[rent] n [ME rente, fr. OF, income from a property, fr. (assumed) VL rendita, fr. fem. of renditus, pp. of rendere to yield--more at render] (12c) 1: property (as a house) rented or for rent
2. a: a usu. fixed periodical return made by a tenant or occupant of property to the owner for the possession and use thereof; esp: an agreed sum paid at fixed intervals by a tenant to the landlord b: the amount paid by a hirer of personal property to the owner for the use thereof 3 a: the portion of the income of an economy (as of a nation) attributable to land as a factor of production in addition to capital and labor b: economic rent -- for rent : available for use or service in return for payment
[2]rent vt (15c) 1: to grant the possession and enjoyment of in exchange for rent
2: to take and hold under an agreement to pay rent ~ vi 1: to be for rent
2. a: to obtain the possession and use of a place or article in exchange for rent b: to allow the possession and use of property in exchange for rent syn see hire -- rent.abil.i.ty n -- rent.able adj [3]rent past and past part of rend [4]rent n [E dial. rent to rend, fr. ME, alter. of renden--more at rend] (1535) 1: an opening made by or as if by rending
2: a split in a party or organized group: schism
3: an act or instance of rending