n.
Function: transitive verb
Date: 15th century
1 : to torture on the rack
2 : to cause to suffer torture, pain, anguish, or ruin < rack ed with jealousy> <a company rack ed by infighting>
3 a : to stretch or strain violently < rack ed his brains> b : to raise (rents) oppressively c : to harass or oppress with high rents or extortions
4 : to work or treat (material) on a rack
5 : to work by a rack and pinion or worm so as to extend or contract < rack a camera>
6 : to seize (as parallel ropes of a tackle) together
7 : to place (as pool balls) in a rack
intransitive verb : to become forced out of shape or out of plumb
synonyms see AFFLICT
– rack · er noun
– rack · ing · ly \ ' ra-ki ŋ -l ē \ adverb