■ noun
1》 the area of variation between limits on a particular scale.
2》 a set of different things of the same general type: a wide ~ of banking services.
3》 the scope or extent of a person's or thing's abilities or capacity.
4》 the distance within which a sense, detector, transmitter, etc. is effective.
↘the distance that can be covered by a vehicle or aircraft without refuelling.
↘the distance attained or attainable by a gun, projectile, etc.
↘the distance between a camera and the subject to be photographed.
5》 a line or series of mountains or hills.
6》 a large area of open land for grazing or hunting.
↘the area over which a plant or animal is distributed.
7》 an area used as a testing ground for military equipment.
↘(also shooting ~ ) an area with targets for shooting practice.
8》 a large cooking stove with several burners or hotplates.
■ verb
1》 vary or extend between specified limits.
2》 place or ar~ in a row or rows or in a specified manner.
↘run or extend in a line in a particular direction.
↘ Brit. Printing (with reference to type) align or be aligned at the ends of successive lines.
3》 ( ~ someone against or be ~d against ) place someone or be placed in opposition to.
4》 travel or wander over a wide area.
5》 cover a wide number of different topics.
6》 find the ~ of a target.
7》 (with reference to a projectile) send or be sent a specified distance.
Origin
ME (in the sense 'line of people or animals'): from OFr. ~ 'row, rank', from rangier 'put in order', from rang 'rank'.