Definition of Rack

  • (n.) Same as Arrack.
  • (n.) The neck and spine of a fore quarter of veal or mutton.
  • (n.) A wreck; destruction.
  • (n.) Thin, flying, broken clouds, or any portion of floating vapor in the sky.
  • (v. i.) To fly, as vapor or broken clouds.
  • (v.) To amble fast, causing a rocking or swaying motion of the body; to pace; -- said of a horse.
  • (n.) A fast amble.
  • (v. t.) To draw off from the lees or sediment, as wine.
  • (a.) An instrument or frame used for stretching, extending, retaining, or displaying, something.
  • (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.
  • (a.) An instrument for bending a bow.
  • (a.) A grate on which bacon is laid.
  • (a.) A frame or device of various construction for holding, and preventing the waste of, hay, grain, etc., supplied to beasts.
  • (a.) A frame on which articles are deposited for keeping or arranged for display; as, a clothes rack; a bottle rack, etc.
  • (a.) 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.
  • (a.) A frame or table on which ores are separated or washed.
  • (a.) A frame fitted to a wagon for carrying hay, straw, or grain on the stalk, or other bulky loads.
  • (a.) A distaff.
  • (a.) 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.
  • (a.) That which is extorted; exaction.
  • (v. t.) 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.
  • (v. t.) To torment; to torture; to affect with extreme pain or anguish.
  • (v. t.) To stretch or strain, in a figurative sense; hence, to harass, or oppress by extortion.
  • (v. t.) To wash on a rack, as metals or ore.
  • (v. t.) To bind together, as two ropes, with cross turns of yarn, marline, etc.

Antonyms of Rack


No Antonyms Found.

Homophones of Rack