Ran"sack (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ransacked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Ransacking.] [OE. ransaken, Icel, rannsaka to explore, examine; rann a house (akin to Goth. razn house, AS. raesn plank, beam) + the root of saekja 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.
© Webster 1913.
Ran"sack, v. i.
To make a thorough search.
To ransack in the tas [heap] of bodies dead.
Chaucer.
© Webster 1913.
Ran"sack, n.
The act of ransacking, or state of being ransacked; pillage.
[R.]
Even your father's house
Shall not be free fromransack.
J. Webster.
© Webster 1913.