rear
the back of a military formation or procession
How often you will meet it
Rank 2,411 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 7,115 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.003% of every word in the library.
What it means
noun
- the back of a military formation or procession infantrymen were in the rear
- the side of an object that is opposite its front also: backside, back end his room was toward the rear of the hotel
- the part of something that is furthest from the normal viewer also: back he stood at the back of the stageit was hidden in the rear of the store
- the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on also: buttocks, nates, arse, butt, backside, bum he deserves a good kick in the buttare you going to sit on your fanny and do nothing?
- the side that goes last or is not normally seen also: back he wrote the date on the back of the photograph
verb
- stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds also: rise up The horse reared in terror
- look after a child until it is an adult also: raise, bring up, nurture, parent raise a familybring up children
- rise up also: rise, lift The building rose before them
rear in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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Each burning boat in Caesar’s rear, Flames—No return through me!
John Marr and Other Poems · Herman Melville · Chapter 1
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I expect Jack will be down from the rear shortly.
The Riverman · Stewart Edward White · Chapter 1
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They pause at rear center and listen to the singing.
The White Christmas and other Merry · Walter Ben Hare · Chapter 1
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A paling in the rear offered the rogues an effectual concealment in case the angler should turn.
Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 · Robert Seymour · Chapter 1
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He himself led the centre, while the rear was commanded by the Marquis of Dorset and Lord Hastings.
A Knight of the White Cross · G. A. (George Alfred) Henty · Chapter 1