect it; -- used also figuratively.
Rear line — the line in the rear of an army.
Rear rank — the rank or line of a body of troops which is in the rear, or last in order.
Rear sight — the sight nearest the breech.
To bring up the rear — to come last or behind.
04 v. t. To place in the rear; to secure the rear of.
  1. 1.
    To place in the rear; to secure the rear of.[R.]
05 v. t. To raise; to lift up; to cause to rise, become erect, etc.; to elevate; as, to rear a monolith.
imp. & p. p. Reared; p. pr. & vb. n. Rearing
  1. 1.
    To raise; to lift up; to cause to rise, become erect, etc.; to elevate; as, to rear a monolith.
    “In adoration at his feet I fell Submiss; he reared me.” — Milton.
    “It reareth our hearts from vain thoughts.” — Barrow.
    “Mine [shall be] the first hand to rear her banner.” — Ld. Lytton.
  2. 2.
    To erect by building; to set up; to construct; as, to rear defenses or houses; to rear one government on the ruins of another.
    “One reared a font of stone.” — Tennyson.
  3. 3.
    To lift and take up.[Obs. or R.]
    “And having her from Trompart lightly reared, Upon his courser set the lovely load.” — Spenser.
  4. 4.
    To bring up to maturity, as young; to educate; to instruct; to foster; as, to rear offspring.
    “He wants a father to protect his youth, And rear him up to virtue.” — Southern.
  5. 5.
    To breed and raise; as, to rear cattle.
  6. 6.
    To rouse; to stir up.[Obs.]
    “And seeks the tusky boar to rear.” — Dryden.
Syn. To lift; elevate; erect; raise; build; establish. See the Note under Raise, 3 (c).
06 v. i. To rise up on the hind legs, as a horse; to become erect.
  1. 1.
    To rise up on the hind legs, as a horse; to become erect.
Phrases & compounds
Rearing bit — a bit designed to prevent a horse from lifting his head when rearing.