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n. 1. A device consisting of an oval or circular frame with a tight interlaced network of strings and a handle, used to strike a ball or shuttlecock in various games. 2. A wooden paddle, as one used in table tennis. 3. A snowshoe. [Middle English raket, a kind of handball, from Old French rachette, palm of the hand, racket, from Medieval Latin rascheta, palm, from Arabic rāḥat (al-yad), palm (of the hand), bound form of rāḥa; see rḥ in the Appendix of Semitic roots.]  (click for a larger image) racket1top: tennis and racquetball rackets bottom: squash racket |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. 1. A loud distressing noise. See Synonyms at noise. 2. a. A dishonest or fraudulent business or practice. b. often rackets An illegal moneymaking activity, especially one controlled by organized crime. 3. a. An easy, profitable means of livelihood. b. Slang A business or occupation. intr.v. rack·et·ed, rack·et·ing, rack·ets 1. To make or move with a loud distressing noise. 2. To lead an active social life. [Origin unknown.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
