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The Collaborative International Dictionary
To be on the rack

Rack \Rack\, n. [Probably fr. D. rek, rekbank, a rack, rekken to stretch; akin to G. reck, reckbank, a rack, recken to stretch, Dan. r[ae]kke, Sw. r["a]cka, Icel. rekja to spread out, Goth. refrakjan to stretch out; cf. L. porrigere, Gr. 'ore`gein. [root]115. Cf. Right, a., Ratch.]

  1. An instrument or frame used for stretching, extending, retaining, or displaying, something. Specifically:

    1. 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.

      During the troubles of the fifteenth century, a rack was introduced into the Tower, and was occasionally used under the plea of political necessity.
      --Macaulay.

    2. An instrument for bending a bow.

    3. A grate on which bacon is laid.

    4. A frame or device of various construction for holding, and preventing the waste of, hay, grain, etc., supplied to beasts.

    5. A frame on which articles are deposited for keeping or arranged for display; as, a clothes rack; a bottle rack, etc.

    6. (Naut.) 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.

    7. (Mining) A frame or table on which ores are separated or washed.

    8. A frame fitted to a wagon for carrying hay, straw, or grain on the stalk, or other bulky loads.

    9. A distaff.

  2. (Mech.) 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.

  3. That which is extorted; exaction. [Obs.]
    --Sir E. Sandys.

    Mangle rack. (Mach.) See under Mangle. n.

    Rack block. (Naut.) See def. 1 (f), above.

    Rack lashing, a lashing or binding where the rope is tightened, and held tight by the use of a small stick of wood twisted around.

    Rack rail (Railroads), a toothed rack, laid as a rail, to afford a hold for teeth on the driving wheel of a locomotive for climbing steep gradients, as in ascending a mountain.

    Rack saw, a saw having wide teeth.

    Rack stick, the stick used in a rack lashing.

    To be on the rack, to suffer torture, physical or mental.

    To live at rack and manger, to live on the best at another's expense. [Colloq.]

    To put to the rack, to subject to torture; to torment.

    A fit of the stone puts a king to the rack, and makes him as miserable as it does the meanest subject.
    --Sir W. Temple.