hack 1
(hăk)v. hacked, hack·ing, hacks
v.tr.1. To cut or chop with repeated and irregular blows: hacked down the saplings.
2. To make or shape by hitting or chopping with a sharp implement: hacked a trail through the forest.
3. To break up the surface of (soil).
4. a. To alter (a computer program): hacked her text editor to read HTML.
b. To gain access to (a computer file or network) illegally or without authorization: hacked the firm's personnel database.
5. Slang To cut or mutilate as if by hacking: hacked millions off the budget.
6. Slang To cope with successfully; manage: couldn't hack a second job.
v.intr.1. To chop or cut something by hacking.
2. a. To write or refine computer programs skillfully.
b. To use one's skill in computer programming to gain illegal or unauthorized access to a file or network: hacked into the company's intranet.
3. To cough roughly or harshly.
n.1. A rough, irregular cut made by hacking.
2. A tool, such as a hoe, used for hacking.
3. A blow made by hacking.
4. An attempt to hit a baseball; a swing of the bat.
5. a. An instance of gaining unauthorized access to a computer file or network.
b. A program that makes use of existing often proprietary software, adding new features to it.
c. A clever modification or improvement.
6. A rough, dry cough.
hack′a·ble adj.
hack 2
(hăk)n.1. A horse used for riding or driving; a hackney.
2. A worn-out horse for hire; a jade.
3. a. One who undertakes unpleasant or distasteful tasks for money or reward; a hireling.
b. A writer hired to produce routine or commercial writing.
4. A carriage or hackney for hire.
5. Informal a. A taxicab.
v. hacked, hack·ing, hacks
v.tr.1. To let out (a horse) for hire.
2. To make banal or hackneyed with indiscriminate use.
v.intr.1. To drive a taxicab for a living.
2. To work for hire as a writer.
3. To ride on horseback at an ordinary pace.
adj.1. By, characteristic of, or designating routine or commercial writing: hack prose.
2. Hackneyed; banal.
Phrasal Verb: hack out Informal To produce (written material, for example), especially hastily or routinely: hacked out a weekly column.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
hack
(hæk) vb1. (when: intr, usually foll by at or away) to cut or chop (at) irregularly, roughly, or violently
2. to cut and clear (a way, path, etc), as through undergrowth
3. (Rugby) (in sport, esp rugby) to foul (an opposing player) by kicking or striking his shins
4. (Basketball) basketball to commit the foul of striking (an opposing player) on the arm
5. (Pathology) (intr) to cough in short dry spasmodic bursts
6. (Journalism & Publishing) (tr) to reduce or cut (a story, article, etc) in a damaging way
7. (Computer Science) to manipulate a computer program skilfully, esp, to gain unauthorized access to another computer system
8. (tr) slang to tolerate; cope with: I joined the army but I couldn't hack it.
9. hack to bits to damage severely: his reputation was hacked to bits.
n10. a cut, chop, notch, or gash, esp as made by a knife or axe
11. (Agriculture) any tool used for shallow digging, such as a mattock or pick
12. a chopping blow
13. (Pathology) a dry spasmodic cough
14. (Rugby) a kick on the shins, as in rugby
15. a wound from a sharp kick
[Old English haccian; related to Old Frisian hackia, Middle High German hacken]
hack
(hæk) n1. (Horse Training, Riding & Manège) a horse kept for riding or (more rarely) for driving
2. (Horse Training, Riding & Manège) an old, ill-bred, or overworked horse
3. (Horse Training, Riding & Manège) a horse kept for hire
4. (Horse Training, Riding & Manège) Brit a country ride on horseback
5. a drudge
6. (Journalism & Publishing) a person who produces mediocre literary or journalistic work
7. (Automotive Engineering) Also called: hackney US a coach or carriage that is for hire
8. (Automotive Engineering)
informal a. a cab driver
b. a taxi
vb9. (Horse Training, Riding & Manège) Brit to ride (a horse) cross-country for pleasure
10. (Horse Training, Riding & Manège) (tr) to let (a horse) out for hire
11. (Journalism & Publishing) (tr) informal to write (an article) as or in the manner of a hack
12. (Automotive Engineering) (intr) informal US to drive a taxi
adj (prenominal) banal, mediocre, or unoriginal: hack writing.
[C17: short for hackney]
hack
(hæk) n1. (Agriculture) a rack used for fodder for livestock
2. (Falconry) a board on which meat is placed for a hawk
3. (Building) a pile or row of unfired bricks stacked to dry
vb (
tr)
4. (Agriculture) to place (fodder) in a hack
5. (Building) to place (bricks) in a hack
[C16: variant of hatch2]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
hack1
(hæk)
v.t. 1. to cut, notch, slice, chop, or sever with irregular, often heavy blows (often fol. by up or down): to hack down trees.
2. to clear (a road, path, etc.) by cutting away vines, trees, or other growth.
3. to damage or injure by crude, harsh, or insensitive treatment, as a piece of writing.
4. to reduce or cut ruthlessly; trim: to hack a budget severely.
5. Slang. to deal or cope with; handle; tolerate: I can't hack all this commuting.
v.i. 6. to make rough cuts or notches.
7. to cough harshly, usu. in short and repeated spasms.
n. 8. a cut, gash, or notch.
9. a tool for hacking, as an ax or pick.
10. an act or instance of hacking; a cutting blow.
11. a short, rasping dry cough.
Idioms: hack it, Slang. to cope successfully with something.
[1150–1200; Middle English hacken; compare Old English tōhaccian to hack to pieces, c. Middle Low German, Middle Dutch, Middle High German hacken]
hack2
(hæk)
n. 1. a person, esp. a professional, who surrenders individual independence, integrity, belief, etc., in return for money or other reward: a political hack.
2. a writer whose services are for hire.
3. a person who produces banal or mediocre work or who works at a dull or routine task.
4. a horse kept for common hire or adapted for general work, esp. ordinary riding.
5. a saddle horse.
6. an old or worn-out horse; jade.
7. a coach or carriage kept for hire; hackney.
8. a. a taxicab.
b. a cabdriver.
v.t. 9. to make a hack of; let out for hire.
10. to make trite or stale by frequent use; hackney.
v.i. 11. to drive a taxi.
12. to ride or drive on the road at an ordinary pace.
adj. 13. hired as a hack; of a hired sort: a hack writer; hack work.
14. hackneyed; trite; banal: hack writing.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.