Rear

the back of something, as distinguished from the front:
The porch is at the rear of the house.
the space or position behind something:
The bus driver asked the passengers to move to the rear.
the buttocks; rump.
the hindmost portion of an army, fleet, etc.
pertaining to or situated at the rear of something:
the rear door of a bus.
bring up the rear, to be at the end; follow behind:
The army retreated, and the fleeing civilian population brought up the rear.
to take care of and support up to maturity:
to rear a child.
to breed and raise (livestock).
to raise by building; erect.
to raise to an upright position:
to rear a ladder.
to lift or hold up; elevate; raise.
to rise on the hind legs, as a horse or other animal.
(of a person) to start up in angry excitement, hot resentment, or the like (usually followed by up).
to rise high or tower aloft:
The skyscraper rears high over the neighboring buildings.
rear its (ugly) head. head (def 85).
Contemporary Examples

Don’t Leave the Mayor’s Race Yet, Anthony Weiner Peter Beinart July 25, 2013
Senator Jon Tester: The Democrats’ Last Best Hope Andrew Romano May 7, 2011
Knocking on Heaven’s Door: True Stories of Unexplained, Uncanny Experiences at the Hour of Death Patricia Pearson August 10, 2014
‘Game of Thrones’: Sex, Starks, and Nudity by the Numbers Anna Klassen June 9, 2013
Portrait of the Consummate Con Man John Lardner May 16, 2014

Historical Examples

The Building of a Book Various
A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion William Dobein James
Coniston, Complete Winston Churchill
Her Father’s Daughter Gene Stratton-Porter
Whispering Tongues Homer Greene

noun
the back or hind part
the area or position that lies at the back: a garden at the rear of the house
the section of a military force or procession farthest from the front
the buttocks See buttock
bring up the rear, to be at the back in a procession, race, etc
in the rear, at the back
(modifier) of or in the rear: the rear legs, the rear side
verb
(transitive) to care for and educate (children) until maturity; bring up; raise
(transitive) to breed (animals) or grow (plants)
(transitive) to place or lift (a ladder, etc) upright
(transitive) to erect (a monument, building, etc); put up
(intransitive) often foll by up. (esp of horses) to lift the front legs in the air and stand nearly upright
(intransitive; often foll by up or over) (esp of tall buildings) to rise high; tower
(intransitive) to start with anger, resentment, etc
n.
v.
adj.

rear end
rear its ugly head