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arrange

[uh-reynj]
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verb (used with object), ar·ranged, ar·rang·ing.
  1. to place in proper, desired, or convenient order; adjust properly: to arrange books on a shelf.
  2. to come to an agreement or understanding regarding: The two sides arranged the sale of the property.
  3. to prepare or plan: to arrange the details of a meeting.
  4. Music. to adapt (a composition) for a particular style of performance by voices or instruments.
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verb (used without object), ar·ranged, ar·rang·ing.
  1. to make plans or preparations: They arranged for a conference on Wednesday.
  2. to make a settlement; come to an agreement: to arrange with the coal company for regular deliveries.
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Origin of arrange

1325–75; Middle English arayngen < Middle French arangier, equivalent to a- a-5 + rangier to range
Related formsar·range·a·ble, adjectivear·rang·er, nouno·ver·ar·range, verb, o·ver·ar·ranged, o·ver·ar·rang·ing.re·ar·range, verb, re·ar·ranged, re·ar·rang·ing.re·ar·range·a·ble, adjectiveun·ar·ranged, adjectivewell-ar·ranged, adjective

Synonyms for arrange

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1. array; group, sort, dispose; classify.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for re-arrange

reevaluate, reexamine, amend, rethink, review, revise, reassess, restore, renovate, resolve, standardize, repair, reorganize, revolutionize, transform, rehabilitate, rebuild, improve, remake, shift

Examples from the Web for re-arrange

Contemporary Examples of re-arrange

Historical Examples of re-arrange

  • Re-arrange this picture so as to get a rustic group out of it.

  • Who will mate them, and re-arrange their inharmonious combinings?

    Dawn

    Mrs. Harriet A. Adams

  • Anne entered, and sat down to recover her breath, and re-arrange her thoughts.

    Merkland

    Mrs. Oliphant

  • Read that letter carefully while I re-arrange my hair, and then I will tell you what you are to do.

    The White Rose of Memphis

    William C. Falkner

  • Our mails are none too prompt, and so I have been unable to re-arrange my plans.

British Dictionary definitions for re-arrange

arrange

verb
  1. (tr) to put into a proper, systematic, or decorative order
  2. (tr; may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to arrive at an agreement or understanding about; settle
  3. (when intr, often foll by for; when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive ) to make plans or preparations in advance (for something)we arranged for her to be met
  4. (tr) to adapt (a musical composition) for performance in a different way, esp on different instruments
  5. (tr) to adapt (a play, etc) for broadcasting
  6. (intr often foll by with) to come to an agreement
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Derived Formsarrangeable, adjectivearranger, noun

Word Origin for arrange

C14: from Old French arangier, from a- ² + rangier to put in a row, range
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 re-arrange

v.

also rearrange, 1798, from re- "back, again" + arrange. Related: Rearranged; rearranging; rearrangement.

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arrange

v.

late 14c., "draw up a line of battle," from Old French arengier (12c.), from a- "to" (see ad-) + rangier "set in a row" (Modern French ranger), from rang "rank," from Frankish *hring (see rank (n.)).

A rare word until the meaning generalized to "to place things in order" c.1780-1800. Musical sense of "adapt for other instruments or voices" is from 1808. Related: Arranged; arranging. Arranged marriage attested from 1854.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper