rack-rent

[ rak-rent ]

noun

1. Also rack rent. rent equal to or nearly equal to the full annual value of a property.

verb (used with object)

1. to exact the highest possible rent for.
2. to demand rack-rent from.

rack-rent

noun

1. a high rent that annually equals or nearly equals the value of the property upon which it is charged
2. any extortionate rent

verb

1. to charge an extortionate rent for (property, land, etc)

Derived Forms

• ˈrack-ˌrenter, noun

Other Words From

• rack-renter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rack-rent¹

First recorded in 1600–10

Word History and Origins

Origin of rack-rent¹

C17: from rack ¹(sense 12) + rent ¹

Example Sentences

Another common term is found in the word Head-rent, of which Gladstonians know no more than of Rack-rent.

From Project Gutenberg

I won't ask a rack rent, I promise you, and I suppose I could distrain on these tea things and the kettle if it were not paid up.

From Project Gutenberg

Will they rack-rent their tenants in such a manner as to deprive them of the means of improving the estate?

From Project Gutenberg

There is the same system of rack-rent in the one as in the other, and the same uncertainty in the rate of the Government demand.

From Project Gutenberg

He and his successors contracted to pay a full or rack-rent of xijd.

From Project Gutenberg