| 释义 |
rare
I. \ˈra(a)](ə)r, ˈre], ]ə\ adjective
(rarer ; rarest)
Etymology: alteration (influenced by rare) (II) of earlier rere, from Middle English, from Old English hrēre boiled lightly; akin to Old English & Old Saxon hrōr busy, active, strong, Old English hrēran to stir — more at crater
: cooked to a slight degree
< rare roast beef >
II. adjective
(rarer ; rarest)
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin rarus; perhaps akin to Latin rete net — more at retina
1. : characterized by wide separation of component particles : thin
< the rare air of the mountain top >
— compare dense
2.
a. : marked by unusual quality, merit, appeal, or capacity to please : distinctive, excellent
< what is so rare as a day in June — J.R.Lowell >
b. : superlative or extreme in its kind : fine, great, real
< he'll make a rare fuss — Eden Phillpots >
3. : seldom occurring or appearing : widely separated in space or time : few and far between : unusual, uncommon, infrequent
< rare patches of green in the desert — Emma Hawkridge >
< in back country where automobiles from other parts are rare — Cornelius Weygandt >
specifically : belonging to a small group or class
< argon is a rare gas >
4. : valued for its scarcity or exceptional character
< a rare book >
Synonyms: see choice, thin
III. adjective & adverb
Etymology: probably alteration of rathe
chiefly dialect : early
IV.
chiefly dialect
variant of rear
V.
chiefly dialect
variant of roar |