What is "rank modus"

Rank \Rank\ (r[a^][ng]k), a. [Compar. Ranker (r[a^][ng]k"[~e]r); superl. Rankest.] [AS. ranc strong, proud; cf. D. rank slender, Dan. rank upright, erect, Prov. G. rank slender, Icel. rakkr slender, bold. The meaning seems to have been influenced by L. rancidus, E. rancid.]

1. Luxuriant in growth; of vigorous growth; exuberant; grown to immoderate height; as, rank grass; rank weeds.

   And, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
   --Gen. xli. 5.

2. Raised to a high degree; violent; extreme; gross; utter; as, rank heresy. ``Rank nonsense.''
   --Hare. ``I do forgive thy rankest fault.''
   --Shak.

3. Causing vigorous growth; producing luxuriantly; very rich and fertile; as, rank land.
   --Mortimer.

4. Strong-scented; rancid; musty; as, oil of a rank smell; rank-smelling rue.
   --Spenser.

5. Strong to the taste. ``Divers sea fowls taste rank of the fish on which they feed.''
   --Boyle.

6. Inflamed with venereal appetite. [Obs.]
   --Shak.

   Rank modus (Law), an excessive and unreasonable modus. See Modus, 3.

   To set (the iron of a plane, etc.) rank, to set so as to take off a thick shaving.
   --Moxon.