Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
RACK, n.6 A dissolute, unprincipled young man, a wag. Prob. a form of Eng. rake.
Hence deriv. rackish, rakish.Sc. 1712 R. Wodrow Analecta (M.C.) II. 67:
Mr Secretary St Johns is one of the leudest men in England, and rackish to a degree.Sc. 1724 Ib. III. 129:
Lately, at the dismissing of the Synod, a company of these young racks were heard say, “O! what a smell of the Gospell this day!”
