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Definition of prig - 4 dictionary results

prig

1  [prig]
Use prig in a Sentence
–noun
a person who displays or demands of others pointlessly precise conformity, fussiness about trivialities, or exaggerated propriety, esp. in a self-righteous or irritating manner.
Origin:
1560–70; formerly, coxcomb; perh. akin to prink

Related forms:
priggish, adjective
prig⋅gish⋅ly, adverb
prig⋅gish⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
prude, puritan, bluenose.

prig

2  [prig] verb, prigged, prig⋅ging, noun
–verb (used with object)
1. Chiefly British. to steal.
–verb (used without object)
2. Scot. and North England. to haggle or argue over price.
3. British Informal. to beg or entreat; ask a favor.
–noun
4. Chiefly British. a thief.
Origin:
1505–15; orig. thieves' cant; orig. uncert.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To prig
prig   (prĭg)   
n.  

  1. A person who demonstrates an exaggerated conformity or propriety, especially in an irritatingly arrogant or smug manner.

  2. Chiefly British A petty thief or pickpocket.

  3. Archaic A conceited dandy; a fop.

tr.v.   prigged, prig·ging, prigs Chiefly British
To steal or pilfer.

[Origin unknown.]
prig'ger·y n., prig'gish adj., prig'gish·ly adv., prig'gish·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

prig 
1753, "precisian in speech or manners," of unknown origin; earlier "dandy, fop" (1676), "thief" (1610, in form prigger recorded from 1561), also a thieves' cant word for "a tinker" (1567), though connection of this with the other meaning is uncertain.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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