English Explanatory Dictionary

gag

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A device to restrain speech, such as a rag in the mouth secured with tape or a rubber ball threaded onto a cord or strap.
  2. An order or rule forbidding discussion of a case or subject.
  3. Any suppression of freedom of speech.
  4. A joke or other mischievous prank.
  5. a device or trick used to create a practical effect; a gimmick
  6. A convulsion of the upper digestive tract.
  7. A mouthful that makes one retch or choke.
  8. Unscripted lines introduced by an actor into his part.
  9. Any of species Mycteroperca microlepis of groupers.
  10. A shocking or surprising thing.
verb
  1. To experience the vomiting reflex.
  2. To cause to heave with nausea.
  3. To restrain someone's speech by blocking his or her mouth.
  4. To pry or hold open by means of a gag.
  5. To restrain someone's speech without using physical means.
  6. To choke; to retch.
  7. To deceive (someone); to con.
  8. To astonish (someone); to leave speechless.
noun
  1. Abbreviation of group-specific antigen.
  2. Initialism of glycosaminoglycan.

Pronunciation

/ˈɡæɡ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-gag.wav /ˈɡeɪ̯ɡ/

Word forms

gag gags gagging gagged

Etymology

The noun is from Early Modern English gagge; the verb is from Middle English gaggen. Possibly imitative or perhaps related to or influenced by Old Norse gag-háls ("with head thrown backwards"; > Norwegian dialectal gaga (“bent backwards”)). The intransitive sense "to retch" is from 1707. The noun is from the 16th century, figurative use (for "repression of speech") from the 1620s. The secondary meaning "(practical) joke" is from 1863, of unclear origin.

Synonyms

gag order gag grouper

Related words

blech retch ag-gag

Derived words

antigag ballgag ball gag blackout gag cleave gag couch gag detective gag gag-a-day gagfest gaggery gag gift gaggy gagless gagman gagmeister gag reel gag reflex gag rein gagroot gag rule gag runner gagsmith gagster gag store gagtooth gagworthy gagwriter gagwriting go along with the gag handgag pacifier gag paci gag ring gag running gag sight gag spider gag tape gag gag a buzzard off a gut wagon gag a dog off a gut wagon gag a maggot gaggable gaggee gagger gag it gag me with a spoon regag ungag

Translations

Catalan: emmordassar Danish: kneble Dutch: knevelen Finnish: suukapuloida French: bâillonner Georgian: ჩაჩუმება Georgian: ხმის ჩაწყვეტინება German: knebeln German: mundtot machen Italian: imbavagliare Māori: koromōkā Māori: whakamōkā Polish: kneblować Polish: zakneblować Portuguese: amordaçar Spanish: amordazar
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