Rear Meaning
Rear Definition & Usage
To raise or lift something, particularly the back or hind part of the body or an animal's hind legs.
Examples
- "The horse reared up on its hind legs, startling the crowd."
- "The car suddenly reared up over the curb and hit the lamp post."
- "She had to rear the heavy box onto the shelf because it was too large to lift normally."
- "The elephant reared back, trumpeting loudly in the distance."
- "The kangaroo reared on its hind legs to defend itself."
The back or hind part of something, especially a vehicle or building.
Examples
- "The rear of the house has a beautiful garden."
- "She took the rear of the group as they walked down the street."
- "The rear of the bus is reserved for elderly passengers."
- "They found the key at the rear of the car under the bumper."
- "The rear of the building is being renovated next month."
Located at or near the back of something.
Examples
- "He sat in the rear section of the theater."
- "The rear door of the truck was left open by mistake."
- "The rear lights of the car flickered as the driver turned the corner."
- "The rear seat was more comfortable than I had expected."
- "She moved to the rear of the line after a few people cut ahead."
Cultural Context
The word 'rear' has various meanings, depending on its context. In animal handling, especially with horses, rearing is a dramatic and often dangerous movement. In everyday language, 'rear' can also refer to the back of something, which is common in both informal and formal contexts, from vehicles to buildings to groups of people. The sense of rearing up is often associated with power or surprise.
The Great Rearing Contest
Story
The Great Rearing Contest
In the small town of Blackstone, every year the annual festival would host a spectacular event: The Great Rearing Contest. Farmers from around the region would bring their finest horses to compete, each hoping to showcase their steed’s strength and skill. As the crowd gathered near the arena, the air was thick with excitement, and the sound of hooves on dirt echoed through the valley. Among the competitors was young Thomas, whose horse, Midnight, was known for her daring rears. Midnight had a habit of suddenly rearing on her hind legs, much to the amazement of spectators. This year, however, Thomas had trained her to do so with greater precision, hoping to win the coveted first-place ribbon. As the competition began, Midnight was the first to enter the ring. Thomas mounted her, and with a swift signal, Midnight’s hooves lifted from the ground. The crowd gasped in awe as the horse reared up, her front legs stretched high into the air. It was an impressive sight, but the other competitors were ready. Next came Jane, with her horse Thunder. Thunder was older, but he had an incredible ability to rear and hold the position longer than any of the younger horses. As Thunder lifted into the air, he stayed upright, as if frozen in time, forcing the crowd to cheer even louder. In the end, it wasn’t just about the rearing. The judges decided that precision, control, and style were more important than the sheer height of the rears. Midnight took second place, and Thunder, with his impeccable timing, won the contest. Thomas, though disappointed, was proud of Midnight. He had taught her to rear gracefully, something that would serve her well in the future. As he led her to the rear of the arena, he patted her gently. 'You did great,' he whispered. Later that day, the festival moved to a picnic area at the rear of the town hall, where everyone enjoyed the rest of the celebrations. Midnight’s rearing had certainly made an impact, but it was the community's camaraderie and shared joy that remained the most memorable part of the day. In the end, the rear of the competition was not where the real victory lay, but in the heart of the town, united in the spirit of celebration.
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