Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - rake

~1 n 1 a gardening tool with a row of metal teeth at the end of a long handle, used for making soil level, gathering up dead leaves etc 2 old-fashioned a man who behaves in an unacceptable way, having many sexual relationships, drinking too much alcohol etc 3 a tool used by a croupier for gathering in the money at a table where games are played for money 4 the angle of a slope  (the rake of the stage) ~2 v 1 to move a rake across a surface in order to make the soil level, gather dead leaves etc + over/up  (She raked over the soil to loosen the weeds.) 2 to search a place very carefully for something + through/around/abou  (I've been raking through my drawers looking for those tickets.) 3 to point something such as a gun, camera, or strong light, so that it covers a wide area, by slowly moving it from one side to another  (The searchlight raked the open ground around the prison.) 4 rake a fire/ashes/coals to push a stick backwards and forwards in a fire in order to remove ashes 5 rake your fingers/nails to pull your fingers or nails through something or across a surface  (Ken raked his fingers through his hair.) rake sth in phr v informal to earn a lot of money without trying very hard  (Lou's been raking in the dollars since he opened his business. | rake it in)  (If someone opened a burger bar, they'd really rake it in.) rake sth up phr v informal 1 also rake together to collect things or people together for a purpose, but with difficulty  (Karen has had real problems raking up enough players for the volleyball game. | Between them they could only rake together $300.) 2 to talk about something from the past that people would prefer you not to mention  (Don't rake up that old quarrel again!)