rase
Extremely rare / Archaic / Specialized (historical or technical)Historical, Literary, Technical (e.g., surveying, construction)
Definition
Meaning
To scratch, scrape, erase, or level to the ground.
To obliterate or remove completely, as if by scraping away; historically used for tearing down buildings or eradicating marks. Now largely archaic or specialized.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Effectively a variant spelling of 'raze'. The distinction is minimal; 'rase' is the older form, now almost entirely superseded by 'raze' in modern usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Neither form is common. 'Raze' is the dominant modern spelling in both varieties. 'Rase' may appear slightly more often in older UK historical texts, but this is not a reliable distinction.
Connotations
Both carry the same connotations of forceful, complete destruction or removal. 'Rase' may carry a slightly more archaic or poetic feel.
Frequency
'Rase' is exceedingly rare. 'Raze' itself is a low-frequency word, primarily used in contexts like 'raze to the ground'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + rase + [Object] (to the ground)[Object] + be + rased + (by [Subject])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “rase to the ground (to completely destroy a building or structure)”
- “rase from the record (to officially remove or expunge)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used. 'Demolish' or 'clear' would be used for land development.
Academic
May appear in historical texts discussing the destruction of cities, fortifications, or records.
Everyday
Not used. 'Knock down', 'bulldoze', or 'destroy' are common equivalents.
Technical
Potentially in historical surveying or archaeology notes describing the removal of surface features.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The decree was to rase the fortress after the siege.
- He carefully rased the old pencil marks from the parchment.
American English
- The city council voted to rase the condemned block.
- The old trail had been rased by decades of erosion.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The historical records show the village was rased during the conflict.
- "Rase" is an older spelling of the word we now write as "raze".
- The conquering army's policy was to rase any settlement that resisted, leaving no stone upon another.
- The scribe's task was to rase the erroneous line from the vellum without damaging it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an old-fashioned RAZor blade SCRAPing (S for scrape, RASE) something away completely.
Conceptual Metaphor
REMOVAL IS ERASURE / DESTRUCTION IS LEVELING.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'race'. The intended meaning is always destructive/removal, not speed or competition.
- The modern, active word is 'raze' (разрушать до основания, сносить). 'Rase' is simply an old spelling.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'rase' in modern writing (use 'raze').
- Confusing with 'raise' (to lift up).
- Misspelling as 'raze' (which is actually correct).
Practice
Quiz
In modern English, which spelling should you use for the verb meaning 'to level to the ground'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is an archaic variant spelling of 'raze'. It is not used in contemporary writing.
There is no difference in meaning. 'Raze' is the standard modern spelling. 'Rase' is the older form.
Only if you are directly quoting an old source that uses that spelling, or if you are deliberately aiming for an archaic style. Otherwise, always use 'raze'.
Yes, etymologically. Both come from Latin 'radere' meaning 'to scrape'. 'Erase' means to scrape out, 'rase/raze' means to scrape off or level.