Rack, v. i. To fly, as vapor or broken clouds.
Rack, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Racked (rkt); p. pr. & vb. n. Racking.] [See
Rack that which stretches, or Rock, v.] To amble fast, causing a
rocking or swaying motion of the body; to pace; -- said of a horse.
Fuller.
Rack, n. A fast amble.
Rack, v. t. [Cf. OF. vin raqué wine squeezed from the dregs of the
grapes.] To draw off from the lees or sediment, as wine.
It is in common practice to draw wine or beer from the lees (which
we call racking), whereby it will clarify much the sooner.
Bacon.
Rack vintage, wine cleansed and drawn from the lees. Cowell.
Rack, n. [Probably fr. D. rek, rekbank, a rack, rekken to stretch; akin
to G. reck, reckbank, a rack, recken to stretch, Dan. række, Sw. räcka,
Icel. rekja to spread out, Goth. refrakjan to stretch out; cf. L.
porrigere, Gr. 'ore`gein. √115. Cf. Right, a., Ratch.] 1. An
instrument or frame used for stretching, extending, retaining, or
displaying, something. Specifically: (a) 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.
(b) An instrument for bending a bow. (c) A grate on which bacon is
laid. (d) A frame or device of various construction for holding, and
preventing the waste of, hay, grain, etc., supplied to beasts. (e) A
frame on which articles are deposited for keeping or arranged for
display; as, a clothes rack; a bottle rack, etc. (f) (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.
(g) (Mining) A frame or table on which ores are separated or washed.
(h) A frame fitted to a wagon for carrying hay, straw, or grain on the
stalk, or other bulky loads. (i) 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.