RACK

noun a fast amble.

2. rack ·noun a wreck; destruction.

3. rack ·adj a grate on which bacon is laid.

4. rack ·adj a distaff.

5. rack ·adj an instrument for bending a bow.

6. rack ·adj that which is extorted; exaction.

7. rack ·vi to fly, as vapor or broken clouds.

8. rack ·vt to wash on a rack, as metals or ore.

9. rack ·noun ·same·as arrack.

10. rack ·vt to draw off from the lees or sediment, as wine.

11. rack ·adj a frame or table on which ores are separated or washed.

12. rack ·noun the neck and spine of a fore quarter of veal or mutton.

13. rack ·noun thin, flying, broken clouds, or any portion of floating vapor in the sky.

14. rack ·vt to bind together, as two ropes, with cross turns of yarn, marline, ·etc.

15. rack ·vt to stretch or strain, in a figurative sense; hence, to harass, or oppress by extortion.

xvi. rack ·adj an instrument or frame used for stretching, extending, retaining, or displaying, something.

xvii. rack ·adj a frame fitted to a wagon for carrying hay, straw, or grain on the stalk, or other bulky loads.

xviii. rack ·vt to torment; to torture; to affect with extreme pain or anguish.

xix. rack ·v to amble fast, causing a rocking or swaying motion of the body; to pace;

— said of a horse.

xx. rack ·adj a frame on which articles are deposited for keeping or arranged for display; as, a clothes rack; a bottle rack, ·etc.

xxi. rack ·adj a frame or device of various construction for holding, and preventing the waste of, hay, grain, ·etc., supplied to beasts.

xxii. rack ·adj 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.

xxiii. rack ·adj 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.

xxiv. rack ·vt 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.

xxv. rack ·adj 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.