Ra*chit"ic (r*kt"k), a. [Cf. F. rachitique. See Rachitis.] (Med.) Of or
pertaining to rachitis; affected by rachitis; rickety.
||Ra*chi"tis (r*k"ts), n. [NL., fr. Gr. "rachi^tis (sc. nosos), fr.
||"ra`chis, -ios, the spine.] [Written also rhachitis.] 1. (Med.)
||Literally, inflammation of the spine, but commonly applied to the
||rickets. See Rickets.
2. (Bot.) A disease which produces abortion in the fruit or seeds.
Henslow.
Ra"chi*tome (r"k*tm), n. [F., fr. Gr. "ra`chis, - ios, the spine +
te`mnein to cut.] A dissecting instrument for opening the spinal canal.
[Written also rachiotome.]
Ra"cial (r"shal), a. Of or pertaining to a race or family of men; as,
the racial complexion.
Ra"ci*ly (r"s*l), adv. In a racy manner.
Ra"ci*ness (r"s*ns), n. The quality of being racy; peculiar and piquant
flavor.
The general characteristics of his [Cobbett's] style were
perspicuity, unequaled and inimitable; . . . a purity always
simple, and raciness often elegant.
London Times.
Ra"cing (r"sng), a. & n. from Race, v. t. & i.
Racing crab (Zoöl.), an ocypodian.
Rack (rk), n. Same as Arrack.
Rack, n. [AS. hracca neck, hinder part of the head; cf. AS. hraca
throat, G. rachen throat, E. retch.] The neck and spine of a fore
quarter of veal or mutton.
Rack, n. [See Wreck.] A wreck; destruction. [Obs., except in a few
phrases.]
Rack and ruin, destruction; utter ruin. [Colloq.] -- To go to rack, to
perish; to be destroyed. [Colloq.] "All goes to rack." Pepys.
Rack, n. [Prob. fr. Icel. rek drift, motion, and akin to reka to drive,
and E. wrack, wreck. √282.] Thin, flying, broken clouds, or any
portion of floating vapor in the sky. Shak.
The winds in the upper region, which move the clouds above, which
we call the rack, . . . pass without noise.
Bacon.
And the night rack came rolling up.