subs. (military).—An officer risen from the ranks: cf. GENTLEMAN-RANKER.
1878. BESANT and RICE, By Celia’s Arbour, xxxii. Every regiment has its RANKERS; every RANKER his story. I should be a snob if I were ashamed of having risen.
1886. St. James’s Gazette, 2 June, 12. The new Coast battalion, most of whose officers are RANKERS.
