American Dictionary of the English Language

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Pack


PACK, noun [See the Verb.]

1. A bundle of any thing inclosed in a cover or bound fast with cords; a bale; as a pack of goods or cloth. The soldier bears a pack on his back.

2. A burden or load; as a pack of sorrows.

3. A number of cards, or the number used in games; so called from being inclosed together.

4. A number of hounds or dogs, hunting or kept together, that is, a crowd or assemblage united.

5. A number of persons united in a bad design or practice; as a pack of thieves or knaves.

6. A great number crowded together; as a pack of troubles. [Not used.]

7. A loose or lewd person. [Not used.]

PACK, verb transitive [Latin pango, pactum, pactus; impingo, compingo.]

1. To place and press together; to place in close order; as, to pack goods in a box or chest.

2. To put together and bind fast; as, to pack any thing for carriage with cords or straps.

3. To put in close order with salt intermixed; as, to pack meat or fish in barrels.

4. To send in haste.

5. To put together, as cards, in such a manner as to secure the game; to put together in sorts with a fraudulent design, as cards; hence, to unite persons iniquitously, with a view to some private interest; as, to pack a jury, that is, to select persons for a jury who may favor a party; to pack a parliament; to pack an assembly of bishops.

PACK, verb intransitive To be pressed or close; as, the goods pack well.

1. To close; to shut.

2. To depart in haste; with off.

Poor Stella must pack off to town.

3. To unite in bad measures; to confederate for ill purposes; to join in collusion.

Go, pack with him.