Rear /(rēr)/

Rear

adv.

The back or hindmost part; that which is behind, or last in order; -- opposed to front.
Nipped with the lagging rear of winter's frost.
— Milton.
Specifically, the part of an army or fleet which comes last, or is stationed behind the rest.
When the fierce foe hung on our broken rear.
— Milton.

Being behind, or in the hindmost part; hindmost; as, the rear rank of a company.

Rear admiral: an officer in the navy, next in rank below a vice admiral and above a commodore. See Admiral.
Rear front: the rear rank of a body of troops when faced about and standing in that position.
Rear guard: the division of an army that marches in the rear of the main body to protect it; -- used also figuratively.
Rear line: the line in the rear of an army.
Rear rank: the rank or line of a body of troops which is in the rear, or last in order.
Rear sight: the sight nearest the breech.
To bring up the rear: to come last or behind.

v. t.

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Reared; p. pr. & vb. n. Rearing

To raise; to lift up; to cause to rise, become erect, etc.; to elevate; as, to rear a monolith.
In adoration at his feet I fell Submiss; he reared me.
— Milton.

It reareth our hearts from vain thoughts.
— Barrow.

Mine [shall be] the first hand to rear her banner.
— Ld. Lytton.
To erect by building; to set up; to construct; as, to rear defenses or houses; to rear one government on the ruins of another.
One reared a font of stone.
— Tennyson.
To lift and take up. [Obs. or R.]
And having her from Trompart lightly reared, Upon his courser set the lovely load.
— Spenser.
To bring up to maturity, as young; to educate; to instruct; to foster; as, to rear offspring.
He wants a father to protect his youth, And rear him up to virtue.
— Southern.
To breed and raise; as, to rear cattle.
To rouse; to stir up. [Obs.]
And seeks the tusky boar to rear.
— Dryden.

v. i.

Rearing bit: a bit designed to prevent a horse from lifting his head when rearing.