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.
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:
2
Said of people towards animals To breed and raise.
The family has been rearing cattle for 200 years.
3
To rise up on the hind legs.
The horse was shocked, and thus reared.
4
Usually, With "up" To get angry.
5
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:
6
Literary To raise physically or metaphorically; to lift up; to cause to rise, to elevate.
Poverty reared its ugly head. (appeared, started, began to have an effect)
The monster slowly reared its head.
2 more examples
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:
Mine [shall be] the first hand to rear her banner.1835, Lord Lytton, Rienzi, the Last of the Roman Tribunes:
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:
Then why does Cuddy leave his cot so rear!1714, John Gay, The Shepherd's Week:
rear
noun
Etymology From Middle English rere, from Anglo-Norman rere, ultimately from Latin retro. Compare arrear. Doublet of retro.
1
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:
2
Government, Military, Politics, War 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 Rear1667, 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:
Etymology 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”).
Fred ordered a rear steak along with a glass of beer as he took a seat at an empty table2017, Dr. Ardeshir Irani, Short Tales of the Old Wild West:
Derived terms
rear-boiled, rear-roasted
rear
verb
Etymology 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”).
1
To move; stir.
2
Of geese To carve.
Rear that goose!
3
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.