rack

A series of one or more shelves, stacked one above the other.

Any of various kinds of frame for holding luggage or other objects on a vehicle or vessel.

A device, incorporating a ratchet, used to torture victims by stretching them beyond their natural limits.

Ay, but I fear you speak upon the rack, / Where men enforced do speak anything.

During the troubles of the fifteenth century, a rack was introduced into the Tower, and was occasionally used under the plea of political necessity.

A piece or frame of wood, having several sheaves, through which the running rigging passes.

A bunk.

Chief Stevens approached my rack and repeatedly ordered me to vacate my rack and report to the working party.

By the time I had unpacked my sea bag, made my rack, and finished a good long hot shower, it was late in the evening.

To place in or hang on a rack.

To torture (someone) on the rack.

He was racked and miserably tormented.

As the poet Sir Thomas Wyatt later recalled, his father, Henry VII's jewel-house keeper Henry Wyatt, had been racked on the orders of Richard III, who had sat there and watched.

To cause (someone) to suffer pain.

Vaunting aloud but racked with deep despair.

To stretch or strain; to harass, or oppress by extortion.

Try what my credit can in Venice do; / That shall be racked even to the uttermost.

The landlords there most shamefully rack their tenants.

To alternately concatenate two words to magical effect.

Foꝛ when we heare one racke the name of God,/Abiure the ſcriptures, and his Sauiour Chꝛiſt...

To drive; move; go forward rapidly; stir.

To fly, as vapour or broken clouds.