hack

¹hack

verb \ˈhak\

Definition of HACK

transitive verb

1

a : to cut or sever with repeated irregular or unskillful blows

b : to cut or shape by or as if by crude or ruthless strokes <hacking out new election districts>

c : annoy, vex —often used with off

2

: to clear or make by or as if by cutting away vegetation <hacked his way through the brush>

3

a : to manage successfully <just couldn't hack the new job>

b : tolerate <I can't hack all this noise>

intransitive verb

1

a : to make chopping strokes or blows <hacked at the weeds>; also : to make cuts as if by chopping <hacking away at the work force>

b : to play inexpert golf

2

: to cough in a short dry manner

3

: loaf —usually used with around

4

a : to write computer programs for enjoyment

b : to gain access to a computer illegally

— hack it

1

: cope 2b <I can't hack it any longer>

2

: to be successful <couldn't hack it in the world of professional sports>

Origin of HACK

Middle English hakken, from Old English -haccian; akin to Old High German hacchōn to hack, Old English hōc hook

First Known Use: 13th century

Rhymes with HACK

back, black, Braque, clack, claque, crack, flack, flak, jack, knack, lac, lack, lakh, mac, Mac, pack, plaque, quack, rack, sac, sack, sacque, shack, slack, smack, snack, stack, tach, tack, thwack, track, Wac, wack, whack, wrack, yak

²hack

noun

Definition of HACK

1

: an implement for hacking

2

: nick, notch

3

: a short dry cough

4

: a hacking stroke or blow

5

: restriction to quarters as punishment for naval officers —usually used in the phrase under hack

6

: a usually creative solution to a computer hardware or programming problem or limitation

First Known Use of HACK

14th century

³hack

noun

Definition of HACK

1

a : hackney

b (1) : taxicab (2) : cabdriver

2

a (1) : a horse let out for common hire (2) : a horse used in all kinds of work

b : a horse worn out in service : jade

c : a light easy saddle horse; especially : a three-gaited saddle horse

d : a ride on a horse

3

a : a person who works solely for mercenary reasons : hireling <party hacks>

b : a writer who works on order; also : a writer who aims solely for commercial success

c : hacker 2

Origin of HACK

short for hackney

First Known Use: 1672

Other Automotive Terms

articulated, block, choke, clutch, diesel, neutral, transmission

⁴hack

adjective

Definition of HACK

1

: working for hire especially with mediocre professional standards <a hack journalist>

2

: performed by, suited to, or characteristic of a hack <hack writing>

3

: hackneyed, trite

Examples of HACK

1. <the abrupt revelation of an enemy masquerading as a friend is such a hack plot twist>

First Known Use of HACK

circa 1734

Related to HACK

Synonyms

banal, cliché (also cliche), clichéd, cobwebby, commonplace, stale, hackney, hackneyed, moth-eaten, musty, obligatory, shopworn, stereotyped, threadbare, timeworn, tired, trite, well-worn

Antonyms

fresh, new, novel, original, unclichéd, unhackneyed

Related Words

twice-told; bromidic, platitudinal, platitudinous; canned, cardboard, conventional, cookie-cutter, derivative, imitative, ready-made, tried-and-true, unimaginative, uninspired, unoriginal; normal, ordinary, rote, routine, standard, stock, typical, usual; arid, barren, boring, colorless, drab, dreary, drudging, dry, dull, dusty, flat, heavy, ho-hum, humdrum, jading, jejune, leaden, mind-numbing, monotonous, numbing, old, pedantic, pedestrian, ponderous, prosaic, stodgy, stuffy, tame, tedious, tiresome, tiring, undramatic, uninteresting, vapid, wearisome, weary, wearying; old-fashioned, old hat

Near Antonyms

animating, energizing, enlivening, exciting, galvanizing, invigorating, stimulating; absorbing, engaging, engrossing, gripping, interesting, intriguing, involving, riveting; atypical, extraordinary, strange, unaccustomed, uncommon, unfamiliar, unheard-of, unknown, unprecedented, unusual; pathbreaking, pioneering, trailblazing

⁵hack

verb

Definition of HACK

intransitive verb

1

: to ride or drive at an ordinary pace or over the roads especially as distinguished from racing or hunting

2

: to operate a taxicab

transitive verb

: to ride (a horse) at an ordinary pace

First Known Use of HACK

1857

⁶hack

transitive verb

Definition of HACK

: to rear (a young hawk) in a state of partial liberty especially prior to the acquisition of flight and hunting capabilities

Origin of HACK

hack, n., board on which a hawk is fed, state of partial liberty, probably alteration of Middle English hache, heche, heck lower door, hatch

First Known Use: 1883

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

⁷hack

noun

Definition of HACK

slang

: a guard especially at a prison

Origin of HACK

origin unknown

First Known Use: circa 1914