tug

views updated May 23 2018

tug / təg/ • v. (tugged, tug·ging) [tr.] pull (something) hard or suddenly: she tugged off her boots | [intr.] he tugged at Tom's coat sleeve. • n. 1. a hard or sudden pull: another tug and it came loose | fig. an overwhelming tug of attraction. 2. short for tugboat. ∎ an aircraft towing a glider.3. a loop from a horse's saddle that supports a shaft or trace.DERIVATIVES: tug·ger n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

tug

views updated May 11 2018

tug vb. XIII (togge). f. weak grade of Gmc. *teux- (repr. by OE. tēon, OHG. ziohan, G. ziehen) draw, pull:- IE. *deuk- (repr. by L. dūcere lead).
Hence tug sb. (chiefly pl.) chains, traces, studs, to maintain attachment, connection, etc. XIII; act of pulling, or struggling XVI; (dial.) timber waggon XVIII; small powerful vessel for towing XIX.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

TUG

views updated May 23 2018

TUG Telephone Users' Group

The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH