pack

pack

pack¹ [pak]

n.

[ME pakke < MDu pak < MFl pac: term carried throughout Europe via the Low Countries' wool trade (as in Fr pacque, It pacco, Ir pac, ML paccus)]

1. a large bundle of things wrapped or tied up for carrying, as on the back of a man or animal; load; burden

2. a container in which something may be stored compactly [parachute pack]

3. a number of similar or related persons or things; specif.,

a) a group or collection [a pack of lies]

b) a package of a standard number [a pack of cigarettes]

c) FILM PACK

d) a set of playing cards; deck

e) a set of hunting hounds

f) a number of wild animals living and hunting together

g) a united group; gang; set

4. ICE PACK

5.

a) treatment by wrapping a patient in blankets or sheets that are wet or dry and hot or cold

b) the blankets or sheets used

6. any of various cosmetic pastes applied to the skin and left to dry [mudpack]

7.

a) the amount of food put in cans, etc. in a season or year

b) a method of packing or canning [cold pack]

vt.

[ME pakken]

1. to make a pack, or bundle, of

2.

a) to put together compactly in a box, trunk, etc. for carrying or storing

b) to fill (a box, bag, trunk, etc.) for carrying or storing

3. to put (food) in (cans, boxes, etc.) for preservation or sale

4.

a) to fill closely; crowd; cram [a hall packed with people]

b) to crowd or press (people) together

5. to fill in or surround tightly for protection, prevention of leaks, etc. [to pack valves]

6. to press together firmly [packed earth]

7. to load (an animal) with a pack

8. to carry (goods, equipment, etc.) in or as in a pack: said of an animal

9. to treat with a PACK¹ (n. 5a)

10. to send (off), usually in haste [to pack a boy off to school ]

☆ 11. Slang to wear or carry (a gun, etc.), esp. habitually

12. Slang

a) to deliver or be able to deliver (a blow, punch, etc.) with force

b) to provide or contain [a play that packs a message]

vi.

1. to make up packs

2. to put one's clothes, belongings, etc. into luggage for a trip [an hour in which to pack]

3. to press, crowd, or throng together in a small space

4. to admit of being folded compactly, put in a container, etc. [a suit that packs well ]

☆ 5. to settle into a compact or solid mass

6. to go away in haste: sometimes with off

adj.

1.

a) used in packing

b) suitable for packing

2. formed in a pack or packs

3. used for carrying packs, loads, etc. [a pack animal]

SYN.- BUNDLE, GROUP

——————

pack it in

Slang to give up or stop trying, as in discouragement

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send packing

to dismiss (a person) abruptly

packable

adj.

pack² [pak]

vt.

[< ? PACT, but infl. by PACK¹]

to choose or arrange (a jury, court, etc.) in such a way as to get desired decisions, results, etc.

pack³ [pak]

adj.

[prob. altered < pact, ult. < L pactus: see PACT]

Scot. closely acquainted; intimate