Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Gag?

\Gag\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Gagged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Gagging}.] [Prob. fr. W. cegio to choke or strangle, fr. ceg mouth, opening, entrance.] 1. To stop the mouth of, by thrusting sometimes in, so as to hinder speaking; hence, to silence by authority or by violence; not to allow freedom of speech to. --Marvell. The time was not yet come when eloquence was to be gagged, and reason to be hood winked. --Maccaulay. 2. To pry or hold open by means of a gag. Mouths gagged to such a wideness. --Fortescue (Transl.). 3. To cause to heave with nausea.
\Gag\, v. i. 1. To heave with nausea; to retch. 2. To introduce gags or interpolations. See {Gag}, n., 3. [Slang] --Cornill Mag.
\Gag\, n. 1. Something thrust into the mouth or throat to hinder speaking. 2. A mouthful that makes one retch; a choking bit; as, a gag of mutton fat. --Lamb. 3. A speech or phrase interpolated offhand by an actor on the stage in his part as written, usually consisting of some seasonable or local allusion. [Slang] {Gag rein} (Harness), a rein for drawing the bit upward in the horse's mouth. {Gag runner} (Harness), a loop on the throat latch guiding the gag rein.