1. To seek thoroughly; to seek each
seat or
part of; as, to
ransack a home. "To
ransack each corner of their . . . Hearts." (South)
2. To plunder; to pillage completely. "Their vow is made To
ransack Troy." (Shak)
3. To violate; to ravish; to defiour. "Rich
spoil of ransacked chastity." (Spenser)
Origin: OE. Ransaken, Icel, rannsaka to explore, examine; rann a
home (akin to Goth. Razn home, AS. Raesn plank, beam) + the
root of saekja to search,
akin to E. Search. See Search, and cf. Rest repose.
Source: Websters Vocabulary