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rack

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The definition of a rack is something used to display or hold things.

(noun)

An example of a rack is a hall tree to hang hats and jackets.

See rack in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a framework, grating, case, stand, etc. for holding or displaying various things: clothes rack, dish rack, pipe rack, bomb rack
1. a triangular form for arranging billiard balls at the beginning of a game of pool
2. 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

Origin: 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
1. to oppress by unfair demands, esp. by exacting exorbitant rents
2. to raise (rents) to an exorbitant degree

Origin: prob. < MDu recken

noun, intransitive verb

single-foot

Origin: < ?

noun

destruction; wreckage: now only in , to become ruined

Origin: var. of wrack

noun

a broken mass of clouds blown by the wind

Origin: ME rac, prob. < Scand, as in ON reka, to drive, Norw, Swed dial. rak, a wreck: for IE base see wreak

intransitive verb

to be blown by the wind: said of clouds

transitive verb

to draw off (cider, wine, etc.) from the dregs

Origin: LME rakken < Prov arracar < raca, husks and stems of grapes, thick dregs

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 chops
in full rack of lamb

Origin: < ? rack

See rack in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A framework or stand in or on which to hold, hang, or display various articles: a trophy rack; a rack for baseball bats in the dugout; a drying rack for laundry.
b. Games A triangular frame for arranging billiard or pool balls at the start of a game.
c. A receptacle for livestock feed.
d. A frame for holding bombs in an aircraft.
Slang A bunk; a bed.
A toothed bar that meshes with a gearwheel, pinion, or other toothed machine part.
a. A state of intense anguish.
b. A cause of intense anguish.
An instrument of torture on which the victim's body was stretched.
A pair of antlers.

transitive verb racked, rack·ing, racks

To place (billiard balls, for example) in a rack.
To cause great physical or mental suffering to: Pain racked his entire body. See Synonyms at afflict.
To torture by means of the rack.

Phrasal Verbs: rack out Slang To go to sleep or get some sleep. rack up Informal To accumulate or score: rack up points.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English rakke

Origin: , probably from Middle Dutch rec, framework; see reg- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

rackˈer noun

noun

A fast, flashy, four-beat gait of a horse in which each foot touches the ground separately and at equal intervals.

intransitive verb racked, rack·ing, racks

To go or move in a rack.

Origin:

Origin: Origin unknown

noun

A thin mass of wind-driven clouds.

intransitive verb racked, rack·ing, racks

To be driven by the wind; scud: low clouds racking by.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English rak

Origin: , probably of Scandinavian origin

Origin: ; akin to Swedish rak, wreckage

noun

Variant of wrack¹.

noun & v.

Variant of wrack².

transitive verb racked, rack·ing, racks

To drain (wine or cider) from the dregs.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English rakken

Origin: , from Old Provençal arracar

Origin: , from raca, stems and husks of grapes

noun

a. A wholesale rib cut of lamb or veal between the shoulder and the loin.
b. A retail rib cut of lamb or veal, prepared for roasting or for rib chops.
The neck and upper spine of mutton, pork, or veal.

Origin:

Origin: Probably from rack¹

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