rack-rent

American  

[rak-rent] / ˈrækˌrɛnt /

noun

1. Also rack rent rent equal to or nearly equal to the full annual value of a property.

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verb (used with object)

1. to exact the highest possible rent for.

2. to demand rack-rent from.

rack-rent British  

noun

1. a high rent that annually equals or nearly equals the value of the property upon which it is charged

2. any extortionate rent

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verb

1. to charge an extortionate rent for (property, land, etc)

Other Word Forms

• rack-renter noun

Etymology

Origin of rack-rent

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

Thus, how miserable is the condition of the peasants in Russia, of the Irish "rack-rent" tenants!

From Socialism and the Social Movement in the 19th Century by Sombart, Werner

Those who carry snuff-boxes are only his tenants; and hold them merely by virtue of a rack-rent, under him.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, December 11, 1841 by Various

"It is a serious thing," said Oldacre, "for farmers at rack-rent to begin building houses for their poor; but I am against it, for the sake of the poor themselves."

From Christmas Stories by Berens, Edward

There is the same system of rack-rent in the one as in the other, and the same uncertainty in the rate of the Government demand.

From A Journey through the Kingdom of Oude, Volumes I & II by Sleeman, William

What moral conviction is expressed in the condemnation of usurious interest and of rack-rent?

From The Social Principles of Jesus by Rauschenbusch, Walter