- (a.) A frame or table on which ores are separated or washed.
- (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.
- (n.) The neck and spine of a fore quarter of veal or mutton.
- (v.t.) To torment; to torture; to affect with extreme pain or anguish.
- (a.) That which is extorted; exaction.
- (v.) To amble fast, causing a rocking or swaying motion of the body; to pace; -- said of a horse.
- (v.t.) To wash on a rack, as metals or ore.
- (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.
- (n.) Thin, flying, broken clouds or any portion of floating vapor in the sky.
- (a.) An instrument or frame used for stretching, extending, retaining or displaying, something.
- (v.t.) To stretch or strain, in a figurative sense; hence, to harass or oppress by extortion.
- (a.) A grate on which bacon is laid.
- (n.) A fast amble.
- (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.
- (v.i.) To fly, as vapor or broken clouds.
- (a.) A distaff.
- (n.) A wreck; destruction.
- (a.) An instrument for bending a bow.
- (n.) Same as Arrack.
- (v.t.) To bind together, as two ropes, with cross turns of yarn, marline, etc.
- (a.) A frame fitted to a wagon for carrying hay, straw or grain on the stalk or other bulky loads.
- (v.t.) To draw off from the lees or sediment, as wine.
- (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.
- (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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). rack. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/rack/definitions/2052228 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "rack" http://smartdefine.org/rack/definitions/2052228 (accessed September 20, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, rack, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/rack/definitions/2052228>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "rack" 27 May 2011. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/rack/definitions/2052228> |