wrack

noun (1)

\ ˈrak

Definition of wrack

(Entry 1 of 6)

1a : a wrecked ship

b : wreckage

c : wreck

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

2a : marine vegetation especially : kelp

b : dried seaweeds

wrack

noun (2)

Definition of wrack (Entry 2 of 6)

1 : ruin, destruction

2 : a remnant of something destroyed

wrack

verb (1)

wracked; wracking; wracks

Definition of wrack (Entry 3 of 6)

transitive verb

: to utterly ruin : wreck

wrack

verb (2)

wracked; wracking; wracks

Definition of wrack (Entry 4 of 6)

: rack entry 2

wrack

noun (3)

Definition of wrack (Entry 5 of 6)

: rack entry 1 sense 2

wrack

noun (4)

Definition of wrack (Entry 6 of 6)

: rack entry 7

First Known Use of wrack

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1562, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

circa 1555, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1591, in the meaning defined above

Noun (4)

1794, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for wrack

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

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

Verb (1)

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

Verb (2)

by alteration

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