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tongs
7 dictionary results for: tongs
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
tongs       [tawngz, tongz] Pronunciation Key,
–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).

[Origin: see tong1]
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
tong 1       (tông, tŏng)  Pronunciation Key 
tr.v.   tonged, tong·ing, tongs
To seize, hold, or manipulate with tongs.


[Back-formation from tongs.]

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
tong 2       (tông, tŏng)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
  1. A Chinese association or political party.
  2. An association or a secret society of Chinese in the United States, believed to be involved in organized crime.


[Chinese (Cantonese) t'ōng, assembly hall, familial relationship between cousins, equivalent to Chinese (Mandarin) táng.]

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
tongs       (tôngz, tŏngz)  Pronunciation Key 


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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.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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."

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
tongs

noun
any of various devices for taking hold of objects; usually have two hinged legs with handles above and pointed hooks below 

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

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.

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