From Middle English reren (“to raise”), from Old English rǣran (“to raise, set upright, promote, exalt, begin, create, give rise to, excite, rouse, arouse, stir up”), from Proto-West Germanic *raiʀijan, from Proto-Germanic *raizijaną, *raisijaną (“to cause to rise, raise”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁rey- (“to lift oneself, rise”).
Cognate with Scots rere (“to construct, build, rear”), Icelandic reisa (“to raise”), Gothic 𐍂𐌰𐌹𐍃𐌾𐌰𐌽 (raisjan, “to cause to rise, lift up, establish”), German reisen (“to travel”, literally “to rear up and depart”); and a doublet of raise. More at rise.
Related to rise and raise, which is used for several of its now archaic or obsolete senses and for some of its senses that are currently more common in other dialects of English.
Meanings
(transitive) To bring up to maturity, as offspring; to educate; to instruct; to foster.
He wants a father to protect his youth, and rear him up to virtue. 1694, Thomas Southerne, Isabella: Or The Fatal Marriage:
(said of people towards animals, transitive) To breed and raise.
The family has been rearing cattle for 200 years.
(intransitive) To rise up on the hind legs.
The horse was shocked, and thus reared.
(intransitive, usually, with "up") To get angry.
(intransitive) To rise high above, tower above.
By my side reared a solid stone wall, and beneath was simply the room we stood in, for the space below the stairway was not enclosed. 1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC:
(literary, transitive) To raise physically or metaphorically; to lift up; to cause to rise, to elevate.
Mine [shall be] the first hand to rear her banner. 1835, Lord Lytton, Rienzi, the Last of the Roman Tribunes:
Poverty reared its ugly head. (appeared, started, began to have an effect)
In adoration at his feet I fell Submiss; he reared me. 1667, John Milton, “Book VII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
The monster slowly reared its head.
(rare, transitive) To construct by building; to set up
to rear one government on the ruins of another.
One reared a font of stone. 1847, Alfred Tennyson, “Prologue”, in The Princess: A Medley, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC:
to rear defenses or houses
(rare, transitive) To raise spiritually; to lift up; to elevate morally.
It reareth our hearts from vain thoughts. 1700, Isaac Barrow, Of Industry...:
(obsolete, transitive) To lift and take up.
And hauing her from Trompart lightly reard, / Vpon his Courser set the louely lode, 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 19:
(obsolete, transitive) To rouse; to strip up.
And seeks the tusky boar to rear. 1684, John Dryden, The Second Epode of Horace:
ru возноси́ть (to lift, raise etc. physically) · ru вы́растить (to breed and raise) · mi whakatipu (to bring up to maturity) · pt erguer (to set up, construct) · km លៀង (to bring up to maturity) · mi whakatupu (to bring up to maturity) · fr élever (to breed and raise) · fr ériger (to lift spiritually) · ru воздвига́ть (to set up, construct) · de aufziehen (to bring up to maturity) · vi nuôi nấng (to bring up to maturity) · ru возвыша́ть (to lift, raise etc. physically) · mi tānapu (to rise on the hind legs) · de erziehen (to bring up to maturity) · es construir (to set up, construct) · grc τρέφω (to breed and raise) · es criar (to breed and raise) · ga tóg (to lift, raise etc. physically) · ja 育てる (to breed and raise) · grc τρέφω (to bring up to maturity) · ja 育てる (to lift, raise etc. physically) · gd tog (to bring up to maturity) · de züchten (to breed and raise) · vi nuôi (to breed and raise) · ru вознести́ (to lift, raise etc. physically) · ga tóg (to breed and raise) · bg вдигам (to lift, raise etc. physically) · pt construir (to set up, construct) · pt erigir (to set up, construct) · nl verheffen (to lift spiritually) · nl opvoeden (to bring up to maturity) · ckb پەروەردە کردن (to bring up to maturity) · ckb پێگەیشتن (to bring up to maturity) · hu felágaskodik (to lift, raise etc. physically) · pt criar (to bring up to maturity) · cs vychovat (to bring up to maturity) · lv audzināt (to bring up to maturity) · de steigen (to rise on the hind legs) · de aufrichten (to lift, raise etc. physically) · es criar (to bring up to maturity) · it edificare (to set up, construct) · pt criar (to lift, raise etc. physically) · ru возвы́сить (to lift, raise etc. physically) · nl oprichten (to lift, raise etc. physically) · it elevare (to lift, raise etc. physically) · bg повдигам (to lift, raise etc. physically) · bg изправям се на задни крака (to rise on the hind legs) · fi kasvattaa (to bring up to maturity) · nl construeren (to set up, construct) · pt erguer (to lift, raise etc. physically) · ru воздви́гнуть (to set up, construct) · ru сооруди́ть (to set up, construct) · ga tóg (to bring up to maturity) · ee nyi (to bring up to maturity) · ru возводи́ть (to set up, construct) · ru воспита́ть (to bring up to maturity) · km ចិញ្ចឹម (to breed and raise) · io edukar (to breed and raise) · pt levantar (to lift, raise etc. physically) · de großziehen (to bring up to maturity) · ja そびえ立つ (to set up, construct) · gl criar (to breed and raise) · gd tog (to set up, construct) · gl erguer (to set up, construct) · fr élever (to bring up to maturity) · ka ყალყზე დადგომა (to rise on the hind legs) · ru возвести́ (to set up, construct) · pt criar (to breed and raise) · ru встава́ть на дыбы́ (to rise on the hind legs) · nl kweken (to breed and raise) · fi nousta takajaloilleen (to rise on the hind legs) · it sollevare (to lift, raise etc. physically) · fr édifier (to lift, raise etc. physically) · fi pystyttää (to set up, construct) · hu felegyenesedik (to lift, raise etc. physically) · io edukar (to bring up to maturity) · ja 飼育する (to breed and raise) · ru воспи́тывать (to bring up to maturity) · nl oprichten (to set up, construct) · gl erguer (to lift spiritually) · nl steigeren (to rise on the hind legs) · fi kasvattaa (to breed and raise) · pt alçar (to lift, raise etc. physically) · es erigir (to lift, raise etc. physically) · gd tog (to breed and raise) · ru встать на дыбы́ (to rise on the hind legs) · bg отглеждам (to breed and raise) · eo baŭmi (to rise on the hind legs) · it sollevarsi (to rise on the hind legs) · km ចិញ្ចឹម (to bring up to maturity) · pl stanąć dęba (to rise on the hind legs) · it crescere (to bring up to maturity) · fi nostaa (to lift, raise etc. physically) · nl grootbrengen (to bring up to maturity) · hu felágaskodik (to rise on the hind legs) · ru сооружа́ть (to set up, construct) · ru подня́ть (to lift, raise etc. physically) · nl verheffen (to lift, raise etc. physically) · gl erguer (to lift, raise etc. physically) · de aufbäumen (to rise on the hind legs) · it innalzare (to lift spiritually) · ru поднима́ть (to lift, raise etc. physically) · ja 後ろ足立ちする (to rise on the hind legs) · ru выра́щивать (to breed and raise) · hu ágaskodik (to rise on the hind legs) · fi kohottaa (to lift, raise etc. physically) · gd tog (to lift, raise etc. physically) · it crescere (to breed and raise) · ja 育てる (to bring up to maturity) · pt erguer (to lift spiritually) · mi whakatupu (to breed and raise) · bg възвисявам (to lift spiritually) · bg отглеждам (to bring up to maturity) · vi nâng (to lift, raise etc. physically) · hu ágaskodik (to lift, raise etc. physically) · gl criar (to bring up to maturity)
pl tylny (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · mk заден (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · be ты́льны (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · sv bakre (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · grc ὀπίσθιος (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · ar خَلْفِيّ (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · nrf arriéthe (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · it posteriore (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · de hinter- (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · ko 배후의 (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · pox aχterskă (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · nn bakre (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · uk ти́льний (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · sk zadný (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · it retro (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · ru ты́льный (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · ja 後方の (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · hu hátsó (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · ru хвостово́й (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · es trasero (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · nl achter (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · pt traseiro (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · pt posterior (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · tr arka (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · lt užpakalinis (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · sh zȁdnjī (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · lt galinis (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · cs zadní (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · la postīcus (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · ja 後ろの (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · nb bakre (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · cmn 後面的 /后面的 (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · fi taka- (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · sh за̏дњӣ (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · sl zadnji (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · fr arrière (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · be за́дні (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · ko 뒤의 (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · el πισινός (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · ru за́дний (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · uk за́дній (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · pl zadni (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · hu hátulsó (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · fr postérieur (being behind, or in the hindmost part) · bg за́ден (being behind, or in the hindmost part)
From Middle English rere, from Anglo-Norman rere, ultimately from Latin retro. Compare arrear. Doublet of retro.
Meanings
The back or hindmost part; that which is behind, or last in order.
Nipt with the lagging rear of winters froſt. 1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 91:
Specifically, the part of an army or fleet which comes last, or is stationed behind the rest.
When the fierce Foe hung on our brok'n Rear 1667, John Milton, “Book II”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC, line 78:
es parte trasera (the back or hindmost part) · fi takajoukko (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · hu utó- (the posterior, butt(ocks)- only terms with directional notion) · es trasera (the back or hindmost part) · ja しんがり (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · pt posterior (the posterior, butt(ocks)- only terms with directional notion) · ssy sarra (the back or hindmost part) · hu utolsó (the posterior, butt(ocks)- only terms with directional notion) · bg тил (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · fr derrière (the posterior, butt(ocks)- only terms with directional notion) · pt retaguarda (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · fi peräpää (the back or hindmost part) · ru за́дняя часть (the back or hindmost part) · hu hátsó rész (the back or hindmost part) · pt traseira (the back or hindmost part) · ru тыл (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · es rezaga (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · bg задник (the posterior, butt(ocks)- only terms with directional notion) · fi perä (the back or hindmost part) · ru зад (the back or hindmost part) · bg задна част (the back or hindmost part) · it posteriore (the back or hindmost part) · it retroguardia (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · hy թիկունք (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · eo ariero (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · fi takaosa (the back or hindmost part) · ngc mabeke (the back or hindmost part) · mi muri (the back or hindmost part) · hu hátsó (the back or hindmost part) · it posteriore (the posterior, butt(ocks)- only terms with directional notion) · ru тыл (the back or hindmost part) · nl achterste (the back or hindmost part) · nl achterwerk (the posterior, butt(ocks)- only terms with directional notion) · hu hátsó fertály (the back or hindmost part) · de Nachhut (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · ja 後方 (the back or hindmost part) · it didietro (the posterior, butt(ocks)- only terms with directional notion) · ota آرد (the back or hindmost part) · da bagdel (the back or hindmost part) · ty tohe (the back or hindmost part) · izh perä (the back or hindmost part) · nl achtereind (the posterior, butt(ocks)- only terms with directional notion) · de Hinterseite (the back or hindmost part) · nl achterste (the posterior, butt(ocks)- only terms with directional notion) · es zaguera (the back or hindmost part) · nl achterkant (the back or hindmost part) · ps شا (the back or hindmost part) · nl achterhoede (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · hy հետեւ (the back or hindmost part) · es parte posterior (the back or hindmost part) · bni mbisa (the back or hindmost part) · fi peräpää (the posterior, butt(ocks)- only terms with directional notion) · aa sarra (the back or hindmost part) · fi selusta (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · fr derrière (the back or hindmost part) · ln mbisa (the back or hindmost part) · ja 後ろ (the back or hindmost part) · ln mabeke (the back or hindmost part) · pt traseiro (the posterior, butt(ocks)- only terms with directional notion) · cmn 後面 /后面 (the back or hindmost part) · mi hiku (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · ps څټ (the back or hindmost part) · es retaguardia (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · ru за́дняя сторона́ (the back or hindmost part) · nrf arriéthe (the back or hindmost part) · es zaga (the back or hindmost part) · es parte de atrás (the back or hindmost part) · el οπισθοφυλακή (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · ko 배후 (the back or hindmost part) · mi kumu (the posterior, butt(ocks)- only terms with directional notion) · pt zaga (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · wa dirî (the posterior, butt(ocks)- only terms with directional notion) · fr arrière-garde (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · hy ետեւ (the back or hindmost part) · hu hátvéd (the part of an army or fleet which comes last) · it retro (the posterior, butt(ocks)- only terms with directional notion)
From Middle English rere, from Anglo-Norman rere, ultimately from Latin retro. Compare arrear. Doublet of retro.
Meanings
To place in the rear; to secure the rear of.
(UK, transitive, vulgar) To sodomize (perform anal sex)
Forms
Spelling
Features
Labels
Source
rearing
Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part
lexicographic
rears
Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres
lexicographic
reared
Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part
lexicographic
reared
Tense=Past
lexicographic
Deriveds
rear-horse (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rearseat (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rearset (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · bring up the rear (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear-guard (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · unified rear triangle (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear echelon (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear-vision mirror (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rearsight (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · pain in the rear (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · the sight nearest the breech (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rearward (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear end (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rearview (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear admiral (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear back (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear-view mirror (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear-ender (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear-view (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rearhorse (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear projection (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear-ended (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear-wheel drive (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear sight - (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear-end collision (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · kingpin to rear axle (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear-fanged (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear hub (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rearguard (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear guard (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rearmost (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rearing bit (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear wheel (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear light (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rearfoot (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear-end (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rearmouse (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear gunner (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear naked choke (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · behind (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rearwards (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear exit (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear vision mirror (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear double biceps (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun)) · rear view (Terms derived from rear (adjective and noun))
From Middle English reren, from Old English hrēran (“to move, shake, agitate”), from Proto-Germanic *hrōzijaną (“to stir”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱroHs- (“to mix, stir, cook”). Cognate with Dutch roeren (“to stir, shake, whip”), German rühren (“to stir, beat, move”), Swedish röra (“to touch, move, stir”), Icelandic hræra (“to stir”).
Meanings
(transitive) To move; stir.
(of geese, transitive) To carve.
Rear that goose!
(obsolete, regional) To revive, bring to life, quicken. (only in the phrase, to rear to life)
He healeth the blind and he reareth to life the dead.
From Middle English rere, from Old English hrēr, hrēre (“not thoroughly cooked, underdone, lightly boiled”), from hrēran (“to move, shake, agitate”), from Proto-Germanic *hrōzijaną (“to stir”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱroHs- (“to mix, stir, cook”). Related to Old English hrōr (“stirring, busy, active, strong, brave”), Dutch roeren (“to stir, shake, whip”), German rühren (“to stir, beat, move”), Swedish röra (“to touch, move, stir”), Icelandic hræra (“to stir”).
Meanings
(dialectal) (of eggs) Underdone; nearly raw.
(US) (of meats) Rare.
Fred ordered a rear steak along with a glass of beer as he took a seat at an empty table 2017, Dr. Ardeshir Irani, Short Tales of the Old Wild West: