Ransack

Pronunciation

• Homophones: RANSAC

Origin

From Middle English ransaken, from Old Norse rannsakka, from rann ("house") + saka ("search"); probably influenced by sack

Full definition of ransack

Verb

1. (transitive) To loot or pillage. See also sack.
• ShakespeareTheir vow is made
  To ransack Troy.
2. (transitive) To make a vigorous and thorough search of (a place, person) with a view to stealing something, especially when leaving behind a state of disarray.to ransack a house for valuables
• Southto ransack every corner of their ... hearts
3. (archaic) To examine carefully; to investigate.
• 1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book XIII:Than com there an olde monke whych somtyme had bene a knyght, and behylde Sir Melyas; and anone he ransaked hym, and than he seyde unto Sir Galahad, ‘I shall heale hym of hys play, by the grace of God, within the terme of seven wykes.’
4. To violate; to ravish; to deflower.
• SpenserRich spoil of ransacked chastity.