hack

v. t. 1. To use as a hack; to let out for hire. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To use frequently and indiscriminately, so as to render trite and commonplace. [ 1913 Webster ]

The word “remarkable” has been so hacked of late. J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. (Football) To kick the shins of (an opposing payer). [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. i. To cough faintly and frequently, or in a short, broken manner; as, a hacking cough. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Hacked p. pr. & vb. n. Hacking. ] [ OE. hakken, AS. haccian; akin to D. hakken, G. hacken, Dan. hakke, Sw. hacka, and perh. to E. hew. Cf. Hew to cut, Haggle. ] 1. To cut irregulary, without skill or definite purpose; to notch; to mangle by repeated strokes of a cutting instrument; as, to hack a post. [ 1913 Webster ]

My sword hacked like a handsaw. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: To mangle in speaking. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Computers) To program (a computer) for pleasure or compulsively; especially, to try to defeat the security systems and gain unauthorized access to a computer. [ PJC ]

4. To bear, physically or emotionally; as, he left the job because he couldn't hack the pressure. [ Colloq. ] [ PJC ]

a. Hackneyed; hired; mercenary. Wakefield. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hack writer, a hack; one who writes for hire. “A vulgar hack writer.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A notch; a cut. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An implement for cutting a notch; a large pick used in breaking stone. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A hacking; a catch in speaking; a short, broken cough. Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Football) A kick on the shins, or a cut from a kick. T. Hughes. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Computers) A clever computer program or routine within a program to accomplish an objective in a non-obvious fashion. [ PJC ]

6. (Computers) A quick and inelegant, though functional solution to a programming problem. [ PJC ]

7. A taxicab. [ informal ] [ PJC ]

Hack saw, a handsaw having a narrow blade stretched in an iron frame, for cutting metal. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Shortened fr. hackney. See Hackney. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A horse, hackneyed or let out for common hire; also, a horse used in all kinds of work, or a saddle horse, as distinguished from hunting and carriage horses. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A coach or carriage let for hire; a hackney coach; formerly, a coach with two seats inside facing each other; now, usually a taxicab. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

On horse, on foot, in hacks and gilded chariots. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Hence: The driver of a hack; a taxi driver; a hackman. [ PJC ]

3. A bookmaker who hires himself out for any sort of literary work; an overworked man; a drudge. [ 1913 Webster ]

Here lies poor Ned Purdon, from misery freed,
Who long was a bookseller's hack. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A procuress. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To ride or drive as one does with a hack horse; to ride at an ordinary pace, or over the roads, as distinguished from riding across country or in military fashion. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]