Ran·sack v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ransacked p. pr. & vb. n. Ransacking.]
1. To search thoroughly; to search every place or part of; as, to ransack a house.
To ransack every 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. [Obs.]
Rich spoil of ransacked chastity. --Spenser.
ransacking
n : a thorough search for something (often causing disorder or
confusion); "he gave the attic a good rummage but
couldn't find his skis" [syn: rummage]