wag

Definitions

1. 1.Note: Wag expresses specifically the motion of the head and body used in buffoonery, mirth, derision, sport, and mockery.
2. 2.To move one way and the other; to be shaken to and fro; to vibrate. The resty sieve wagged ne'er the more. Dryden.
3. 3.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.
4. 4.To go; to depart; to pack oft. [R.] I will provoke him to 't, or let him wag. Shak.
5. 5.The act of wagging; a shake; as, a wag of the head. [Colloq.]
6. 6.Etym: [Perhaps shortened from wag-halter a rogue.] 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.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "wag" mean?
• What is another word for "wag"?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is wag.

• What is note: Wag expresses specifically the motion of the head and body used in buffoonery, mirth, derision, sport, and mockery called?
• What is to move one way and the other; to be shaken to and fro; to vibrate. The resty sieve wagged ne'er the more. Dryden called?
• What is 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 called?
• What is to go; to depart; to pack oft. [R.] I will provoke him to 't, or let him wag. Shak called?
• What is the act of wagging; a shake; as, a wag of the head. [Colloq.] called?