rick
- 01 C1 Advanced
n.a large, neat pile of hay, straw, or wood kept outside, often covered to protect it from rain.
n.a large, usually outdoor stack of hay, corn, or straw, often thatched for protection against the elements.
Simple“The farmer spent the afternoon building a large rick of hay in the field.”
In context“Traditional farming methods involved building a rick with such precision that the outer layers naturally shed rainwater away from the core fodder.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a slight injury caused by twisting a part of your body, like your neck or back.
n.a slight sprain or strain, typically affecting the neck, back, or ankle.
Simple“I woke up with a painful rick in my neck from sleeping in a strange position.”
In context“He suffered a minor rick in his lower back while attempting to lift the heavy crate without proper form.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a slang term for a new person who has just started basic military training.
n.a derogatory or informal term for a new and naive boot camp inductee.
Simple“The drill sergeant spent the whole morning shouting at the new ricks.”
In context“The seasoned corporals watched with amusement as the ricks struggled to keep their gear organized during the first week of basic training.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to twist or pull a muscle slightly, usually in your neck or back.
v.to slightly sprain or wrench a joint or muscle, particularly in the neck or back.
Simple“Be careful not to rick your back when you lift those heavy boxes.”
In context“She managed to rick her ankle while jogging on the uneven pavement, forcing her to rest for several days.”
- 05 C2 Proficiency
v.to pile hay or straw into large, neat stacks.
v.to heap up hay, straw, or wood into ricks for storage.
Simple“They worked until sunset to rick the last of the season's harvest.”
In context“The laborers were hired specifically to rick the timber into uniform piles for measurement and eventual sale.”
From the male given name Richard.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.