rack

rack

rack¹ [rak]

n.

[ME racke < LowG rack < IE * rek-, to project, bar > ROCK²]

1. a framework, grating, case, stand, etc. for holding or displaying various things [clothes rack, dish rack, pipe rack, bomb rack]: often used in combination: see HATRACK, HAYRACK, etc.

2.

a) a triangular form for arranging billiard balls at the beginning of a game of pool

b) 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: see GEAR

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

vt.

[prob. < MDu recken]

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]

4.

a) to oppress by unfair demands, esp. by exacting exorbitant rents

b) to raise (rents) to an exorbitant degree

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off the rack

ready-made: said of clothing

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on the rack

in a very difficult or painful situation

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rack one's brains

to try very hard to remember or think of something

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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 [rak]

n., vi.

[< ?]

SINGLE-FOOT

rack³ [rak]

n.

[var. of WRACK¹]

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

rack⁴ [rak]

n.

[ME rac, prob. < Scand, as in ON reka, to drive, Norw, Swed dial. rak, a wreck: for IE base see WREAK]

a broken mass of clouds blown by the wind

vi.

to be blown by the wind: said of clouds

rack⁵ [rak]

vt.

[LME rakken < Prov arracar < raca, husks and stems of grapes, thick dregs]

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

rack⁶ [rak]

n.

[< ? RACK¹]

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