catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Pack \Pack\, n. [Akin to D. pak, G. pack, Dan. pakke, Sw. packa,
     Icel. pakki, Gael. & Ir. pac, Arm. pak. Cf. Packet.]
     [1913 Webster]
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: ``In England, by a pack of meal is meant 280 lbs.; of
           wool, 240 lbs.'' --McElrath.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     4. A large area of floating pieces of ice driven together
        more or less closely. --Kane.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     6. [Prob. the same word; but cf. AS. p[=ae]can to deceive.] A
        loose, lewd, or worthless person. See Baggage. [Obs.]
        --Skelton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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 (Zo["o]l.), 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.
        [1913 Webster]

  Pack \Pack\, n.
     1. (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.
  
     2. (Rugby Football) The forwards who compose one half of the
        scrummage; also, the scrummage.
  
     Pack and prime road or way, a pack road or bridle way.