crack

[[t]kræk[/t]]

v. i.

1) to break without separation of parts; become fissured

2) to break with a sudden, sharp sound

3) to make a sudden, sharp sound; snap

4) (of the voice) to break abruptly and discordantly

5) to break down, esp. under severe psychological pressure

6) chem. to decompose by being subjected to heat

7) to cause to make a sudden sharp sound:

to crack a whip[/ex]

8) to break without separation of parts

9) to break into many parts; break open or splinter:

to crack walnuts[/ex]

10) to strike forcefully:

to crack someone on the jaw[/ex]

11) to recount or tell:

to crack jokes[/ex]

12) to cause to make a cracking sound:

to crack one's knuckles[/ex]

13) to damage or weaken

14) to make mentally unsound

15) to make (the voice) harsh or unmanageable

16) to solve:

to crack a murder case[/ex]

17) inf Informal. to break into (a safe, vault, etc.)

18) chem. to subject to the process of cracking, as in the distillation of petroleum

19) inf Informal.

a) to open and drink (a bottle of wine, liquor, etc.)

b) to open slightly, as a window or door

c) to open (a book) in order to study or read

20) phv crack down, to take severe measures, esp. in enforcing laws or regulations (often fol. by on):

to crack down on drug pushers[/ex]

21) phv crack up, Informal.

a) to suffer a mental or emotional breakdown

b) to crash, as in an automobile or airplane

c) to wreck (an automobile, airplane, or other vehicle)

d) to laugh or to cause to laugh unrestrainedly

22) a break without separation of parts; fissure

23) bui a slight opening, as between boards in a floor or wall

24) a sudden, sharp noise

25) the snap of or as of a whip

26) a resounding blow

27) inf a witty or cutting remark

28) a break in the tone of the voice

29) inf a chance; try:

I'd like a crack at that job[/ex]

30) pha highly addictive, purified cocaine in the form of pellets prepared for smoking

31) a shot, as with a rifle

32) archaic a burglar

33) first-rate; excellent:

a crack shot[/ex]

34) with a cracking sound

•

- crack the whip get cracking

Etymology: bef. 1000; MEcrak(k)en(v.), crak(n.), OE cracian to resound; akin to MD krāken, OHG chrahhōn