1. n.1 (prec. by the) the main body of competitors not likely to overtake the leaders.
2 an undistinguished crowd of persons or things.
3 Rugby Football a loose scrum with the ball on the ground.
4 Austral. Rules a group of three mobile players.
Etymology: ME, stack of fuel, heap, rick: app. Scand., Norw. ruka in the same senses 2. v. & n.
--v.tr. & intr. (often foll. by up) make or become creased or wrinkled.
--n. a crease or wrinkle.
Etymology: ON hrukka