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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

rack Idioms

off the rack

ready-made
said of clothing

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
    in 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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