Pack \Pack\, n. [Akin to D. pak, G. pack, Dan. pakke, Sw. packa,
Icel. pakki, Gael. & Ir. pac, Arm. pak. Cf. Packet.]
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1. A bundle made up and prepared to be carried; especially, a
bundle to be carried on the back; a load for an animal; a
bale, as of goods. --Piers Plowman.
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2. [Cf. Peck, n.]
A number or quantity equal to the
contents of a pack; hence, a multitude; a burden. "A pack
of sorrows." "A pack of blessings." --Shak.
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Note: "In England, by a pack of meal is meant 280 lbs.; of
wool, 240 lbs." --McElrath.
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3. A group or quantity of connected or similar things; as, a
pack of lies; specifically:
(a) A full set of playing cards; a deck; also, the
assortment used in a particular game; as, a euchre
pack.
(b) A number of wolves, hounds or dogs, hunting or kept
together; as, a wolf pack.
(c) A number of persons associated or leagued in a bad
design or practice; a gang; as, a pack of thieves or
knaves.
(d) A shook of cask staves.
(e) A bundle of sheet-iron plates for rolling
simultaneously.
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4. A large area of floating pieces of ice driven together
more or less closely. --Kane.
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5. An envelope, or wrapping, of sheets used in hydropathic
practice, called dry pack, wet pack, cold pack,
etc., according to the method of treatment.
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6. [Prob. the same word; but cf. AS. p[=ae]can to deceive.]
A
loose, lewd, or worthless person. See Baggage. [Obs.]
--Skelton.
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7. (Med.) In hydropathic practice, a wrapping of blankets or
sheets called dry pack, wet pack, cold pack, etc.,
according to the condition of the blankets or sheets used,
put about a patient to give him treatment; also, the fact
or condition of being so treated.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
8. (Rugby Football) The forwards who compose one half of the
scrummage; also, the scrummage.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
Pack animal, an animal, as a horse, mule, etc., employed in
carrying packs.
Pack and prime road or Pack and prime way, a pack road or
bridle way.
Pack cloth, a coarse cloth, often duck, used in covering
packs or bales.
Pack horse. See Pack animal (above).
Pack ice. See def. 4, above.
Pack moth (Zool.), a small moth (Anacampsis sarcitella)
which, in the larval state, is very destructive to wool
and woolen fabrics.
Pack needle, a needle for sewing with pack thread. --Piers
Plowman.
Pack saddle, a saddle made for supporting the load on a
pack animal. --Shak.
Pack staff, a staff for supporting a pack; a peddler's
staff.
Pack train (Mil.), a troop of pack animals.
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Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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