 |
Sense: 1,3
| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | rarus |
| Date: | 1600-1700 |
| Origin: | rear 'lightly cooked' (15-19 centuries), from Old English hrer |
1 not seen or found very often, or not happening very often [≠ common; ↪ unusual]: 
This species of plant is becoming increasingly rare.
This species of plant is becoming increasingly rare. it is rare (for somebody/something) to do something It is rare to find such an interesting group of people. It is very rare for her to miss a day at school.
It is rare to find such an interesting group of people.It is very rare for her to miss a day at school.2DF meat that is rare has only been cooked for a short time and is still red [↪ underdone, well-done]: I like my steak rare.
I like my steak rare.3 [only before noun] British English old-fashioned very good or surprising :
WORD FOCUS: cook WORD FOCUS: cook
fry (in oil)
boil (in hot water)
bake (bread and cakes in an oven)
roast (meat or vegetables in an oven)
microwave (using a microwave oven)
grill/broil American English (using a grill)
steam, toast, simmer, poach, barbecue, stir-fry, saute, chargrill
raw (not cooked)
rare (used about meat that has been cooked for a short time)
well-done (used about meat that has been cooked for a long time)cook
➔ See also cook
WORD FOCUS: cook fry (in oil)
boil (in hot water)
bake (bread and cakes in an oven)
roast (meat or vegetables in an oven)
microwave (using a microwave oven)
grill/broil American English (using a grill)
steam, toast, simmer, poach, barbecue, stir-fry, saute, chargrill
raw (not cooked)
rare (used about meat that has been cooked for a short time)
well-done (used about meat that has been cooked for a long time)cook
➔ See also cook
