Where does “rankless” come from?
rankless (English) comes from English rank, from Middle English rank, from Old English ranc, from Proto-Germanic rankaz, from Proto-Indo-European reǵ- — to bind; straight, direct; straight, right.
rankless (English): Devoid of rank
Definitions
- Devoid of rank
Ancestry of “rankless”, step by step
rankless traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English rank
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | rank | Strong of its kind or in character; unmitigated;... |
| 2 | Middle English | rank | line, row; strong, proud |
| 3 | Old English | ranc | proud, haughty, arrogant, insolent, froward,... |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | rankaz | erect, upright |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | reǵ- | to bind; straight, direct; straight, right |