 |
Sense: 1-3,5-7
| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Middle Dutch |
| Origin: | rec 'frame' |
| Origin: | Old English wræc 'unhappiness, punishment' |
Related topics:
1DT a frame or shelf that has bars or hooks on which you can put things : 
a wine racka magazine rack ➔ luggage rack, roof-rack
a wine racka magazine rack2 a piece of equipment that was used in the past to make people suffer severe pain by stretching their bodies : Thousands of people were tortured on the rack.
the rack
SHSCThousands of people were tortured on the rack.3 in a very difficult situation : The company is now well and truly on the rack.
on the rack
British English informalThe company is now well and truly on the rack.4 if a building goes to rack and ruin, it gradually gets into a very bad condition because no one has looked after it : The house had been left to go to rack and ruin.
go to rack and ruin
The house had been left to go to rack and ruin.5 American English a three-sided frame used for arranging the balls at the start of a game of snooker or pool
6 a fairly large piece of meat from the side of an animal, that contains several rib bones
a rack of lamb/pork
DFF7 if you can buy something off the rack, you can buy it in a shop rather than having it specially made [= off the peg British English] A lot of designer clothes are now available off the rack.
off the rack
American EnglishA lot of designer clothes are now available off the rack.
