Ran"sack (-săk), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Ransacked (-săkt);
p. pr. & vb. n. Ransacking.] [OE.
ransaken, Icel. rannsaka to explore, examine;
rann a house (akin to Goth. razn house, AS.
ræsn plank, beam) + the root of sækja 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.
To ransack every corner of their . . .
hearts.
South.
2. To plunder; to pillage
completely.
Their vow is made
To ransack Troy.
Shak.
3. To violate; to ravish; to defiour.
[Obs.]
Rich spoil of ransacked chastity.
Spenser.
Ran"sack, v. i. To make a thorough
search.
To ransack in the tas [heap] of bodies
dead.
Chaucer.
Ran"sack, n. The act of ransacking,
or state of being ransacked; pillage. [R.]
Even your father's house
Shall not be free from ransack.
J.
Webster.
