The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
mangle \man"gle\, n. [D. mangel, fr. OE. mangonel a machine for
throwing stones, LL. manganum, Gr. ? a machine for defending
fortifications, axis of a pulley. Cf. Mangonel.]
A machine for smoothing linen or cotton cloth, as sheets,
tablecloths, napkins, and clothing, by roller pressure, often
with heated rollers.
[1913 Webster]
Mangle rack (Mach.), a contrivance for converting
continuous circular motion into reciprocating rectilinear
motion, by means of a rack and pinion, as in the mangle.
The pinion is held to the rack by a groove in such a
manner that it passes alternately from one side of the
rack to the other, and thus gives motion to it in opposite
directions, according to the side in which its teeth are
engaged.
Mangle wheel, a wheel in which the teeth, or pins, on its
face, are interrupted on one side, and the pinion, working
in them, passes from inside to outside of the teeth
alternately, thus converting the continuous circular
motion of the pinion into a reciprocating circular motion
of the wheel.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Rack \Rack\, n. [Probably fr. D. rek, rekbank, a rack, rekken to
stretch; akin to G. reck, reckbank, a rack, recken to
stretch, Dan. r[ae]kke, Sw. r[aum]cka, Icel. rekja to spread
out, Goth. refrakjan to stretch out; cf. L. porrigere, Gr.
'ore`gein. [root]115. Cf. Right, a., Ratch.]
1. An instrument or frame used for stretching, extending,
retaining, or displaying, something. Specifically:
(a) An engine of torture, consisting of a large frame,
upon which the body was gradually stretched until,
sometimes, the joints were dislocated; -- formerly
used judicially for extorting confessions from
criminals or suspected persons.
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During the troubles of the fifteenth century, a
rack was introduced into the Tower, and was
occasionally used under the plea of political
necessity. --Macaulay.
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(b) An instrument for bending a bow.
(c) A grate on which bacon is laid.
(d) A frame or device of various construction for holding,
and preventing the waste of, hay, grain, etc.,
supplied to beasts.
(e) A frame on which articles are deposited for keeping or
arranged for display; as, a clothes rack; a bottle
rack, etc.
(f) (Naut.) A piece or frame of wood, having several
sheaves, through which the running rigging passes; --
called also rack block. Also, a frame to hold shot.
(g) (Mining) A frame or table on which ores are separated
or washed.
(h) A frame fitted to a wagon for carrying hay, straw, or
grain on the stalk, or other bulky loads.
(i) A distaff.
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2. (Mech.) A bar with teeth on its face, or edge, to work
with those of a wheel, pinion, or worm, which is to drive
it or be driven by it.
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3. That which is extorted; exaction. [Obs.] --Sir E. Sandys.
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Mangle rack. (Mach.) See under Mangle. n.
Rack block. (Naut.) See def. 1
(f), above.
Rack lashing, a lashing or binding where the rope is
tightened, and held tight by the use of a small stick of
wood twisted around.
Rack rail (Railroads), a toothed rack, laid as a rail, to
afford a hold for teeth on the driving wheel of a
locomotive for climbing steep gradients, as in ascending a
mountain.
Rack saw, a saw having wide teeth.
Rack stick, the stick used in a rack lashing.
To be on the rack, to suffer torture, physical or mental.
To live at rack and manger, to live on the best at
another's expense. [Colloq.]
To put to the rack, to subject to torture; to torment.
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A fit of the stone puts a king to the rack, and
makes him as miserable as it does the meanest
subject. --Sir W.
Temple.
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