ransackn.
/ˈransak/, U.S. /ˈrænˌsæk/ The action or an act of ransacking something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > [noun] > types of search or searching > rummaging or thorough searching
ransack1579
rummaging1622
ferreting1859
mousing1870
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > [noun] > searching with a view to
riflinga1350
ransackinga1400
ransack1579
1579 H. Chettle Forrest of Fancy sig. Cv What sacraledge, what raunsack rude, what bloodshead would be then?
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie ii. xi. sig. ij In the ransacke of the Cities of Cartagena and S. Dominico.
1635 F. Quarles Emblemes iv. xii. 229 What unwonted way Has scap'd the ransack of my rambling thoughts?
1649 Earl of Monmouth tr. J. F. Senault Use of Passions 137 His Choler committed no less ransack.
1694 tr. E. Benoist Hist. Famous Edict of Nantes I. ii. 342 They went about to expose their Country to the Plunder and Ransack of Foreigners.
1733 S. Bowden Poet. Ess. I. 116 Witness gigantic Heaps which Fortune left, by sacred Ransack of the rest bereft.
1797 S. J. Pratt Family Secrets III. viii. 32 Little Fritz, who, in the general ransack of the company, had left the coach..ran to the person whom Johnathan Armstrong was putting an end to.
1821 R. Southey Exped. Orsua 154 A soldier in the general ransack found a jar of olives..in which he had concealed some..gold.
1887 R. D. Blackmore Springhaven III. xv. 208 ‘There are no official papers here’, he said, after another short ransack.
1930 N. Shepherd Weatherhouse xi. 215 The master's drawer beneath his bookcase standing open and her having a good ransack.
1966 J. Chamier Cannonball xiii. 121 We had had something out of that ransack—the final clue.
1996 S. Deane Reading in Dark (1997) i. 28 Another went out to the yard and split open a bag of cement in his ransack of the shed.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
ransackv.
/ˈransak/, U.S. /ˈrænˌsæk/α. Middle English ranstake (transmission error), Middle English raunsake, Middle English rausaketh (past participle, transmission error), Middle English rensack, Middle English ronsak, Middle English ronsake, Middle English–1500s rensake, Middle English–1600s ransake, Middle English–1700s ransak, Middle English– ransack, 1500s ransike, 1500s raunsack, 1500s raunsacke, 1500s–1600s ransacke, 1500s–1700s ransac, 1600s raunsak, 1600s ronsack; Scottish pre-1700 ransacke, pre-1700 ransak, pre-1700 ransek, pre-1700 ransik, pre-1700 runsik, pre-1700 1700s– ransack, 1900s– ranseck; N.E.D. (1903) also records a form late Middle English ransacke.
β. U.S. regional (chiefly southern and Midland) 1800s– ramsack; Scottish 1900s– ramseck.
See also ramshack v. 1. With finding something as a purpose.† a. transitive. To search (a person) for something stolen or missing. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search (a person)
ransacka1325
search1474
frisk1789
to rub down1825
grope1837
to run the rule over1865
fan1927
to pat down1943
screen1951
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2323 He gan hem ransaken on and on, And fond it [sc. Joseph's cup] ðor sone a-non.
1493 Festivall (1515) (de Worde) f. 22 They..sayd it was not so, and he [sc. Joseph] ransaked them by and by.
a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk Festial (Gough) (1905) 99 (MED) Þay..bade hom [sc. Joseph] ronsak hom yche on.
1627 W. Hawkins Apollo Shroving v. vi. 89 If I must be ransackt, I pray you let it be done by a Iury of Muses.
1647 R. Baron Εροτοπαιγνιον ii. 15 Faiel interrupted his [sc. a servant's] passage, and questioned him.., and finding his faultering tongue to let fall some unadvised slips, he and his Servants ransackt him.
b. transitive. To search (a place, collection of things, receptacle, etc.) thoroughly for something (in early use, something stolen; cf. sense 1a). Chiefly with for. Also figurative.In later use (under the influence of sense 2) frequently with the implication of carelessness or roughness and of causing damage or disorder.Formerly also with †up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search a place or receptacle thoroughly
asearch1382
searcha1387
ransacka1400
ripea1400
upripe?a1400
riflec1400
ruffle1440
gropea1529
rig1572
rake1618
rummage1621
haul1666
fish1727
call1806
ratch1859
to turn over1859
to go through ——1861
rifle1894
rancel1899
to take apart1920
fine-tooth comb1949
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) 4893 (MED) Foluis þaim and ransakis [a1400 Vesp. ripe] þair ware, Ar þat þai pass or fra vs fare.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 679/1 He hath ransaked all the chystes I have for his beades.
1532 T. More Confut. Tyndale in Wks. 595/2 He sayth..that the woman had lost her money, though by ransaking vp her howse and seking she founde it at last agayne.
1591 R. Greene Second Pt. Conny-catching sig. F3 The Knight sate down by him and fell a ransacking his budget.
1644 H. Parker Jus Populi 42 We have ransacked the bosome of Nature for all species of Power.
1656 J. Harrington Common-wealth of Oceana 52 How necessary that the Archives of ancient prudence should be ransackt.
1691 J. Dunton Voy. round World I. sig. A 8 Thro' each Cælestial Chamber did he strole, And Ransackt every Corner, every Hole.
1709 D. Manley Secret Mem. 89 I think I had best present your Mightiness's with the Draught of an Essay... I'll quickly ransack my Satchel for it.
1740 C. Cibber Apol. Life C. Cibber xvi. 323 I am ransacking my memory, for..scraps of theatrical history.
1798 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. 1st Ser. V. 57 He then wishing to smoke a pipe, ransacked the island for tobacco.
a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) v. 150 She scratches, ransacks up the earth for food.
1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. iii. 147 The Latin language is ransacked for strange and out of the way terms.
1903 ‘T. Collins’ Such is Life iii. 126 Vainly ransacking my mind for some expression of thanks that wouldn't sound ironical.
1954 C. Beaton Glass of Fashion xvii. 294 She saved pampas grass, honesty and thistles, and ransacked the hedges for old man's beard to give further variety to her ingenious displays.
2002 A. Pearson I don't know how she does It (2003) ii. 33 I ransack the cabinet, looking for a relaxing bath oil.
c. intransitive. To make a thorough search of a place, collection of things, etc. Frequently with in, through. Also figurative.In later use (under the influence of sense 2) frequently with the implication of carelessness or roughness and of causing damage or disorder.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > make a search [verb (intransitive)] > rummage or search thoroughly
ransackc1405
range1553
rig1565
rake1574
mouse1575
ferret1580
spoacha1585
rummage1625
scrimmage1843
fossick1871
roust1919
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > close examination, scrutiny > examine closely [verb (intransitive)]
ransackc1405
sift1535
to bolt all the flour1590
scrutine1592
profound1643
scrutinize1699
probe1878
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 147 To ransake [v.r. ranstake] in the taas[..]of bodies dede Hem for to strepe of harneys and of wede The pilours diden bisynesse.
a1450 York Plays (1885) 487 To I fynde of þis felawschippe faithfull in fere I shall renne and reste not to ransake full right.
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll.) 224 The kynge..rensaked over all the feldis for his bolde barouns.
1569 B. Googe Shippe of Safegarde sig. E6 Ceaseth not the tyrants foote For to pursue him still, But ransacking [printed ransa king] in euerie place, The guiltlesse bloud to spill.
1573 G. Gascoigne Hundreth Sundrie Flowres 389 As they ransackte so, lo God his will it was, A noble wyse Venetian by me did chaunce to passe.
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. v. 178 We..ransake deeply in her bosome tender.
1696 W. Peirse in E. Walker Epicteti Enchiridon (1702) xxvi Whilst there they ransack thro' the hidden store.
1732 D. Neal Hist. Puritans I. 253 This raised a clamour as if the Queen intended to ransack into mens consciences.
1798 J. O'Keefe Czar Peter ii. i. 146 Master not at home—all the trunks open—now other servants would take advantage of this and ransack and rummage.
1806 C. Wilmot Let. 21 Mar. in M. Wilmot & C. Wilmot Russ. Jrnls. (1934) ii. 220 She had got a violent sore throat & the House was ransacking for remedies!
1856 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. (U.S. ed.) Apr. 434/2 The patient historian has all this time been ransacking in old archives.
1886 Indiana (Pa.) Democrat 7 Oct. For a couple of weeks our senior member has been ransacking through the stocks of eastern Manufacturers and Jobbers.
1917 E. Ferber Fanny Herself iv. 46 It sent one to the pantry in a sort of trance, to ransack for food—cookies, apples, cold meat, anything.
1993 S. Noyes Los Comanches xxii. 223 Members of the party ransacked through the goods, choosing those they wished to take.
2. With stealing something as a purpose.
a. transitive. To search (a place, person, etc.) with intent to rob, esp. roughly or carelessly, so as to cause damage or disorder in the process; (hence) to rob, plunder, pillage.Formerly also with †of.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > rob [verb (transitive)] > search with a view to robbing
ransacka1325
mousec1580
ranshackle1605
to turn over1859
ramshack1893
rat1906
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1773 Ðu me ransakes als an ðef.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) v. 6094 (MED) Robberie..can the packes wel ransake [rhyme take]; So prively berth non aboute His gold that he ne fint it oute.
c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xix. 122 Filius..flegh..To ransake [c1400 B text To go robbe] þe rageman and reue hym hus apples Þat fyrst man deceyuede.
1465 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 330 The Duck ys men rensackyd the church and bare a-way all the gode that was lefte there.
a1535 T. More Treat. Memorare Nouissima in Wks. (1557) I. 94 In what painefull plight they shall lye a dying, while theyr executours afore their face ransake vp theyr sackes.
?1577 J. Northbrooke Spiritus est Vicarius Christi: Treat. Dicing 68 To ransacke and spoyle cities and townes.
1602 Larum for London sig. C4v Sol. Off with her Iewels. Stum. How now, two Soldiers ransacking a woman?
1638 R. Baker tr. J. L. G. de Balzac New Epist. II. 110 Hee hath beene robbed and ransacked in France.
1686 tr. J. Chardin Trav. Persia 145 That poor country had been pillag'd, plunder'd and ransack'd by the Persians.
1755 J. Shebbeare Lydia (1769) II. 413 Those whose houses are ransacked by invading enemies.
1787 R. Jephson Julia iii. x. 48 I know these precious gems, Bought with such cost: the east was ransack'd for them.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas III. vii. xv. 203 They rob, ransack, and devour me.
1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 109 The palaces were ransacked of their valuables and then ruthlessly set on fire.
1950 J. Lait & L. Mortimer Chicago: Confidential ii. xvii. 141 Though the murderer apparently walked off with two fur coats, no other valuables were taken and the place was not ransacked.
1992 Daily Tel. 24 July 6/1 The younger of my two daughters..who kept her bedroom very tidy, was upset to find it had been ransacked and little things stolen.
b. transitive. To search for and steal (goods, valuables, etc.); to find and take as plunder. Now usually in passive.Formerly also with †away, †up.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > robbery > sacking, raiding, or looting > sack, raid, or loot [verb (transitive)] > carry off as loot or plunder
skeckc1325
ravisha1382
ransackc1460
ravena1513
distruss1548
harry1579
rapine1580
sack1590
harrage1655
to walk off with1727
loot1847
jay-hawk1866
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn 3652 (MED) Hanybald shall..delyvir the good a-geyn þat from ȝewe was ransakid.
1534 W. Turner tr. J. von Watt Of Olde God & Newe sig. Fijv The nations dyd ransake away what soeuer thinges they myght.
1600 R. Chambers Palestina sig. O2v Man made in the likenesse of God, did the diuell ransacke by a cowardly wylinesse.
1621 R. Montagu Diatribæ Hist. Tithes 463 To spoyle the whole Countrey: and rake and ransake vp all things that are for mans vse.
1672 M. Atkins Cataplus 4 Such was their appetite and hunger They ransackt all the victual hung there.
1762 Let. from Elephant to People of Eng. 11 Those lawless Ruffians, called K—g's M—rs, had..wantonly committed the most shameful and attrocious Outrage, plundering, morauding, devouring, ravaging and ransacking every Thing which the ravenous Wretches could fix their blasting Eyes and hellish Hands upon.
1820 T. Cromwell Excurs. Ireland 138 The Irish laid hold of the opportunity, rushed in..and ransacked the king's treasure.
1867 M. E. Herbert Cradle Lands viii. 218 Even scented soap and toilette-vinegar..were ransacked from his stores.
1906 Jewish Q. Rev. 18 763 The Crimea, the Caucasus, Egypt, Palestine, and Mesopotamia, were the countries the treasures of which he aimed at ransacking.
1947 H. S. Bennett Chaucer & 15th Cent. i. 6 The masses of treasure ransacked from the French wars were to be seen in palace and hall.
1994 Antique Collector June 76/1 The ready availability of medieval artefacts ransacked from European churches during periods of political upheaval.
c. intransitive. To go plundering or robbing. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1587 T. Hughes Certaine Deuises iii. ii. 23 The time (puissant Prince) permits not now To moane our wrongs, or search each seuerall sore. Since Arthur thus hath ransackt all abroade.
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres v. 179 To robbe..and ransack, whereby to sustaine themselues.
1608 G. Wilkins Painfull Adventures Pericles iii. sig. C2 The messenger by this also hath deliuered the pleasure of the Gouernour, which the Prince weeping to attend, who rather came to releeue than to ransacke.
1642 Lancash. Tracts Civil War (Chetham Soc.) 46 The Souldier hath ransakt and pillag'd..in the country thereabouts.
1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture II. 53 A furious and insolent enemy ransacking among the Sepulchres of their Ancestors.
1793 J. O'Keefe World in Village iv. iii. 56 He has been ransacking abroad.
1856 D. M. Mulock John Halifax I. viii. 168 Wherever they had been ransacking, as yet they had not attacked my father's house.
1946 Amer. Slavic & East European Rev. 5 35 Their troops were, about 384 [ a.d.], already pillaging and ransacking in Thrace.
3. † b. transitive. figurative. Of a thing: to penetrate, search, explore; to permeate. Also intransitive. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To examine thoroughly; to question, scrutinize closely; to investigate in detail. Frequently in figurative context. Now archaic and rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > close examination, scrutiny > scrutinize [verb (transitive)]
through-seekOE
gropea1250
to search outa1382
ensearch1382
boltc1386
examinea1387
ransackc1390
ripea1400
search1409
overreach?a1425
considerc1425
perquirec1460
examec1480
peruse?1520
grounda1529
study1528
oversearch1532
perscrute1536
scrute1536
to go over ——1537
scan1548
examinate1560
rifle1566
to consider of1569
excuss1570
ripe1573
sift1573
sift1577
to pry into ——1581
dive1582
rub1591
explore1596
pervestigate1610
dissecta1631
profound1643
circumspect1667
scrutinize1671
perscrutatea1679
introspect1683
rummage1690
reconnoitre1740
scrutinate1742
to look through1744
scrutiny1755
parse1788
gun1819
cat-haul1840
vivisect1876
scour1882
microscope1888
tooth-comb1893
X-ray1896
comb1904
fine-tooth comb1949
c1390 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 153 (MED) Hou schulde a leche þis mon releeue, But ȝif he miȝte ronsake þe wounde?
c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 109 Þere is no man, & he raunsake his conscyens, but he schal fynde..manye [sc. sins] to schryuen him of.
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll.) 211 So anone the kyng lete rensake sir Gawayne anone in his syght and sayde, ‘Fayre cosyn, me ruys of thy hurtys!’
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) vii. l. 120 My witt vnabill is To runsik [v.r. ransik] sic for dreid I say off mys.
1533 T. More Apol. xlii, in Wks. 912 I purpose not to ransake and rebuke either the tone lawe or the tother.
1596 Raigne of Edward III sig. C2 I did not bid thee talk of chastitie, To ransack so the treason of her minde.
1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus (i. 9) 204 Reade then this book..and thou shalt ransacke the affections, yea and consciences of the hearers.
1684 J. Goodman Old Relig. ii. ii. 228 This work of self-reflection and ransacking a mans own heart in secret.
1712 E. Ward Misc. Writings (ed. 2) III. 312 Spirits can incline the Heart of Man, Ransack his Thoughts, and all his Actions scan.
1748 S. Johnson London 109 For arts like these..Explore your secrets with insidious art, Watch the weak hour, and ransack all the heart.
1850 N. Hawthorne Scarlet Let. xx. 268 She ransacked her conscience..and took herself to task..for a thousand imaginary faults.
1872 J. Ruskin Eagle's Nest §66 In astronomy, the fields of the sky have not yet, indeed, been ransacked by the most costly instruments.
1940 T. H. White Ill-made Knight xxv. 161 A few surgeons carefully ransacking the wounds of some unfortunate combatant.
1982 A. MacLean Partisans (1984) i. 8 ‘You ransack my belongings—’... ‘Ransack?’ ‘Carefully examine.’
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come in [verb (intransitive)] > penetrate
wade993
smitec1275
reachc1300
piercea1325
sinkc1330
enterc1350
soundc1374
thirl1398
racea1420
takea1425
penetrate1530
penetre?1533
ransack1562
strike1569
thread1670
raze1677
perforate1769
spit1850
riddle1856
1562 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Æneid ix. Bb iij b The sword..Had ransakt through his ribs.
1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 20v One dramme of Elleborus raunsacks euery vayne.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. v. sig. Gg7 The mightie ill: Which as a victour proud, gan ransack fast His inward partes.
1595 W. Hunnis Recreations 55 The winter cold the heat hath nipt, and ransackt euerie vaine.
1606 N. Baxter Sir Philip Sydneys Ouránia sig. F Where being compact, By the colde circle till it [sc. a cloud] be ransact by Phebus heate: so moystned againe, Is squeezed into a shower of raine.
1651 E. Prestwich tr. Seneca Hippolitus 12 The Wound appeareth not in scars, but pains Within, ransacks the very bones.
1690 J. Barnes in T. Heyrick Misc. Poems (1691) p. viii For Heyrick's boundless and unwearied Mind To this our Upper World can't be confin'd; But ransacks Thetis's Bosom and explores Her Inmost Caverns and her Utmost Shores.
1775 H. Jones & P. Hiffernan Heroine of Cave iii. ii. 27 How luxury with lynx's eye can pierce Thro' Nature's bowels with a vulture-appetite And ransack to the centre for a toy!
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > violent behaviour > treat violently [verb (transitive)] > treat violently or roughly
to lay hands (or hand) on or upon (also in, to)OE
ransacka1400
attamec1430
ruffle1489
tug1493
to shear against the wool1546
rumble1570
finger1572
to pull about1679
misguggle1814
rowdy1825
to jerk around1833
scrag1835
rough1845
hooligan1898
roughhouse1898
savage1899
to rough up1915
to treat 'em rough1918
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) 15825 (MED) By his heued & bi his hare forþ his maister þai drogh & ronsaked [a1400 Vesp. rugged; a1400 Trin. Cambr. lugged] him vnrekenli baþ ouer hil & scogh.
c1425 (c1400) Laud Troy-bk. 7969 (MED) Many a knyȝt fel to the grounde; Ful sorily he hem ransaked.
a. transitive. To seek out (an immaterial thing, such as good or evil). Obsolete. rare.
ΚΠ
a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) lxiii. 6 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1896) II. 193 (MED) Þai ransaked wicnesse and iuel thinge; Þai waned ransakand of ransakinge.
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) lxiii. 7 He that ransakis wickednes fails, bot aman ransakand goed sall cum till heghe hert.
b. transitive. To seek out (a person). Obsolete.
ΚΠ
?c1422 T. Hoccleve Ars Sciendi Mori l. 92 in Minor Poems (1970) i. 181 He gan..In him self put the..liknesse Of a yong man..Whom deeth so ny ransakid had, & soght, Þat he withynne a whyle sholde dye.
c1450 (c1385) G. Chaucer Complaint of Mars 28 Phebus, with his firy torches rede, Ransaked [v.rr. Ransaket hat, Rausaketh had] every lover in hys drede.
a1644 F. Quarles Virgin Widow (1649) ii. i. 33 I'le call ye to Accompt, and if ye bauke me, then I ransake ye out, and make ye understand.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1579
v.a1325