rake

name

1. A surname.
2. A village in Rogate parish, Chichester district, West Sussex, England (OS grid ref SU8027).
3. A small town in Winnebago County, Iowa, United States, named after a pioneer citizen.

noun

Etymology: The noun is a clipping of rakehell (“(archaic) lewd or wanton person, debauchee, rake”), from to rake (out) hell (“to search through hell thoroughly”), in the sense of a person so evil or immoral that they cannot be found in hell even after an extensive search: see rake (“to search through (thoroughly)”). The verb is derived from the noun.

1. A person (usually a man) who is stylish but habituated to hedonistic and immoral conduct.

   “We have now and then rakes in the habit of Roman senators, and grave politicians in the dress of rakes. The misfortune of the thing is, that people dress themselves in what they have a mind to be, and not what they are fit for.”

   “For honest men delight will take, / To shew you favour for his sake, / Will flatter you; and Fool and Rake / Your steps pursue: / And of your Father's name will make / A snare for you.”

verb

Etymology: The noun is a clipping of rakehell (“(archaic) lewd or wanton person, debauchee, rake”), from to rake (out) hell (“to search through hell thoroughly”), in the sense of a person so evil or immoral that they cannot be found in hell even after an extensive search: see rake (“to search through (thoroughly)”). The verb is derived from the noun.

1. To behave as a rake; to lead a hedonistic and immoral life.

   “When women hid their necks , and veil'd their faces , Nor romp'd , nor raked , nor stared at public places”