rax1
/raks/English regional (northern ) and Scottish
noun
A stretch, an act of stretching; a strain, a wrench.
Origin
Late 18th century. From rax.
rax2
/raks/Chiefly Scottish
verb
1Refl. To stretch oneself.
2 [no object] To become longer or broader, especially by being pulled; to stretch, expand.
- In early use in references to death by hanging..
3 [with object] To extend by pulling; to stretch. to rax (a person's) crag (also neck): to hang (a person).
4 [no object] To extend a hand or arm; to reach out. Also figurative. Frequently with adverbs, as for, over, etc.
5 [with object] To stretch out, extend (a part of the body); to crane (one's neck), raise (one's head).
6 [with object] To strain, sprain (a part of the body). Also refl. and without object with reflexive meaning: to strain or exert oneself.
7To rack (one's brain, etc.).
8In pass.: to be racked with pain or a disease.
Origin
Old English (in an earlier sense). Apparently the reflex of a Germanic derivative formation, either from the same Germanic base as rech, or from the same Germanic base as reach.