rack Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun framework for holding objects
  2. noun rib section of a forequarter of veal or pork or especially lamb or mutton
  3. noun the destruction or collapse of something
    wrack.
    • wrack and ruin
  4. noun an instrument of torture that stretches or disjoints or mutilates victims
    wheel.
  5. noun a support for displaying various articles
    stand.
    • the newspapers were arranged on a rack
  6. noun a form of torture in which pain is inflicted by stretching the body
  7. noun a rapid gait of a horse in which each foot strikes the ground separately
    single-foot.
  8. verb go at a rack
    single-foot.
    • the horses single-footed
  9. verb stretch to the limits
    • rack one's brains
  10. verb put on a rack and pinion
    • rack a camera
  11. verb obtain by coercion or intimidation
    extort; gouge; squeeze; wring.
    • They extorted money from the executive by threatening to reveal his past to the company boss
    • They squeezed money from the owner of the business by threatening him
  12. verb run before a gale
    scud.
  13. verb fly in high wind
  14. verb draw off from the lees
    • rack wine
  15. verb torment emotionally or mentally
    torment; excruciate; torture.
  16. verb work on a rack
    • rack leather
  17. verb seize together, as of parallel ropes of a tackle in order to prevent running through the block
  18. verb torture on the rack

WordNet

Rack noun
Definitions
  1. Same as Arrack.
Rack noun
Etymology
AS. hracca neck, hinder part of the head; cf. AS. hraca throat, G. rachen throat, E. retch.
Definitions
  1. The neck and spine of a fore quarter of veal or mutton.
Rack noun
Etymology
See Wreck.
Definitions
  1. A wreck; destruction. Obs., except in a few phrases.
Rack noun
Etymology
Prob. fr. Icel. rek drift, motion, and akin to reka to drive, and E. wrack, wreck. .
Definitions
  1. Thin, flying, broken clouds, or any portion of floating vapor in the sky. Shak.
    The winds in the upper region, which move the clouds above, which we call the rack, . . . pass without noise. Bacon.
    And the night rack came rolling up. C. Kingsley.
Rack intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To fly, as vapor or broken clouds.
Rack intransitive verb
Etymology
See Rack that which stretches, or Rock, v.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Racked ; present participle & verbal noun Racking
Definitions
  1. To amble fast, causing a rocking or swaying motion of the body; to pace; -- said of a horse. Fuller.
Rack noun
Definitions
  1. A fast amble.
Rack transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. OF. vin raqué squeezed from the dregs of the grapes.
Definitions
  1. To draw off from the lees or sediment, as wine.
    It is in common practice to draw wine or beer from the lees (which we call racking), whereby it will clarify much the sooner. Bacon.
Rack noun
Etymology
Probably fr. D.rek, rekbank, a rack, rekken to stretch; akin to G. reck, reckbank, a rack, recken to stretch, Dan. række, Sw. räcka, Icel. rekja to spread out, Goth. refrakjan to stretch out; cf. L. porrigere, Gr. . Cf. Right, a., Ratch.
Definitions
  1. An instrument or frame used for stretching, extending, retaining, or displaying, something. Specifically: (a) An engine of torture, consisting of a large frame, upon which the body was gradually stretched until, sometimes, the joints were dislocated; -- formerly used judicially for extorting confessions from criminals or suspected persons.
    During the troubles of the fifteenth century, a rack was introduced into the Tower, and was occasionally used under the plea of political necessity. Macaulay.
    (b) An instrument for bending a bow. (c) A grate on which bacon is laid. (d) A frame or device of various construction for holding, and preventing the waste of, hay, grain, etc., supplied to beasts. (e) A frame on which articles are deposited for keeping or arranged for display; as, a clothes rack; a bottle rack, etc. (f) (Naut.) A piece or frame of wood, having several sheaves, through which the running rigging passes; -- called also rack block. Also, a frame to hold shot. (g) (Mining) A frame or table on which ores are separated or washed. (h) A frame fitted to a wagon for carrying hay, straw, or grain on the stalk, or other bulky loads. (i) A distaff.
  2. (Mech.) A bar with teeth on its face, or edge, to work with those of a wheel, pinion, or worm, which is to drive it or be driven by it.
  3. That which is extorted; exaction. Obs. Sir E. Sandys.
    A fit of the stone puts a kingto the rack, and makes him as miserable as it does the meanest subject. Sir W. Temple.
Rack transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To extend by the application of force; to stretch or strain; specifically, to stretch on the rack or wheel; to torture by an engine which strains the limbs and pulls the joints.
    He was racked and miserably tormented. Pope.
  2. To torment; to torture; to affect with extreme pain or anguish.
    Vaunting aloud but racked with deep despair. Milton.
  3. To stretch or strain, in a figurative sense; hence, to harass, or oppress by extortion.
    The landlords there shamefully rack their tenants. Spenser.
    They [landlords] rack a Scripture simile beyond the true intent thereof. Fuller.
    Try what my credit can in Venice do; That shall be racked even to the uttermost. Shak.
  4. (Mining) To wash on a rack, as metals or ore.
  5. (Naut.) To bind together, as two ropes, with cross turns of yarn, marline, etc. Syn. -- To torture; torment; rend; tear.

Webster 1913