Whether you be a RANK amateur...

[nyota]

Whether you be a rank amateur or an established entrepreneur, I hope you will find something of value in these pages.

Does rank function here as an adjective or is it used in the sense of if your 'rank' is - amateur = if you are an amateur?
One of the meanings of rank as an adjective I found reads too luxuriant but I feel it doesn't fit in the context too well. Any clarifications? Thanks.

 

[5jj]

Try this.

 

[Rover_KE]

See meaning 3 below.

rank /ræŋk/adj

• showing vigorous and profuse growth: rank weeds
• highly offensive or disagreeable, esp in smell or taste
• (prenominal) complete or absolute; utter: a rank outsider
• coarse or vulgar; gross: his language was rank

(Collins)