Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Sack?

\Sack\ (s[scr]k), n. [OE. seck, F. sec dry (cf. Sp. seco, It. secco), from L. siccus dry, harsh; perhaps akin to Gr. 'ischno`s, Skr. sikata sand, Ir. sesc dry, W. hysp. Cf. {Desiccate}.] A name formerly given to various dry Spanish wines. ``Sherris sack.'' --Shak. {Sack posset}, a posset made of sack, and some other ingredients.
\Sack\, n. [OE. sak, sek, AS. sacc, s[ae]cc, L. saccus, Gr. sa`kkos from Heb. sak; cf. F. sac, from the Latin. Cf. {Sac}, {Satchel}, {Sack} to plunder.] 1. A bag for holding and carrying goods of any kind; a receptacle made of some kind of pliable material, as cloth, leather, and the like; a large pouch. 2. A measure of varying capacity, according to local usage and the substance. The American sack of salt is 215 pounds; the sack of wheat, two bushels. --McElrath. 3. [Perhaps a different word.] Originally, a loosely hanging garment for women, worn like a cloak about the shoulders, and serving as a decorative appendage to the gown; now, an outer garment with sleeves, worn by women; as, a dressing sack. [Written also {sacque}.] 4. A sack coat; a kind of coat worn by men, and extending from top to bottom without a cross seam. 5. (Biol.) See 2d {Sac}, 2. {Sack bearer} (Zo["o]l.). See {Basket worm}, under {Basket}. {Sack tree} (Bot.), an East Indian tree ({Antiaris saccidora}) which is cut into lengths, and made into sacks by turning the bark inside out, and leaving a slice of the wood for a bottom. {To give the sack to} or {get the sack}, to discharge, or be discharged, from employment; to jilt, or be jilted. [Slang]
\Sack\, v. t. 1. To put in a sack; to bag; as, to sack corn. Bolsters sacked in cloth, blue and crimson. --L. Wallace. 2. To bear or carry in a sack upon the back or the shoulders. [Colloq.]
\Sack\, n. [F. sac plunder, pillage, originally, a pack, packet, booty packed up, fr. L. saccus. See {Sack} a bag.] The pillage or plunder, as of a town or city; the storm and plunder of a town; devastation; ravage. The town was stormed, and delivered up to sack, -- by which phrase is to be understood the perpetration of all those outrages which the ruthless code of war allowed, in that age, on the persons and property of the defenseless inhabitants, without regard to sex or age. --Prescott.
\Sack\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Sacked}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Sacking}.] [See {Sack} pillage.] To plunder or pillage, as a town or city; to devastate; to ravage. The Romans lay under the apprehensions of seeing their city sacked by a barbarous enemy. --Addison.