adjective

rare

rare, uncommon, (of meat) lightly cooked

It's rare to see that kind of bird here.

It's rare to see that kind of bird here.

This is a very rare stamp.

This is a very rare stamp.

I'd like my steak rare, please.

I'd like my steak rare, please.

((rare)) ((+ noun)) uncommon. This is a very rare stamp.

((It is rare)) ((to-inf)) it is uncommon to do something. It's rare to see that kind of bird here.

((steak, etc.)) ((rare)) (of meat) lightly cooked. I'd like my steak rare, please.

Synonyms: uncommon, scarce; Antonyms: common

From Latin 'rarus' meaning 'thin, spaced out, infrequent'.

A 'rare' steak has 'rarely' seen any heat. This connects both meanings.

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