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twang

 - 3 dictionary results

twang

  [twang] ,
Use twang in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to give out a sharp, vibrating sound, as the string of a musical instrument when plucked.
2. to produce such a sound by plucking a stringed musical instrument.
3. to have or produce a sharp, nasal tone, as the human voice.
–verb (used with object)
4. to cause to make a sharp, vibrating sound, as a string of a musical instrument.
5. to produce (music) by plucking the strings of a musical instrument.
6. to pluck the strings of (a musical instrument): to twang a guitar.
7. to speak with a sharp, nasal tone.
8. to pull the string of (an archer's bow).
9. to let fly (an arrow).
–noun
10. the sharp, ringing sound produced by plucking or suddenly releasing a tense string.
11. a sound resembling this.
12. an act of plucking or picking: He gave his guitar strings a twang.
13. a sharp, nasal tone, as of the human voice.
Origin:
1535–45; imit.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To twang
twang   (twāng)   
v.   twanged, twang·ing, twangs

v.   intr.

  1. To emit a sharp, vibrating sound, as the string of a musical instrument does when it is plucked.

  2. To resound with a sharp, vibrating sound.

  3. To speak in a strongly nasal tone of voice.

v.   tr.

  1. To cause to make a sharp, vibrating sound: twanged the car antenna.

  2. To utter with a strongly nasal tone of voice.

n.  

  1. A sharp, vibrating sound, as that of a plucked string.

  2. A strongly nasal tone of voice, especially as a peculiarity of certain regional dialects.


[Imitative.]
twang'y adj.
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

twang  (n.)
1553, of imitative origin. Originally of bows and strings; extension to "a nasal vocal sound" is first recorded 1661. The verb is first attested 1542.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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