rand

[ rand ]

/ rænd /

noun

(in shoemaking) a strip of leather set in a shoe at the heel before the lifts are attached.

British Dialect.

a strip or long slice.
a border or margin.

verb (used with object)

to provide (footwear) with rands.

QUIZZES

THIS WEEK’S WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ IS POSITIVELY FELICIFIC

Do you study our Words of the Day with great assiduity? See how many you remember from March 3 to April 5!

Question 1 of 7

transliterate

to remove or destroy all traces of.

to change (letters, words, etc.), into corresponding characters of another alphabet or language.

to explain in terms that can be more easily understood.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of rand

before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch, German rand border, margin

Words nearby rand

rancho palos verdes, rancid, rancor, rancorous, rancour, rand, rand, ayn, rand, the, randall, randallstown, randan

Definition for rand (2 of 5)

rand²

[ rand ]

/ rænd /

noun

a coin and monetary unit of the Republic of South Africa, equal to 100 cents. Abbreviation: R.

Origin of rand

1960–65; < Afrikaans, after The Rand (Witwatersrand), a major gold mining area

Definition for rand (3 of 5)

Rand

[ rand ]

/ rænd /

noun

Ayn

[ahyn] /aɪn/,1905–82, U.S. novelist and essayist, born in Russia.

Definition for rand (4 of 5)

Witwatersrand

[ wit-waw-terz-rand, -wot-erz- ]

/ ˈwɪtˌwɔ tərzˌrænd, -ˌwɒt ərz- /

noun

a rocky ridge in S Africa, in the Republic of South Africa, near Johannesburg.

Also called The Rand.

Definition for rand (5 of 5)

Rand, The

[ rand ]

/ rænd /

noun

Witwatersrand.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for rand

Gawker sneered that Uber is "Ayn Rand's favorite car service."
In Defense of Uber’s Awful Sydney Surge Pricing|Olivia Nuzzi|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sadly, Rand does not bring much in the way of diversity to the GOP ticket.
Why 2016’s Hopefuls Are Hopeless|P. J. O’Rourke|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sen. Rand Paul, however, resisted gushing--in keeping with his contrarian brand.
Kissy-Face The Nation: Washington’s Power Elite Smooch Bob Schieffer|Lloyd Grove|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An HIV scare, Rand Paul talking points, and a (maybe) proposition.
My Bizarre Night With James Deen, Libertarian Porn Star|Emily Shire|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Republicans need to rebuild their brand, which Rand Paul said quite graphically “sucks.”
Can Obama and a Republican Senate Find Common Ground?|Eleanor Clift|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rand's heart ached with passionate longing, passionate admiration.
Lewis Rand|Mary Johnston
When he was satisfied that he would hear nothing having any bearing on the death of Lane Fleming, Rand went back to his work.
Murder in the Gunroom|Henry Beam Piper
Industries are waking up, and on the Rand the roar of the stamps has replaced that of the cannon.
The War in South Africa|Arthur Conan Doyle
Rand was quick at divining men, and now he thought, "This man would make a tireless enemy."
Lewis Rand|Mary Johnston
Rand bent over his makeshift map again, marking in the names of the cities where he intended to refuel while in flight.
Helen in the Editor's Chair|Ruthe S. Wheeler

British Dictionary definitions for rand (1 of 4)

rand¹

/ (rænd, rɒnt) /

noun

the standard monetary unit of the Republic of South Africa, divided into 100 cents

Word Origin for rand

C20: from Afrikaans, shortened from Witwatersrand, referring to the gold-mining there; related to rand ²

British Dictionary definitions for rand (2 of 4)

rand²

/ (rænd) /

noun

shoemaking a leather strip put in the heel of a shoe before the lifts are put on

dialect

a strip or margin; border
a strip of cloth; selvage

Word Origin for rand

Old English; related to Old High German rant border, rim of a shield, Old Norse rönd shield, rim

British Dictionary definitions for rand (3 of 4)

Rand

/ (rænd) /

noun

the Rand short for Witwatersrand

British Dictionary definitions for rand (4 of 4)

Witwatersrand

/ (wɪtˈwɔːtəzˌrænd, Afrikaans vətˈvɑːtərsˈrant) /

noun

a rocky ridge in NE South Africa: contains the richest gold deposits in the world, also coal and manganese; chief industrial centre is Johannesburg. Height: 1500–1800 m (5000–6000 ft)Also called: the Rand, the Reef

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012