Definition of rack

• n. - Same as Arrack.
• n. - The neck and spine of a fore quarter of veal or mutton.
• n. - A wreck; destruction.
• n. - Thin, flying, broken clouds, or any portion of floating vapor in the sky.
• v. i. - To fly, as vapor or broken clouds.
• v. - To amble fast, causing a rocking or swaying motion of the body; to pace; -- said of a horse.
• n. - A fast amble.
• v. t. - To draw off from the lees or sediment, as wine.
• a. - An instrument or frame used for stretching, extending, retaining, or displaying, something.
• 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.
• a. - An instrument for bending a bow.
• a. - A grate on which bacon is laid.
• 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.
• 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.
• a. - A frame or table on which ores are separated or washed.
• a. - A frame fitted to a wagon for carrying hay, straw, or grain on the stalk, or other bulky loads.
• a. - A distaff.
• 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.
• a. - That which is extorted; exaction.
• 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.
• v. t. - To torment; to torture; to affect with extreme pain or anguish.
• v. t. - To stretch or strain, in a figurative sense; hence, to harass, or oppress by extortion.
• v. t. - To wash on a rack, as metals or ore.
• v. t. - To bind together, as two ropes, with cross turns of yarn, marline, etc.