rack

/ræk/
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rack

The newspapers were arranged on a rack.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A framework or structure for holding, storing, or displaying items: A "rack" is a piece of equipment, often with shelves, bars, or hooks, designed to hold specific objects.
    • An instrument of torture: Historically, a "rack" was a device used to torture people by stretching their bodies.
    • A state of intense suffering or strain: "Rack" can refer to a condition of great physical or mental anguish.
    • A rapid, smooth gait of a horse: In equestrian terms, the "rack" is a specific, fast, four-beat lateral gait.
    • A rib section of meat: In butchery, "rack" refers to a cut of meat, especially from lamb or pork, containing part of the rib bones.

  2. Verb:

    • To cause great physical or mental pain; to torment: To "rack" someone is to inflict severe suffering or distress upon them.
    • To place on or in a rack: To "rack" something means to put it onto a supporting framework.
    • To strain or stretch violently: To "rack" can mean to shake or convulse, as if being pulled apart.
    • To draw off liquid from sediment: To "rack" a liquid, like wine, is to transfer it from one container to another, leaving the lees (sediment) behind.
    • To move at a racking gait: When a horse "racks," it moves with its distinctive fast, lateral gait.
    • To obtain by force or extortion: To "rack" something from someone is to get it through coercion or intimidation.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • She placed the magazines neatly on the magazine rack.
    • The prisoner was stretched on the rack.
    • His mind was in a rack of indecision.
    • The horse has an excellent rack.
    • We ordered a rack of lamb for dinner.

  • Verb:

    • Guilt racked his conscience for years.
    • Please rack the test tubes in the holder.
    • A terrible cough racked his body.
    • The winemaker will rack the wine into a clean barrel.
    • The horse racked smoothly across the field.
Advanced Usage
  • "On the rack": Experiencing extreme stress, anxiety, or torture.
    • Waiting for the test results put him on the rack.
  • "Rack and ruin": A state of complete destruction or decay.
    • The old mansion fell into rack and ruin.
  • "Rack up": To accumulate or score (points, debts, victories).
    • The team racked up another win last night.
  • "Rack one's brains": To think very hard in an effort to remember or solve something.
    • I racked my brains trying to recall her name.
Variants and Related Words
  • Racking (adj): Causing intense pain or distress.
    • He had a racking cough.
  • Racketeer (n): A person who engages in dishonest and fraudulent business dealings.
  • Car rack (n): A framework attached to a vehicle for carrying bicycles, skis, or luggage.
Synonyms
  • Noun (Framework): Stand, frame, shelf, holder.
  • Verb (Torment): Torture, afflict, agonize, plague.
  • Verb (Strain): Wrench, shake, convulse.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Rack off (v): To draw off (a liquid) from sediment.
    • It's time to rack off this batch of cider.
  • Rack out (v, informal): To go to sleep.
    • I'm exhausted; I'm going to rack out.
Related Idioms
  • "Rack and pinion": A mechanical device for converting rotary into linear motion, commonly used in steering systems.
    • The car's steering uses a rack and pinion system.
  • "A rack of bones": A very thin person or animal.
    • After his illness, he was just a rack of bones.
rack

The newspapers were arranged on a rack.

Noun
  1. a rapid gait of a horse in which each foot strikes the ground separately
  2. a form of torture in which pain is inflicted by stretching the body
  3. a support for displaying various articles
    • the newspapers were arranged on a rack
  4. an instrument of torture that stretches or disjoints or mutilates victims
  5. the destruction or collapse of something
    • wrack and ruin
  6. rib section of a forequarter of veal or pork or especially lamb or mutton
  7. framework for holding objects
Verb
  1. torture on the rack
  2. seize together, as of parallel ropes of a tackle in order to prevent running through the block
  3. work on a rack
    • rack leather
  4. torment emotionally or mentally
  5. draw off from the lees
    • rack wine
  6. fly in high wind
  7. run before a gale
  8. obtain by coercion or intimidation
    • They extorted money from the executive by threatening to reveal his past to the company boss
    • They squeezed money from the owner of the business by threatening him
  9. put on a rack and pinion
    • rack a camera
  10. stretch to the limits
    • rack one's brains
  11. go at a rack
    • the horses single-footed

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