rack
n. · v.-
1 storage frame (n.) B1 Intermediatea frame or set of shelves used to hold, hang, or display things.
a framework or stand, often consisting of bars or shelves, designed for holding, hanging, or displaying specific items.
ExampleHe hung his wet coat on the drying rack in the laundry room.
ExampleThe retail space was organised with several minimalist clothing racks to ensure the designer garments remained the focal point of the boutique.
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2 cut of meat (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Cookinga piece of meat, usually lamb or pork, that includes several ribs.
a culinary cut of meat, typically from the rib section of a sheep or pig, containing several adjacent ribs.
ExampleWe ordered a rack of lamb with rosemary for the holiday dinner.
ExampleThe chef prepared a herb-crusted rack of venison, carefully trimming the fat to highlight the lean quality of the meat.
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3 torture device (n.) C1 Advanced Archaican old machine used to hurt people by stretching their bodies.
a historical instrument of torture consisting of a rectangular frame with rollers at both ends used to stretch the victim's limbs.
ExampleThe museum had a model of a medieval rack used hundreds of years ago.
ExampleHistorical accounts of the Tower of London often mention the rack as a primary method for extracting confessions from political prisoners.
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4 billiards triangle (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Sportthe triangle used to group the balls together before starting a game of pool.
a triangular frame used to align and pack billiard balls into a specific formation at the commencement of a game.
ExampleHe placed the balls in the rack and made sure they were tight before the break.
ExampleThe referee checked the rack to ensure every ball was in its designated position according to the tournament regulations.
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5 female breasts (n.) C1 Advanced Slang Vulgara slang word for a woman's breasts.
a slang term referring to a woman's breasts, generally considered objectifying or disrespectful.
ExampleHe made a rude comment about her rack and she walked away.
ExampleThe dialogue in the film was criticised for its reliance on crude jokes about a female character's rack.
Teacher's tipThis term is highly informal and often offensive; learners should avoid using it as it can be seen as sexist or objectifying.
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6 to cause pain or strain (v.) B2 Upper Intermediateto cause someone great physical or mental pain.
to subject someone to intense physical or mental suffering; often used figuratively regarding one's thoughts.
ExampleI had to rack my brain for an hour to remember where I left my keys.
ExampleThe witness was racked with guilt as he struggled to recount the events of the accident to the police.
UsageCommonly appears in the idiom 'rack one's brain'.
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7 to prepare a firearm (v.) C1 Advanced Technicalto pull back the slide of a gun to get it ready to fire.
to manually operate the slide or bolt of a firearm to chamber a round of ammunition.
ExampleIn the movie, the hero racks his shotgun before entering the building.
ExampleThe officer was trained to rack the slide with a firm, decisive motion to prevent the weapon from jamming during a high-stress encounter.
From Middle English rakke, rekke, from Middle Dutch rac, recke, rec (Dutch rek), see rekken.
From Old English reċċan (“to stretch out, extend”).
From Middle English reken, from Old Norse reka (“to be drifted, tost”) The noun is from Middle English rak, rakke, from Middle English rek (“drift; thing tossed ashore; jetsam”), from the verb.
From Middle English rakken.
See rack (“that which stretches”), or rock (verb).
See wreck.
Uncertain. Perhaps a contraction of rabbock, an alteration ( + -ock) of rabbit.