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