rek n. & v. --n. 1
the destruction or disablement
esp. of a
ship. 2 a ship
that has suffered a wreck (the shores are strewn
with wrecks). 3 a
greatly damaged or disabled
building,
thing, or
person (had
become a
physical and mental wreck). 4 (foll. by of) a
wretched remnant or disorganized set of
remains. 5
Law goods etc.
cast up by the
sea. --v. 1 tr.
cause the wreck of (a ship etc.). 2 tr. completely
ruin (hopes, chances, etc.). 3 intr.
suffer a wreck. 4 tr. (as wrecked adj.) involved in a
shipwreck (wrecked sailors). 5 intr. US deal with wrecked vehicles etc. øwreck-master an
officer appointed to
take charge of goods etc. cast up
from a wrecked ship. [ME f. AF wrec etc. (cf. VAREC) f. a Gmc root
meaning 'to drive':
cf. WREAK]