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Glite Dictionary
to range in

to range in

1 7.8
To aim at a target with tools like radar or GPS
  • phrasal verb
  • /reɪndʒ ɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : dirigir hacia

Synonyms

to aim
vsto range in
256 1.0

To point a weapon or object at a target

is about guiding toward a point using navigational aids rather than general pointing
to direct
vsto range in
245 1.8

To point something like light or attention at a target

is about guiding toward a point using targeting or navigation systems
to zero in
vsto range in
63 4.7

To focus closely on a specific target

is about guiding toward a point with guidance systems but less tightly focused
to sight
vsto range in
19 7.9

To look through a gun's device to aim at something

is about guiding toward a point with navigational aids rather than only visual alignment
to home in
vsto range in
8 4.9

Move accurately toward a target or focus closely on a problem

is about guiding toward a point with guidance systems rather than actual movement

How Accurate

to zero in
63 4.7
to range in
  • Specialized
1 7.8
to point
537 2.9

Surface Forms

range in infinitive
ranged in past
ranged in past participle
ranging in present participle
ranges in third person singular

Morphology

range + in

The verb 'range' (to project or reach across a distance) combined with the preposition 'in' (inside) does not straightforwardly yield the specialized sense 'to direct or aim at a point' for an average B1 learner. The given meaning is technical/military jargon and not a predictable compositional extension of the constituents, so learners who know the parts but not the phrase would likely not infer this sense.

Etymology

The phrasal verb range in comes from old shooting and artillery work where crews changed the range (the distance) and aimed again until their shot landed in the target. So, to range in today means 'to direct or aim at' a point or target precisely.