1. (

• rack ,

) framework for holding objects ;

2. (

• rack

) rib section of a forequarter of veal or pork or especially lamb or mutton ;

3. (

• wrack ,
• rack

) the destruction or collapse of something; "wrack and ruin" ;

4. (

• rack ,
• wheel ,

) an instrument of torture that stretches or disjoints or mutilates victims ;

5. (

• rack ,
• stand ,

) a support for displaying various articles; "the newspapers were arranged on a rack" ;

6. (

• rack ,

) a form of torture in which pain is inflicted by stretching the body ;

7. (

• rack ,
• single-foot

) a rapid gait of a horse in which each foot strikes the ground separately ;

1. (

• single-foot ,
• rack

) go at a rack; "the horses single-footed" ;

2. (

• rack

) stretch to the limits; "rack one's brains" ;

3. (

• rack ,

) put on a rack and pinion; "rack a camera" ;

4. (

• extort ,
• squeeze ,
• rack ,
• gouge ,
• wring

) obtain by coercion or intimidation; "They extorted money from the executive by threatening to reveal his past to the company boss"; "They squeezed money from the owner of the business by threatening him" ;

5. (

• scud ,
• rack ,

) run before a gale ;

6. (

• rack ,

) fly in high wind ;

7. (

• rack ,

) draw off from the lees; "rack wine" ;

8. (

• torment ,
• torture ,
• excruciate ,
• rack ,

) torment emotionally or mentally ;

9. (

• rack

) work on a rack; "rack leather" ;

10. (

• rack ,

) seize together, as of parallel ropes of a tackle in order to prevent running through the block ;

11. (

• rack

) torture on the rack ;