sack

noun (1)

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\ ˈsak

Definition of sack

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 : a usually rectangular-shaped bag (as of paper, burlap, or canvas)

2 : the amount contained in a sack especially : a fixed amount of a commodity used as a unit of measure

3a : a woman's loose-fitting dress

b : a short usually loose-fitting coat for women and children

c : sacque sense 2

4 : dismissal gave him the sack

5a : hammock, bunk

b : bed

6 : a base in baseball

7 : an instance of sacking the quarterback in football

sack

verb (1)

sacked; sacking; sacks

Definition of sack (Entry 2 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : to put in or as if in a sack

2 : to dismiss especially summarily

3 : to tackle (the quarterback) behind the line of scrimmage in football

sack

noun (2)

Definition of sack (Entry 3 of 5)

: any of several white wines imported to England from Spain and the Canary Islands during the 16th and 17th centuries

sack

verb (2)

sacked; sacking; sacks

Definition of sack (Entry 4 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : to plunder (a place, such as a town) especially after capture

2 : to strip of valuables : loot

sack

noun (3)

Definition of sack (Entry 5 of 5)

: the plundering of a captured town

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Choose the Right Synonym for sack

Verb (2)

ravage, devastate, waste, sack, pillage, despoil mean to lay waste by plundering or destroying. ravage implies violent often cumulative depredation and destruction. a hurricane ravaged the coast devastate implies the complete ruin and desolation of a wide area. an earthquake devastated the city waste may imply producing the same result by a slow process rather than sudden and violent action. years of drought had wasted the area sack implies carrying off all valuable possessions from a place. barbarians sacked ancient Rome pillage implies ruthless plundering at will but without the completeness suggested by sack. settlements pillaged by Vikings despoil applies to looting or robbing without suggesting accompanying destruction. the Nazis despoiled the art museums

First Known Use of sack

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1532, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

circa 1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1549, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for sack

Noun (1)

Middle English sak bag, sackcloth, from Old English sacc, from Latin saccus bag & Late Latin saccus sackcloth, both from Greek sakkos bag, sackcloth, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew śaq bag, sackcloth

Noun (2)

modification of Middle French sec dry, from Latin siccus; probably akin to Old High German sīhan to filter, Sanskrit siñcati he pours

Noun (3) and Verb (2)

Middle French sac, from Old Italian sacco, literally, bag, from Latin saccus

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