Dictionary of troublesome word. Bill Bryson. 2013.
rack, wrack — Wrack is an archaic variant of wreck and now almost never appears except in the expression wrack and ruin. Rack means to put under strain. The expressions are nerve racking and to rack one’s brain … Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors
rack, wrack — You didn t need a medical diploma to see that Williams was wracked with pain (New York Times). Wrack is an archaic variant of wreck and now almost never appears except in the expression wrack and ruin. Rack, the word intended in the quotation … Dictionary of troublesome word
wrack — , rack Wrack means to wreck; rack to strain. The expressions are wrack and ruin, nerve racking, and rack one’s brain … Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors
rack — Ⅰ. rack [1] ► NOUN 1) a framework for holding or storing things. 2) a cogged or toothed bar or rail engaging with a wheel or pinion, or using pegs to adjust the position of something. 3) (the rack) historical an instrument of torture consisting… … English terms dictionary
rack — in the phrase rack and ruin means ‘destruction’ and is normally spelt in this way in BrE, although it is originally a variant of the older form wrack (which is still sometimes used). Rack is one of nine nouns and seven verbs with this spelling,… … Modern English usage
Wrack — may refer to:* Wrack (mathematics), a concept in knot theory * Wrack (novel), a novel about the Mahogany Ship * Wrack (science), several species of seaweedPeople with the surname Wrack:* Darren Wrack (born 1976), English footballer * Matt Wrack… … Wikipedia
rack (or wrack) one's brains — make a great mental effort. → rack … English new terms dictionary
wrack — [ræk] [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: RACK1 to punish on the rack ] another spelling of ↑rack 2 … Dictionary of contemporary English
wrack one's brains — ► rack (or wrack) one s brains make a great mental effort. Main Entry: ↑rack … English terms dictionary
Rack — Rack, n. [Prob. fr. Icel. rek drift, motion, and akin to reka to drive, and E. wrack, wreck. [root]282.] Thin, flying, broken clouds, or any portion of floating vapor in the sky. Shak. [1913 Webster] The winds in the upper region, which move the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
