\Pack\, n.
1. (Med.) In hydropathic practice, a wrapping of blankets or
   sheets called {dry pack}, {wet pack}, {cold pack}, etc.,
   according to the condition of the blankets or sheets used,
   put about a patient to give him treatment; also, the fact
   or condition of being so treated.
2. (Rugby Football) The forwards who compose one half of the
   scrummage; also, the scrummage.
{Pack and prime} {road or way}, a pack road or bridle way.

\Pack\, v. t.
To cover, envelop, or protect tightly with something; specif.
(Hydropathy), to envelop in a wet or dry sheet, within
numerous coverings.

\Pack\, n. [Cf. {Pact}.]
A pact. [Obs.] --Daniel.

\Pack\, n. [Akin to D. pak, G. pack, Dan. pakke, Sw. packa,
Icel. pakki, Gael. & Ir. pac, Arm. pak. Cf. {Packet}.]
1. A bundle made up and prepared to be carried; especially, a
   bundle to be carried on the back; a load for an animal; a
   bale, as of goods. --Piers Plowman.
2. [Cf. {Peck}, n.] A number or quantity equal to the
   contents of a pack; hence, a multitude; a burden. ``A pack
   of sorrows.'' ``A pack of blessings.'' --Shak.
Note: ``In England, by a pack of meal is meant 280 lbs.; of
      wool, 240 lbs.'' --McElrath.
3. A number or quantity of connected or similar things; as:
   (a) A full set of playing cards; also, the assortment used
       in a particular game; as, a euchre pack.
   (b) A number of hounds or dogs, hunting or kept together.
   (c) A number of persons associated or leagued in a bad
       design or practice; a gang; as, a pack of thieves or
       knaves.
   (d) A shook of cask staves.
   (e) A bundle of sheet-iron plates for rolling
       simultaneously.
4. A large area of floating pieces of ice driven together
   more or less closely. --Kane.
5. An envelope, or wrapping, of sheets used in hydropathic
   practice, called dry pack, wet pack, cold pack, etc.,
   according to the method of treatment.
6. [Prob. the same word; but cf. AS. p?can to deceive.] A
   loose, lewd, or worthless person. See {Baggage}. [Obs.]
   --Skelton.
{Pack animal}, an animal, as a horse, mule, etc., employed in
   carrying packs.
{Pack cloth}, a coarse cloth, often duck, used in covering
   packs or bales.
{Pack horse}. See {Pack animal} (above).
{Pack ice}. See def. 4, above.
{Pack moth} (Zo["o]l.), a small moth ({Anacampsis
   sarcitella}) which, in the larval state, is very
   destructive to wool and woolen fabrics.
{Pack needle}, a needle for sewing with pack thread. --Piers
   Plowman.
{Pack saddle}, a saddle made for supporting the load on a
   pack animal. --Shak.
{Pack staff}, a staff for supporting a pack; a peddler's
   staff.
{Pack thread}, strong thread or small twine used for tying
   packs or parcels.
{Pack train} (Mil.), a troop of pack animals.

\Pack\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Packed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Packing}.] [Akin to D. pakken, G. packen, Dan. pakke, Sw.
packa, Icel. pakka. See {Pack}, n.]
1. To make a pack of; to arrange closely and securely in a
   pack; hence, to place and arrange compactly as in a pack;
   to press into close order or narrow compass; as to pack
   goods in a box; to pack fish.
         Strange materials packed up with wonderful art.
                                               --Addison.
         Where . . . the bones Of all my buried ancestors are
         packed.                               --Shak.
2. To fill in the manner of a pack, that is, compactly and
   securely, as for transportation; hence, to fill closely or
   to repletion; to stow away within; to cause to be full; to
   crowd into; as, to pack a trunk; the play, or the
   audience, packs the theater.
3. To sort and arrange (the cards) in a pack so as to secure
   the game unfairly.
   And mighty dukes pack cards for half a crown. --Pope.
4. Hence: To bring together or make up unfairly and
   fraudulently, in order to secure a certain result; as, to
   pack a jury or a causes.
         The expected council was dwindling into . . . a
         packed assembly of Italian bishops.   --Atterbury.
5. To contrive unfairly or fraudulently; to plot. [Obs.]
         He lost life . . . upon a nice point subtilely
         devised and packed by his enemies.    --Fuller.
6. To load with a pack; hence, to load; to encumber; as, to
   pack a horse.
         Our thighs packed with wax, our mouths with honey.
                                               --Shack.
7. To cause to go; to send away with baggage or belongings;
   esp., to send away peremptorily or suddenly; -- sometimes
   with off; as, to pack a boy off to school.
         He . . . must not die
         Till George be packed with post horse up to heaven.
                                               --Shak.
8. To transport in a pack, or in the manner of a pack (i. e.,
   on the backs of men or beasts). [Western U.S.]
9. (Hydropathy) To envelop in a wet or dry sheet, within
   numerous coverings. See {Pack}, n., 5.
10. (Mech.) To render impervious, as by filling or
    surrounding with suitable material, or to fit or adjust
    so as to move without giving passage to air, water, or
    steam; as, to pack a joint; to pack the piston of a steam
    engine.

\Pack\, v. i.
1. To make up packs, bales, or bundles; to stow articles
   securely for transportation.
2. To admit of stowage, or of making up for transportation or
   storage; to become compressed or to settle together, so as
   to form a compact mass; as, the goods pack conveniently;
   wet snow packs well.
3. To gather in flocks or schools; as, the grouse or the
   perch begin to pack. [Eng.]
4. To depart in haste; -- generally with off or away.
         Poor Stella must pack off to town     --Swift.
         You shall pack, And never more darken my doors
         again.                                --Tennyson.
5. To unite in bad measures; to confederate for ill purposes;
   to join in collusion. [Obs.] ``Go pack with him.'' --Shak.
{To send packing}, to drive away; to send off roughly or in
   disgrace; to dismiss unceremoniously. ``The parliament . .
   . presently sent him packing.'' --South.