RACK (9)

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. ορἔγειν. √115. Cf. Right, a., Ratch.]] 1. 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. 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.
3. 3. That which is extorted; exaction. Sir E. Sandys.
Mangle rack. (Mach.) See under Mangle, n. — Rack block. (Naut.) See def. 1 (f), above. — Rack lashing, a lashing or binding where the rope is tightened, and held tight by the use of a small stick of wood twisted around. — Rack rail (Railroads), a toothed rack, laid as a rail, to afford a hold for teeth on the driving wheel of a locomotive for climbing steep gradients, as in ascending a mountain. — Rack saw, a saw having wide teeth. — Rack stick, the stick used in a rack lashing. — To be on the rack, to suffer torture, physical or mental. — To live at rack and manger, to live on the best at another's expense. — To put to the rack, to subject to torture; to torment. A fit of the stone puts a king to the rack, and makes him as miserable as it does the meanest subject. Sir W. Temple.