wigwag

[ wig-wag ]
See synonyms for wigwag on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with or without object),wig·wagged, wig·wag·ging.
  1. to move to and fro.

  2. Nautical. to signal by movements of two flags or the like waved according to a code.

noun
  1. Nautical. the act or process of sending messages by the movements of two flags or the like waved according to a code.

  2. a message so signaled.

Origin of wigwag

1
1575–85; wig to wag (now dial.) + wag; gradational compound, parallel to zigzag, etc.

Other words from wigwag

  • wigwagger, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for wigwag

wigwag

/ (ˈwɪɡˌwæɡ) /


verb-wags, -wagging or -wagged
  1. to move (something) back and forth

  2. to communicate with (someone) by means of a flag semaphore

noun
    • a system of communication by flag semaphore

    • the message signalled

Origin of wigwag

1
C16: from obsolete wig, probably short for wiggle + wag 1

Derived forms of wigwag

  • wigwagger, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012