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hack1 definition

hack (hak)

transitive verb

    1. to chop or cut crudely, roughly, or irregularly, as with a hatchet
    2. to shape, trim, damage, etc. with or as with rough, sweeping strokes
  1. to break up (land) as with a hoe or mattock
  2. Slang to deal with or carry out successfully
  3. Slang to annoy or irritate: usually with off
  4. Basketball to foul by striking the arm of (an opponent who has the ball) with the hand or arm
  5. Rugby to foul by kicking (an opponent) on the shins

Etymology: ME hacken < OE haccian, akin to Ger hacken < IE base *keg-, peg, hook > hook, hatchel

intransitive verb

  1. to make rough or irregular cuts
  2. to give harsh, dry coughs
  3. Basketball to hack an opponent

noun

  1. a tool for cutting or hacking, as an ax, hoe, mattock, etc.
  2. a slash, gash, or notch made by a sharp implement
  3. a hacking blow
  4. a harsh, dry cough
hack Idioms

hack around

Informal to engage in aimless activity; spend time idly

hack it

Slang to carry out or manage something successfully
hack2 definition

hack (hak)

noun

    1. a horse for hire
    2. a horse for all sorts of work
    3. a saddle horse
    4. an old, worn-out horse
  1. a person hired to do routine, often dull, writing; literary drudge
  2. ☆ a worker for a political party, usually holding office through patronage and serving devotedly and unquestioningly
  3. a carriage or coach for hire
  4. Informal
    1. a taxicab
    2. a hackman or cabdriver

Etymology: contr. < hackney

transitive verb

  1. to employ as a hack
  2. to hire out (a horse, etc.)
  3. to wear out or make stale by constant use

intransitive verb

  1. Brit. to jog along on a horse
  2. Informal to drive a taxicab
  3. Comput. to be a hacker (sense )

adjective

  1. employed as a hack a hack writer
  2. done by a hack a hack job
  3. stale; trite; hackneyed hack writing
hack3 definition

hack (hak)

noun

a grating or rack for drying cheese or fish, holding food for cattle, etc.

Etymology: orig., board on which a falcon's meat was put, var. of hatch

transitive verb

to place on a hack for drying

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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