rase

[reyz]

verb (used with object), rased, ras·ing.

raze.

Related formsras·er, noun

raze

or rase

[reyz]

verb (used with object), razed, raz·ing.

to tear down; demolish; level to the ground: to raze a row of old buildings.

to shave or scrape off.

Origin of raze

1540–50; Middle English rasen < Middle French raser < *Vulgar Latin rāsāre to scrape, frequentative of Latin rādere to scrape

Related formsraz·er, nounun·razed, adjective

Can be confusedraze raise

Synonym study

1. See destroy.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rase

Historical Examples of rase

Ae morning, by the dawn o' day,I rase to theek the stable, O!
The Book of Humorous Verse
Various
This rase waz won after a bitter contest, by Pete Tucker's colt.
Josh Billings on Ice
Henry Wheeler Shaw
This rase waz won after a bitter contest, by Pete Tuckers colt.
The Complete Works of Josh Billings
Henry W. Shaw
This have I printed in deep consideration, No worldly matter can rase it out of mind.
Everyman and Other Old Religious Plays, with an Introduction
Anonymous
Thare is a rase course here, built in a sircile, whare tha make hosses go round and round; tis delitesum tu behold!
Josh Billings, Hiz Sayings
Henry Wheeler Shaw

British Dictionary definitions for rase

rase

verb

a variant spelling of raze

raze

rase

verb (tr)

to demolish (a town, buildings, etc) completely; level (esp in the phrase raze to the ground)

to delete; erase

archaic to graze

Derived Formsrazer or raser, noun

Word Origin for raze

C16: from Old French raser from Latin rādere to scrape

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

Word Origin and History for rase

late 14c., "remove by scraping, rub, scrape out, erase," from Old French raser "to scrape, shave," from Medieval Latin rasare, frequentative of Latin radere (past participle rasus) "to scrape, shave," perhaps from PIE *razd- (cf. Latin rastrum "rake"), possible extended form of root *red- "to scrape, scratch, gnaw" (see rodent). Related: Rased; rasing.

raze

1540s, alteration of racen "pull or knock down" (a building or town), from earlier rasen (14c.) "to scratch, slash, scrape, erase," from Old French raser "to scrape, shave" (see rase). Related: Razed; razing.