Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Pack?

\Pack\, n. 1. (Med.) In hydropathic practice, a wrapping of blankets or sheets called {dry pack}, {wet pack}, {cold pack}, etc., according to the condition of the blankets or sheets used, put about a patient to give him treatment; also, the fact or condition of being so treated. 2. (Rugby Football) The forwards who compose one half of the scrummage; also, the scrummage. {Pack and prime} {road or way}, a pack road or bridle way.
\Pack\, v. t. To cover, envelop, or protect tightly with something; specif. (Hydropathy), to envelop in a wet or dry sheet, within numerous coverings.
\Pack\, n. [Cf. {Pact}.] A pact. [Obs.] --Daniel.
\Pack\, n. [Akin to D. pak, G. pack, Dan. pakke, Sw. packa, Icel. pakki, Gael. & Ir. pac, Arm. pak. Cf. {Packet}.] 1. A bundle made up and prepared to be carried; especially, a bundle to be carried on the back; a load for an animal; a bale, as of goods. --Piers Plowman. 2. [Cf. {Peck}, n.] A number or quantity equal to the contents of a pack; hence, a multitude; a burden. ``A pack of sorrows.'' ``A pack of blessings.'' --Shak. Note: ``In England, by a pack of meal is meant 280 lbs.; of wool, 240 lbs.'' --McElrath. 3. A number or quantity of connected or similar things; as: (a) A full set of playing cards; also, the assortment used in a particular game; as, a euchre pack. (b) A number of hounds or dogs, hunting or kept together. (c) A number of persons associated or leagued in a bad design or practice; a gang; as, a pack of thieves or knaves. (d) A shook of cask staves. (e) A bundle of sheet-iron plates for rolling simultaneously. 4. A large area of floating pieces of ice driven together more or less closely. --Kane. 5. An envelope, or wrapping, of sheets used in hydropathic practice, called dry pack, wet pack, cold pack, etc., according to the method of treatment. 6. [Prob. the same word; but cf. AS. p?can to deceive.] A loose, lewd, or worthless person. See {Baggage}. [Obs.] --Skelton. {Pack animal}, an animal, as a horse, mule, etc., employed in carrying packs. {Pack cloth}, a coarse cloth, often duck, used in covering packs or bales. {Pack horse}. See {Pack animal} (above). {Pack ice}. See def. 4, above. {Pack moth} (Zo["o]l.), a small moth ({Anacampsis sarcitella}) which, in the larval state, is very destructive to wool and woolen fabrics. {Pack needle}, a needle for sewing with pack thread. --Piers Plowman. {Pack saddle}, a saddle made for supporting the load on a pack animal. --Shak. {Pack staff}, a staff for supporting a pack; a peddler's staff. {Pack thread}, strong thread or small twine used for tying packs or parcels. {Pack train} (Mil.), a troop of pack animals.
\Pack\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Packed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Packing}.] [Akin to D. pakken, G. packen, Dan. pakke, Sw. packa, Icel. pakka. See {Pack}, n.] 1. To make a pack of; to arrange closely and securely in a pack; hence, to place and arrange compactly as in a pack; to press into close order or narrow compass; as to pack goods in a box; to pack fish. Strange materials packed up with wonderful art. --Addison. Where . . . the bones Of all my buried ancestors are packed. --Shak. 2. To fill in the manner of a pack, that is, compactly and securely, as for transportation; hence, to fill closely or to repletion; to stow away within; to cause to be full; to crowd into; as, to pack a trunk; the play, or the audience, packs the theater. 3. To sort and arrange (the cards) in a pack so as to secure the game unfairly. And mighty dukes pack cards for half a crown. --Pope. 4. Hence: To bring together or make up unfairly and fraudulently, in order to secure a certain result; as, to pack a jury or a causes. The expected council was dwindling into . . . a packed assembly of Italian bishops. --Atterbury. 5. To contrive unfairly or fraudulently; to plot. [Obs.] He lost life . . . upon a nice point subtilely devised and packed by his enemies. --Fuller. 6. To load with a pack; hence, to load; to encumber; as, to pack a horse. Our thighs packed with wax, our mouths with honey. --Shack. 7. To cause to go; to send away with baggage or belongings; esp., to send away peremptorily or suddenly; -- sometimes with off; as, to pack a boy off to school. He . . . must not die Till George be packed with post horse up to heaven. --Shak. 8. To transport in a pack, or in the manner of a pack (i. e., on the backs of men or beasts). [Western U.S.] 9. (Hydropathy) To envelop in a wet or dry sheet, within numerous coverings. See {Pack}, n., 5. 10. (Mech.) To render impervious, as by filling or surrounding with suitable material, or to fit or adjust so as to move without giving passage to air, water, or steam; as, to pack a joint; to pack the piston of a steam engine.
\Pack\, v. i. 1. To make up packs, bales, or bundles; to stow articles securely for transportation. 2. To admit of stowage, or of making up for transportation or storage; to become compressed or to settle together, so as to form a compact mass; as, the goods pack conveniently; wet snow packs well. 3. To gather in flocks or schools; as, the grouse or the perch begin to pack. [Eng.] 4. To depart in haste; -- generally with off or away. Poor Stella must pack off to town --Swift. You shall pack, And never more darken my doors again. --Tennyson. 5. To unite in bad measures; to confederate for ill purposes; to join in collusion. [Obs.] ``Go pack with him.'' --Shak. {To send packing}, to drive away; to send off roughly or in disgrace; to dismiss unceremoniously. ``The parliament . . . presently sent him packing.'' --South.