rack
rack (rak)
noun
- a framework, grating, case, stand, etc. for holding or displaying various things clothes rack, dish rack, pipe rack, bomb rack
- a triangular form for arranging billiard balls at the beginning of a game of pool
- the billiard balls as set up before the break
- a lift used for automotive vehicles
- a frame for holding cases of type
- a toothed bar into which a pinion, worm gear, etc. meshes for receiving or transmitting motion, as in automotive steering systems
- a pair of antlers
- an instrument of torture having a frame on which the victim's body is bound and stretched until the limbs are pulled out of place
- any great mental or physical torment, or its cause
- a wrenching or upheaval, as by a storm
Etymology: ME racke < LowG rack < IE *rek-, to project, bar > rock
transitive verb
- to arrange in or on a rack
- to torture on a rack
- to trouble, torment, or afflict a body racked with pain
- to oppress by unfair demands, esp. by exacting exorbitant rents
- to raise (rents) to an exorbitant degree
Etymology: prob. < MDu recken
off the rack
on the rack
rack one's brains
rack up
Slang- to gain, score, or achieve to rack up a victory
- to be the victor over or beat decisively
- to knock down, as with a punch
- to injure, wreck, or destroy, as in an accident racked up the car
rack (rak)
rack (rak)
noun
Etymology: var. of wrack
rack (rak)
noun
Etymology: ME rac, prob. < Scand, as in ON reka, to drive, Norw, Swed dial. rak, a wreck: for IE base see wreak
intransitive verb
rack (rak)
transitive verb
Etymology: LME rakken < Prov arracar < raca, husks and stems of grapes, thick dregs
rack (rak)
noun
- the neck or forepart of the spine, especially of mutton or pork
- the rib section of lamb, usually including eight or nine pairs of ribs, used for a roast or for rib chopsin full rack of lamb
Etymology: < ? rack
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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