rackan, reckon Obs. exc. north. dial.
(ˈræk(ə)n, ˈrɛk(ə)n)
Forms: 1 racente, racete, 4 rakente, 5 rakende, racand, 6 raken, racon, 9 rackan; 4 recawnt, 5–6 rekand, 5 rekande, rekanth, -enth, 6 reckand, -en, recon, 7 reckan, 9 reckon.
[OE. racente wk. f. = ON. rekendi (usually in pl. rekendr as if from sing. *rekandi), OHG. rahchinza (Graff): cf. rakenteie. In ME. and later use only north. dial., and chiefly in forms rek-, reckan(d, which app. represent the Scand. rather than the OE. word (but forms with rak-, rack-, prevail in the comb. rackan-crook).]
† 1. A chain, fetter. Obs.
| c 888 K. ælfred Boeth. xvi. §2 Þæt he wearð ᵹebunden mid hira racentum. 971 Blickl. Hom. 43 Hie hine hæfdon ᵹeþreatodne mid fyrenum racentum. a 1050 Liber Scintill. (1889) 59 ᵹebeorscipas swylce racetan..forfleo lusta. 13.. E.E. Allit. P. C. 188 Þer ragnel in his rakentes hym rere of his dremes. a 1400–50 Alexander 5128, I send ȝow..twa hundred & ten..of rekanthes of rede gold. 14.. Sir Beues (MS. N.) 1636 Þe jailers liggen bothe dede & Beues liþ bounde in rakende. |
2. A chain or other apparatus by which cooking vessels are suspended over a fire; now usually a vertical bar pierced with holes, into one of which the pot-hook is inserted.
| 1400 Test. Ebor. (Surtees) I. 268 Unum recawnt de catenis ferreis. 1445 Ibid. II. 194, j. rekand de ferro. 1485 Ibid. III. 300, j pare of coberdis, ij potte-hyngyls, j racand. 1534 in Peacock Eng. Ch. Furniture (1866) 186 Thre racons wt a peire of galows of yron. 1566 Richmond. Wills & Inv. (Surtees) 184, j paire of tongs, j iron scummer and one recken. 1582 Best Farm. Bks. (Surtees) 172 One recon,..one fier shole, one pare of tanges. 1674–91 Ray N.C. Words 58 Reckans, Hooks to hang Pots or Kettles on over the Fire. 1876 Mid-Yorksh. Gloss. s.v., A pot-hook..sliding through a hole in the bottom piece of the reckon. |