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tongs - 8 dictionary results
tongs
[tawngz, tongz] 
,–noun (usually used with a plural verb
)
) | any of various implements consisting of two arms hinged, pivoted, or otherwise fastened together, for seizing, holding, or lifting something (usually used with pair of). |
tong
1 [tawng, tong] ,–noun
| 1. | tongs. |
–verb (used with object)
| 2. | to lift, seize, gather, hold, or handle with tongs, as logs or oysters. |
–verb (used without object)
| 3. | to use, or work with, tongs. |
Origin:
bef. 900; 1865–70, for def. 2; ME tong(e) (sing.), tongen, tonges (pl.), OE; c. D tang, G Zange pair of tongs or pincers; akin to Gk dáknein to bite
bef. 900; 1865–70, for def. 2; ME tong(e) (sing.), tongen, tonges (pl.), OE; c. D tang, G Zange pair of tongs or pincers; akin to Gk dáknein to bite
Related forms:
tonger, noun
tong
2 [tawng, tong] ,–noun
| 1. | (in China) an association, society, or political party. |
| 2. | (among Chinese living in the U.S.) a fraternal or secret society, often associated with criminal activities. |
Origin:
1880–85, Americanism; < dial. Chin (Guangdong) tòhng, akin to Chin táng meeting hall
1880–85, Americanism; < dial. Chin (Guangdong) tòhng, akin to Chin táng meeting hall
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To tongs
| tong 1 (tông, tŏng) tr.v. tonged, tong·ing, tongs To seize, hold, or manipulate with tongs. [Back-formation from tongs.] |
| tong 2 (tông, tŏng) n.
[Chinese (Cantonese) t'ōng, assembly hall, familial relationship between cousins, equivalent to Chinese (Mandarin) táng.] |
tongs (tôngz, tŏngz)  (click for larger image in new window) pl.n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) A grasping device consisting of two arms that are joined, often at one end, as by a pivot or a scissorlike hinge. [Middle English tonges, pl. of tonge, from Old English tang, tong.] |
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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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Tongs
Tongs\, n. pl. [OE. tonge, tange, AS. tange; akin to D. tang, G. zanga, OHG. zanga, Don. tang, Sw. t[*a]ng, Icel. t["o]ng, Gr. da`knein to bite, Skr. da[~n]i[,c], da[,c]. [root]59. Cf. Tang a strong taste, anything projecting.] An instrument, usually of metal, consisting of two parts, or long shafts, jointed together at or near one end, or united by an elastic bow, used for handling things, especially hot coals or metals; -- often called a pair of tongs.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : tongs
Spanish:
pinzas,
German:
die Zange,
Japanese:
はさみ道具
tongs
O.E. tange, tang "tongs," from P.Gmc. *tango (cf. O.S. tanga, O.N. töng, Swed. tång, O.Fris. tange, M.Du. tanghe, Du. tang, O.H.G. zanga, Ger. Zange), lit. "that which bites," from PIE base *dank- "bite" (cf. Skt. dasati "biter;" Gk. daknein "to bite," dax "biting"). For sense evolution, cf. Fr. mordache "tongs," from mordre "to bite."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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