Widespread and rank (7)
I believe the answer is:
general
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'widespread' is the first definition.
('general' can be similar in meaning to 'widespread')
'rank' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for general that I've seen before include "Usual; overall" , "Regular - officer" , "Military commander" , "Of wide application" , "Not specialised, rank" .)