Ransacking

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Ransack \Ran"sack\ (r[a^]n"s[a^]k), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
     {Ransacked} (-s[a^]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Ransacking}.] [OE.
     ransaken, Icel. rannsaka to explore, examine; rann a house
     (akin to Goth. razn house, AS. r[ae]sn plank, beam) + the
     root of s[ae]kja to seek, akin to E. seek. See {Seek}, and
     cf. {Rest} repose.]


     1. To search thoroughly; to search every place or part of;
        as, to ransack a house.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              To ransack every corner of their . . . hearts.
                                                    --South.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To plunder; to pillage completely.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Their vow is made
              To ransack Troy.                      --Shak.
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     3. To violate; to ravish; to defiour. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Rich spoil of ransacked chastity.     --Spenser.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  ransacking
       n : a thorough search for something (often causing disorder or
           confusion); "he gave the attic a good rummage but
           couldn't find his skis" [syn: {rummage}]