A more thorough explanation:

Definition: An instrument of torture used to stretch a person slowly, typically to extract a confession or information from someone accused of a crime.

Example: In medieval times, the rack was a common form of punishment used to extract confessions from prisoners. The victim would be tied to the rack and then stretched until their joints were dislocated or even torn from their sockets.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the rack was used as a tool of torture to extract information or confessions from prisoners. The victim would be tied to the rack and then stretched until they were in unbearable pain. This form of torture was used to intimidate and coerce prisoners into confessing to crimes they may or may not have committed.