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Dictionary Language resources

rake4

Pronunciation: /reɪk/

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Definition of rake

noun

British

a number of railway carriages or wagons coupled together: we have converted one locomotive and a rake of coaches to air braking

Origin:

early 20th century (originally Scots and northern English): from Old Norse rák 'stripe, streak', from an alteration of rek- 'to drive'. The word was in earlier use in the senses 'path, groove' and 'vein of ore'