Definitions for: Ransack


[v] search thoroughly; "They combed the area for the missing child"
[v] steal goods; take as spoils; "During the earthquake people looted the stores that were deserted by their owners"



Webster (1913) Definition: Ran"sack, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ransacked; p. pr. &
vb. n. Ransacking.] [OE. ransaken, Icel, rannsaka to
explore, examine; rann a house (akin to Goth. razn house, AS.
r[ae]sn plank, beam) + the root of s[ae]kja to seek, akin to
E. seek. See Seek, and cf. Rest repose.]
1. To search thoroughly; to search every place or part of;
as, to ransack a house.

To ransack every corner of their . . . hearts.
--South.

2. To plunder; to pillage completely.

Their vow is made To ransack Troy. --Shak.

3. To violate; to ravish; to defiour. [Obs.]

Rich spoil of ransacked chastity. --Spenser.


Ran"sack, v. i.
To make a thorough search.

To ransack in the tas [heap] of bodies dead. --Chaucer.


Ran"sack, n.
The act of ransacking, or state of being ransacked; pillage.
[R.]

Even your father's house Shall not be free fromransack.
--J. Webster.

Synonyms: comb, despoil, foray, loot, pillage, plunder, reave, rifle, strip

See Also: deplume, displume, search, take

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