rack of lamb

Variant of rack

rack 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

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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