rear

¹rear

verb \ˈrir, vt4 & vi2 are also ˈrer\

Definition of REAR

transitive verb

1

: to erect by building : construct

2

: to raise upright

3

a (1) : to breed and raise (an animal) for use or market (2) : to bring to maturity or self-sufficiency usually through nurturing care <reared five children> <birds rearing their young> b : to cause (as plants) to grow

4

: to cause (a horse) to rise up on the hind legs

intransitive verb

1

: to rise high

2

of a horse : to rise up on the hind legs

— rear·er noun

Examples of REAR

1. <watched a documentary on how wolves rear their young>
2. <it took all the men in the village to rear the frame for the barn, pulling hard at the ropes until all the sides were standing>

Origin of REAR

Middle English reren, from Old English rǣran; akin to Old Norse reisa to raise, Old English rīsan to rise

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to REAR

Synonyms: breed, foster, nourish, nurse, raise, bring up

Antonyms: demount, disassemble, dismantle, dismember, knock down, strike, take down, tear down

Related Words: father, mother; attend, care (for), cradle, cultivate, mind, minister (to), nurture, watch; discipline, educate, instruct, mentor, school, teach, train, tutor; edify, enlighten, indoctrinate; feed, provide (for), supply; advance, forward, further, promote; prepare; direct, guide, lead, shepherd, show

Near Antonyms: abuse, ill-treat, ill-use, maltreat, mishandle, mistreat; ignore, neglect; harm, hurt, injure

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with REAR

air, Ayr, bare, bear, Blair, blare, care, chair, chare, dare, Dare, e'er, ere, err, eyre, fair, fare, flair, flare, glair, glare, hair, hare, Herr, heir, lair, mare, ne'er, pair, pare, pear, prayer, rare, scare, share, snare, spare, square, stair, stare, swear, tare, tear, their, there, vair, ware, wear, weir, where, yare