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1

wrack

noun \ ˈrak \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of wrack

1 a :a wrecked ship

b :wreckage

c :wreck

d dialect :the violent destruction of a structure, machine, or vehicle

2 a :marine vegetation; especially :kelp

b :dried seaweeds

Origin and Etymology of wrack

Middle English wrak, borrowed from Middle Dutch wrac, wracke & Middle Low German wrak, going back to Germanic *wrak-a- "something driven," noun derivative from the base of of Germanic *wrekan- "to drive out, pursue" — more at wreak

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

2

wrack

noun

Definition of wrack

1 :ruin, destruction

2 :a remnant of something destroyed

Origin and Etymology of wrack

Middle English wrake, wrak, going back to Old English wracu (genitive wræce) & wræc "vengeance, persecution, misery," noun derivatives from the base of Germanic *wrekan- "to drive out, pursue" — more at wreak

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

3

wrack

verb

Definition of wrack

transitive verb

:to utterly ruin :wreck

Origin and Etymology of wrack

earlier, "to undergo shipwreck, cast ashore by shipwreck," derivative of ¹wrack

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1562

See Words from the same year

4

wrack

verb

Definition of wrack

:⁴rack

Origin and Etymology of wrack

by alteration

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1555

See Words from the same year

5

wrack

noun

Definition of wrack

:³rack 2

First Known Use of wrack

1591

6

wrack

noun

Definition of wrack

:¹rack

First Known Use of wrack

1794

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

Learn More about wrack

See words that rhyme with wrack Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wrack Nglish: Translation of wrack for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of wrack for Arabic speakers

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