Range (rānj), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Ranged (rānjd); p. pr. & vb. n.Ranging (rān″jĭng).] [OE. rengen, OF. rengier, F. ranger, OF. renc row, rank, F. rang; of German origin. See Rank, n.] 1. To set in a row, or in rows; to place in a regular line or lines, or in ranks; to dispose in the proper order; to rank; as, to range soldiers in line.
Maccabeus ranged his army by bands. 2 Macc. xii. 20.
2. To place (as a single individual) among others in a line, row, or order, as in the ranks of an army; — usually, reflexively and figuratively, (in the sense) to espouse a cause, to join a party, etc.
It would be absurd in me to range myself on the side of the Duke of Bedford and the corresponding society. Burke.
3. To separate into parts; to sift. Holland.
4. To dispose in a classified or in systematic order; to arrange regularly; as, to range plants and animals in genera and species.
5. To rove over or through; as, to range the fields.
Teach him to range the ditch, and force the brake. Gay.
6. To sail or pass in a direction parallel to or near; as, to range the coast.
☞ Compare the last two senses (5 and 6) with the French ranger une côte.
7. (Biol.) To be native to, or to live in; to frequent.