at rack and manger

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word at rack and manger. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word at rack and manger, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say at rack and manger in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word at rack and manger you have here. The definition of the word at rack and manger will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofat rack and manger, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Adverb

at rack and manger (not comparable)

  1. (idiomatic, archaic) plentifully and at another's expense.
    • 1742, Roger North, The Life of the Right Honourable Francis North :
      At that Time, his Lordship took his Brother into his Family, and a Coach and Servants aſſign'd him out of his Equipages; and all at Rack and Manger, requiring only 200 l. a Year
    • 1843 April, Thomas Carlyle, Past and Present, American edition, Boston, Mass.: Charles C Little and James Brown, published 1843, →OCLC, (please specify |book=I or IV, or the page):
      tearing out the bowels of St. Edmundsbury Convent (its larders namely and cellars) in the most ruinous way, by living at rack and manger there.
    • 1859, Henry Morley, Memoirs of Bartholomew Fair:
      For we are not as other hypocrites, reprobates, and enemies of the state, but unto us thou hast given, from them thou hast taken, (blessed be thy name A Lard) they are at rack and manger, but we are at full meal

References