rack

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a support for displaying various articles

   the newspapers were arranged on a rack

2. 2
   noun

   the destruction or collapse of something

   wrack and ruin

3. 3
   verb

   work on a rack

   rack leather

4. 4
   verb

   stretch to the limits

   rack one's brains

5. 5
   verb

   draw off from the lees

   rack wine

6. 6
   verb

   put on a rack and pinion

   rack a camera

7. 7
   noun

   A device, incorporating a ratchet, used to torture victims by stretching them beyond their natural limits.

   Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack, / Where men enforced do speak anything.

8. 8
   noun

   A bunk.

   Chief Stevens approached my rack and repeatedly ordered me to vacate my rack and report to the working party.

Etymology

From Middle English reken, from Old Norse reka (“to be drifted, tost”) The noun is from Middle English rak, rakke, from Middle English rek (“drift; thing tossed ashore; jetsam”), from the verb.