(~r, ~st)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
Something that is ~ is not common and is therefore interesting or valuable.
...the black-necked crane, one of the ~st species in the world...
She collects ~ plants...
? common
ADJ
2.
An event or situation that is ~ does not occur very often.
...on those ~ occasions when he did eat alone...
Heart attacks were extremely ~ in babies, he said...
= uncommon
? common
ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf
3.
You use ~ to emphasize an extremely good or remarkable quality.
Ferris has a ~ ability to record her observations on paper...
ADJ: ADJ n emphasis
4.
Meat that is ~ is cooked very lightly so that the inside is still red.
Thick tuna steaks are eaten ~, like beef...
ADJ