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rack¹ Definition

rack (rak)

noun

  1. 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
  3. a lift used for automotive vehicles
  4. a frame for holding cases of type
  5. a toothed bar into which a pinion, worm gear, etc. meshes for receiving or transmitting motion, as in automotive steering systems
  6. a pair of antlers
  7. 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
  8. any great mental or physical torment, or its cause
  9. a wrenching or upheaval, as by a storm

Etymology: ME racke < LowG rack < IE *rek-, to project, bar > rock

transitive verb

  1. to arrange in or on a rack
  2. to torture on a rack
  3. 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

Etymology: prob. < MDu recken

rack¹ Idioms

off the rack

ready-made

on the rack

in a very difficult or painful situation

rack one's brains

to try very hard to remember or think of something

rack up

Slang
  1. to gain, score, or achieve to rack up a victory
  2. to be the victor over or beat decisively
  3. to knock down, as with a punch
  4. to injure, wreck, or destroy, as in an accident racked up the car

rack² Definition

rack (rak)

noun, intransitive verb

single-foot

Etymology: < ?

rack³ Definition

rack (rak)

noun

destruction; wreckage: now only in go to rack and ruin, to become ruined

Etymology: var. of wrack

rack4 Definition

rack (rak)

noun

a broken mass of clouds blown by the wind

Etymology: 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

rack5 Definition

rack (rak)

transitive verb

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

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

rack6 Definition

rack (rak)

noun

  1. the neck or forepart of the spine, especially of mutton or pork
  2. the rib section of lamb, usually including eight or nine pairs of ribs, used for a roast or for rib chops

Etymology: < ? rack

rack Synonyms

rack

n.

  1. A frame

    holder, receptacle, framework, stand, shelf, ledge, perch, bracket, whatnot, arbor, trivet, box, counter, trestle, scaffold, stretcher, hatrack, clothes rack, hat tree, clothes tree, cake rack, bottle rack, wine rack, baker's rack, pen rack, gun rack, tie rack, towel rack; see also frame 1.

  2. An engine of torture

    instrument of torture, wheel, iron heel, wooden horse, thumbscrew, iron maiden, boot, water rack, bed of Procrustes, peine forte et dure (French), Oregon boot*; see also torture.

rack Usage Examples

Object

shelving: Although the markets we service are diverse, the strongest performing year on year products are the core racking, shelving and plastics products.

Converse of object

  • steer: Engine rebuilt, gearbox rebuilt, steering rack, suspension, new gasoline tank, many other new parts fitted over past few years.
  • mount: Aluminum 30 liter top case complete with mounting rack with cover security lock.

Preposition: into

cask: After fermentation the beer is racked into casks and allowed time to condition before serving to the customer.

Adjective modifier

  • 19-inch: A stand alone Windows® based control unit, 19-inch rack compatible, with 6.5-inch color display.
  • 42u: Fit up to 168 servers in a 42U electronics rack for multiple computer applications to reduce overall system. eCommerce.
  • 19: Equipment Mounting ( Backboards ) Cabinets are supplied with a 19 rack mount frame ( 16U capacity ).
  • toothed: This track has guides or rails built into it together with a toothed rack or track.
  • rear: Price £ 52.00 We also sell the front sprung seat separately for £ 65.00 Royal Enfield rear rack.
  • dim: They also utilized an Avo 72 way dimmer rack.

Modifies a noun

tom: Now your rack toms can be mounted closer together for a much more ergonomic setup than ever imagined.

Adjective complement

mountable: Or they may be on an external box ( possibly rack mountable ) which is connected by a cable to a multiport card.

Preposition: of

lamb: Alternatively try with roast beef, rack of lamb or wild mushroom risotto.

Preposition: with

guilt: Marty was racked with guilt and later said that he felt he should have been the target.

Noun used with modifier

  • luggage: First up is the seat frame & luggage rack.
  • wire: Turn the loaf out on to a wire rack to cool.
  • steering: The steering rack was replaced, too much play in the steering!
  • pannier: Products - Brands 04/24/06 Silo The Silo rack is a well made lightweight budget pannier rack available in silver and black... .
  • hay: A hay rack should be provided, also a simple, easily cleaned water-bottle.
  • roof: In the end we totally broke the roof rack with the weight of the tree.