Past tense of 'rack': to cause severe pain or distress, or to arrange things on a framework.
From Middle Dutch 'rec' or Old Norse 'rekkja' meaning 'to stretch.' Originally referred to the torture instrument called a 'rack' that stretched victims; now means any intense suffering.
Being 'racked with guilt' or 'racked with pain' comes from the actual medieval torture device called 'the rack' that would stretch a person's body. It's one of those words where the dark history still echoes in how we use it today!
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