Category:Wag

Wag, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wagged; p. pr. & vb. n. Wagging.] Etym: [oe. Waggen; probably of scand. origin; cf. Sw. vagga to rock a cradle, Vagga cradle, icel. vagga, dan. vugge; akin to as. wagian to move, Wag, wegan to bear, carry, g. & d. bewegen to move, and e. weigh.
 * 136. See weigh.]

Defn: to move one way and the other with quick turns; to shake to and Fro; to move vibratingly; to cause to vibrate, as a part of the body; As, to wag the head. No discerner durst wag his tongue in censure. Shak. Every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head. Jer. xviii. 16.

Note: wag expresses specifically the motion of the head and body used In buffoonery, mirth, derision, sport, and mockery.

Wag Wag, v. i.

1. To move one way and the other; to be shaken to and fro; to Vibrate. The resty sieve wagged ne'er the more. Dryden.

2. To be in action or motion; to move; to get along; to progress; to Stir. [colloq.] "thus we may see," quoth he, "how the world wags." Shak.

3. To go; to depart; to pack oft. [r.] I will provoke him to 't, or let him wag. Shak.

Wag Wag, n. Etym: [from wag, v.]

1. The act of wagging; a shake; as, a wag of the head. [colloq.]

2. Etym: [perhaps shortened from wag-halter a rogue.]

Defn: a man full of sport and humor; a ludicrous fellow; a humorist; A wit; a joker. We wink at wags when they offend. Dryden. A counselor never pleaded without a piece of pack thread in his hand, Which he used to twist about a finger all the while he was speaking; The wags used to call it the thread of his discourse. Addison.