pack

I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English, of Low German or Dutch origin; akin to Middle Low German & Middle Dutch pak pack Date: 13th century 1. a. a bundle arranged for convenience in carrying especially on the back b. a group or pile of related objects c. (1) a number of individual components packaged as a unit <

a pack of gum

> (2) container (3) a compact unitized assembly to perform a specific function (4) a stack of magnetic disks in a container for use as a storage device 2. a. the contents of a bundle b. a large amount or number ; heap <

a pack of lies

> c. a full set of playing cards 3. a. an act or instance of packing b. a method of packing 4. a. a set of persons with a common interest ; clique b. an organized unit (as of Cub Scouts) 5. a. (1) a group of domesticated animals trained to hunt or run together (2) a group of often predatory animals of the same kind <

a wolf pack

> (3) a large group of individuals massed together (as in a race) b. wolf pack 6. a concentrated or compacted mass (as of snow or ice) 7. wet absorbent material for therapeutic application to the body 8. a. a cosmetic paste for the face b. an application or treatment of oils or creams for conditioning the scalp and hair 9. material used in packing II. verb Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. to make into a compact bundle b. to fill completely <

fans packed the stadium

> c. to fill with packing <

pack a joint in a pipe

> d. to load with a pack <

pack a mule

> e. to put in a protective container <

goods packed for shipment

> 2. a. to crowd together b. to increase the density of ; compress 3. a. to cause or command to go without ceremony <

packed him off to school

> b. to bring to an end ; give up — used with up or in <

might pack up the assignment

> — used especially in the phrase pack it in 4. to gather into tight formation ; make a pack of (as hounds) 5. to cover or surround with a pack 6. a. to transport on foot or on the back of an animal <

pack a canoe overland

> b. to wear or carry as equipment <

pack a gun

> c. to be supplied or equipped with ; possess <

a storm packing hurricane winds

> d. to make or be capable of making (an impact) <

a book that packs a man-sized punch — C. J. Rolo

> intransitive verb 1. a. to go away without ceremony ; depart <

simply packed up and left

> b. quit, stop — used with up or in <

why don't you pack in, before you kill yourself — Millard Lampell

> 2. a. to stow goods and equipment for transportation b. to be suitable for packing <

a knit dress packs well

> 3. a. to assemble in a group ; congregate b. to crowd together 4. to become built up or compacted in a layer or mass <

the ore packed into a stony mass

> 5. a. to carry goods or equipment b. to travel with one's baggage (as by horse) • packability noun • packable adjective III. transitive verb Etymology: obsolete pack to make a secret agreement Date: 1587 1. to influence the composition of so as to bring about a desired result <

pack a jury

> 2. archaic to arrange (the cards in a pack) so as to cheat IV. adjective Etymology: perhaps from obsolete pack to make a secret agreement Date: 1701 chiefly Scottish intimate