RACK, n. [Eng. to reach. See Reach and Break.] 1. An engine of torture, used for extorting confessions from criminals or suspected persons. The rack is entirely unknown in free countries.2. Torture; extreme pain; anguish.A fit of the stone puts a king to the rack and makes him as miserable as it does the meanest subject.3. Any instrument for stretching or extending any thing; as a rack for bending a bow.4. A grate on which bacon is laid.5. A wooden frame of open work in which hay is laid for horses and cattle for feeding.6. The frame of bones of an animal; a skeleton. We say, a rack of bones.7. A frame of timber on a ship's bowsprit.RACK, n. [Eng. crag.] The neck and spine of a fore quarter of veal or mutton.[The two foregoing words are doubtless from one original.]RACK, n. [See Reek.] Properly, vapor; hence, thin flying broken clouds, or any portion of floating vapor in the sky.The winds in the upper region, which move the clouds above, which we call the rack -The great globe itself, yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve, and, like this unsubstantial pageant, faded, leave not a rack behind.It is disputed however, whether rack in this passage should not be wreck.RACK, n. [for arrack. See Arrack.] Among the Tartars, a spirituous liquor made of mare's milk which has become sour and is then distilled. RACK, v.i. [See the noun.] 1. Properly, to steam; to rise, as vapor.[See Reek, which is the word used.]2. To fly, as vapor or broken clouds. |
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In celebration of Noah Webster's Birthday (October 16, 2009), we have prepared an updated website. 
