The Collaborative International Dictionary
Pack \Pack\, n. [Akin to D. pak, G. pack, Dan. pakke, Sw. packa, Icel. pakki, Gael. & Ir. pac, Arm. pak. Cf. Packet.]
A bundle made up and prepared to be carried; especially, a bundle to be carried on the back; a load for an animal; a bale, as of goods.
--Piers Plowman.-
[Cf. Peck, n.] A number or quantity equal to the contents of a pack; hence, a multitude; a burden. ``A pack of sorrows.'' ``A pack of blessings.''
--Shak.Note: ``In England, by a pack of meal is meant 280 lbs.; of wool, 240 lbs.''
--McElrath. -
A group or quantity of connected or similar things; as, a pack of lies; specifically:
A full set of playing cards; a deck; also, the assortment used in a particular game; as, a euchre pack.
A number of wolves, hounds or dogs, hunting or kept together; as, a wolf pack.
A number of persons associated or leagued in a bad design or practice; a gang; as, a pack of thieves or knaves.
A shook of cask staves.
A bundle of sheet-iron plates for rolling simultaneously.
A large area of floating pieces of ice driven together more or less closely.
--Kane.An envelope, or wrapping, of sheets used in hydropathic practice, called dry pack, wet pack, cold pack, etc., according to the method of treatment.
[Prob. the same word; but cf. AS. p[=ae]can to deceive.] A loose, lewd, or worthless person. See Baggage. [Obs.]
--Skelton.(Med.) In hydropathic practice, a wrapping of blankets or sheets called dry pack, wet pack, cold pack, etc., according to the condition of the blankets or sheets used, put about a patient to give him treatment; also, the fact or condition of being so treated.
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(Rugby Football) The forwards who compose one half of the scrummage; also, the scrummage.
Pack animal, an animal, as a horse, mule, etc., employed in carrying packs.
Pack and prime road or Pack and prime way, a pack road or bridle way.
Pack cloth, a coarse cloth, often duck, used in covering packs or bales.
Pack horse. See Pack animal (above).
Pack ice. See def. 4, above.
Pack moth (Zo["o]l.), a small moth ( Anacampsis sarcitella) which, in the larval state, is very destructive to wool and woolen fabrics.
Pack needle, a needle for sewing with pack thread.
--Piers Plowman.Pack saddle, a saddle made for supporting the load on a pack animal.
--Shak.Pack staff, a staff for supporting a pack; a peddler's staff.
Pack train (Mil.), a troop of pack animals.