~ 1
■ noun
1》 a framework for holding or storing things.
↘a vertically barred holder for animal fodder.
2》 a cogged or toothed bar or rail engaging with a wheel or pinion, or using pegs to adjust the position of something.
3》 ( the ~ ) historical an instrument of torture consisting of a frame on which the victim was tied by the wrists and ankles and stretched.
4》 N. Amer. informal a bed.
5》 a triangular frame for positioning pool balls.
↘a single game of pool.
6》 N. Amer. a set of deer's antlers.
7》 a digital effects unit for a guitar or other instrument.
■ verb
1》 (also w~ ) cause extreme pain or distress to.
↘ archaic oppress (a tenant) by exacting excessive rent.
↘ historical torture on the ~.
2》 place in or on a ~.
3》 ( ~ something up ) accumulate or achieve something.
Phrases
~ (or w~ ) one's brains make a great mental effort.
Origin
ME: from MDu. rec , Mid. Low Ger. rek 'a rail or shelf', prob. from recken 'to stretch, reach'.
Usage
The relationship between the forms ~ and w~ is complicated. The most common noun sense of ~ ‘a framework for holding and storing things’ is always spelled ~ , never w~ . The verb senses that derive from the type of torture in which someone is stretched on a ~ can, however, be spelled either ~ or w~ : you can be ~ed with guilt or w~ed with guilt ; you ~ your brains or w~ your brains . In addition, the phrase ~ and ruin can also be spelled w~ and ruin .
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~ 2
■ noun a horse's gait between a trot and a canter.
■ verb
1》 (of a horse) move with such a gait.
2》
~ off Austral. informal go away.
Origin
C16: of unknown origin.
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~ 3
■ noun a joint of meat, especially lamb, including the front ribs.
Origin
C16: of unknown origin.
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~ 4
(also w~ )
■ noun (in phr. go to ~ and ruin ) gradually deteriorate due to neglect.
Origin
OE wræc 'vengeance, destruction', related to wreak ; cf. w~ 4 .
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~ 5
■ verb draw off (wine, beer, etc.) from the sediment in the barrel.
Origin
C15: from Provençal arracar , from raca 'stems and husks of grapes, dregs'.
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~ 6
■ noun variant spelling of w~ 3 .
■ verb archaic (of a cloud) be driven before the wind.
Origin
ME (denoting a rush or collision): prob. of Scand. origin.