pack

1. a complete set of similar things, esp a set of 52 playing cards

2. a group of animals of the same kind, esp hunting animals

3. Rugby the forwards of a team or both teams collectively, as in a scrum or in rucking

4. a small package, carton, or container, used to retail commodities, esp foodstuffs, cigarettes, etc.

5. short for pack ice

6. Med

a. a sheet or blanket, either damp or dry, for wrapping about the body, esp for its soothing effect

b. a material such as cotton or gauze for temporarily filling a bodily cavity, esp to control bleeding

7. a parachute folded and ready for use

8. Computing another name for deck

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

pack

[pak]

(computer science)

To reduce the amount of storage required to hold information by changing the method of encoding the data.

(industrial engineering)

To provide protection for an article or group of articles against physical damage during shipment; packing is accomplished by placing articles in a shipping container, and blocking, bracing, and cushioning them when necessary, or by strapping the articles or containers on a pallet or skid.

(mining engineering)

A pillar built in the waste area or roadside within a mine to support the mine roof; constructed from loose stones and dirt.

Waste rock or timber used to support the roof or underground workings or used to fill excavations. Also known as fill.

(oceanography)

pack ice

(ordnance)

Part of a parachute assembly in which the canopy and shroud lines are folded and carried. Also known as pack assembly.

pack

(1) To compress data in order to save space. Unpack refers to decompressing data. See data compression.

(2) An instruction that converts a decimal number into a packed decimal format. Unpack converts a packed decimal number into decimal.

(3) In database programs, a command that removes records that have been marked for deletion.

Copyright © 1981-2025 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

Let him run with the Pack, and be entered with the others.

Let him run with the Pack. Where is the bull, Bagheera?

"Truly, a help in time of need; for none can hope to lead the Pack forever," said Bagheera.

He was thinking of the time that comes to every leader of every pack when his strength goes from him and he gets feebler and feebler, till at last he is killed by the wolves and a new leader comes up--to be killed in his turn.

And that is how Mowgli was entered into the Seeonee Wolf Pack for the price of a bull and on Baloo's good word.

He took his place at the Council Rock, too, when the Pack met, and there he discovered that if he stared hard at any wolf, the wolf would be forced to drop his eyes, and so he used to stare for fun.

Shere Khan was always crossing his path in the jungle, for as Akela grew older and feebler the lame tiger had come to be great friends with the younger wolves of the Pack, who followed him for scraps, a thing Akela would never have allowed if he had dared to push his authority to the proper bounds.

Mowgli would laugh and answer: "I have the Pack and I have thee; and Baloo, though he is so lazy, might strike a blow or two for my sake.

Baloo knows it; I know it; the Pack know it; and even the foolish, foolish deer know.

Many of the wolves that looked thee over when thou wast brought to the Council first are old too, and the young wolves believe, as Shere Khan has taught them, that a man-cub has no place with the Pack. In a little time thou wilt be a man."

View in context

"Here's a bit o' net, then, for you to look at before I tie up my pack, just for you to see what my trade's come to,--spotted and sprigged, you see, beautiful but yallow,--'s been lyin' by an' got the wrong color.

Now then, sir," continued Bob, shouldering his pack, "if you please, I'll be glad to go and see about makin' Mr.

View in context