English noun: rank and file | |||
| 1. | rank and file (group) the ordinary members of an organization (such as the enlisted soldiers of an army) | ||
| Samples | The strike was supported by the union rank and file. He rose from the ranks to become a colonel. | ||
| Synonyms | rank | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | force, personnel | ||
| Member holonym | enlisted man | ||
| Domain category | armed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine | ||
| 2. | rank and file (group) people who constitute the main body of any group | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | people | ||