verb
rack
To cause severe pain or strain.
Sharp pains rack her back whenever she tries to stand.
Etymology
The verb draws on the rack, a device that stretches the body. Severe pain or strain is figuratively the same kind of distressing stretching or wrenching.
More examples
- He was racked with guilt after betraying his friend.
- Violent coughs were racking her body all night.
- She racks her brain trying to remember his name.
Forms
rack · racks · racked · racking