Rack
Webster's Dictionary [1]
(1): ( a.) A frame or device of various construction for holding, and preventing the waste of, hay, grain, etc., supplied to beasts.
(2): ( a.) A grate on which bacon is laid.
(3): ( n.) Same as Arrack.
(4): ( n.) The neck and spine of a fore quarter of veal or mutton.
(5): ( n.) A wreck; destruction.
(6): ( n.) Thin, flying, broken clouds, or any portion of floating vapor in the sky.
(7): ( v. i.) To fly, as vapor or broken clouds.
(8): ( a.) 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.
(9): ( a.) A frame or table on which ores are separated or washed.
(10): ( v.) To amble fast, causing a rocking or swaying motion of the body; to pace; - said of a horse.
(11): ( n.) A fast amble.
(12): ( v. t.) To draw off from the lees or sediment, as wine.
(13): ( a.) An instrument or frame used for stretching, extending, retaining, or displaying, something.
(14): ( 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.
(15): ( a.) An instrument for bending a bow.
(16): ( a.) 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.
(17): ( a.) That which is extorted; exaction.
(18): ( a.) A frame on which articles are deposited for keeping or arranged for display; as, a clothes rack; a bottle rack, etc.
(19): ( v. t.) To extend by the application of force; to stretch or strain; specifically, to stretch on the rack or wheel; to torture by an engine which strains the limbs and pulls the joints.
(20): ( a.) A frame fitted to a wagon for carrying hay, straw, or grain on the stalk, or other bulky loads.
(21): ( a.) A distaff.
(22): ( v. t.) To torment; to torture; to affect with extreme pain or anguish.
(23): ( v. t.) To bind together, as two ropes, with cross turns of yarn, marline, etc.
(24): ( v. t.) To stretch or strain, in a figurative sense; hence, to harass, or oppress by extortion.
(25): ( v. t.) To wash on a rack, as metals or ore.
The Nuttall Encyclopedia [2]
An instrument of torture; consisted of an oblong wooden frame, fitted with cords and levers, by means of which the victim's limbs were racked to the point of dislocation; dates back to Roman times, and was used against the early Christians; much resorted to by the Spanish Inquisition, and also at times by the Tudor monarchs of England, though subsequently prohibited by law in England.
