Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

ransack

 - 2 dictionary results

ran⋅sack

  [ran-sak]
Use ransack in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to search thoroughly or vigorously through (a house, receptacle, etc.): They ransacked the house for the missing letter.
2. to search through for plunder; pillage: The enemy ransacked the entire town.
Origin:
1200–50; ME ransaken < ON rannsaka to search, examine (for evidence of crime), equiv. to rann house + saka search (var. of soekja to seek )

Related forms:
ran⋅sack⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To ransack
ran·sack   (rān'sāk')   
tr.v.   ran·sacked, ran·sack·ing, ran·sacks

  1. To search or examine thoroughly.

  2. To search carefully for plunder; pillage.


[Middle English ransaken, from Old Norse rannsaka : rann, house + *saka, to search, seek; see sāg- in Indo-European roots.]
ran'sack'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see ransack on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way