Rack"et (rk"t), n. [F. raquette; cf. Sp. raqueta, It. racchetta, which
is perhaps for retichetta, and fr. L. rete a net (cf. Reticule); or
perh. from the Arabic; cf. Ar. rha the palm of the hand (used at first
to strike the ball), and OF. rachette, rasquette, carpus, tarsus.]
[Written also racquet.] 1. A thin strip of wood, having the ends
brought together, forming a somewhat elliptical hoop, across which a
network of catgut or cord is stretched. It is furnished with a handle,
and is used for catching or striking a ball in tennis and similar
games.
Each one [of the Indians] has a bat curved like a crosier, and
ending in a racket.
Bancroft.
2. A variety of the game of tennis played with peculiar long-handled
rackets; -- chiefly in the plural. Chaucer.
3. A snowshoe formed of cords stretched across a long and narrow frame
of light wood. [Canada]
4. A broad wooden shoe or patten for a man or horse, to enable him to
step on marshy or soft ground.
Racket court, a court for playing the game of rackets.
Rack"et, v. t. To strike with, or as with, a racket.
Poor man [is] racketed from one temptation to another.
Hewyt.