wigwag

Meanings

1. Any of a number of mechanical or electrical devices which cause a component to oscillate between two states.
2. A device that causes one or more lights to flash in a preset pattern.
3. A red light near the door of a sound stage that flashes to indicate that cameras are rolling inside the stage and that all people and vehicles outside should remain quiet; a red-eye.
4. A device used to cause lamps installed on a motor vehicle, especially an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance or police car, to flash as a warning.
5. A device with multiple (often two), alternately flashing lights which is installed at a railway level crossing (or grade crossing), a movable bridge, etc., to warn vehicular traffic to stop.
6. An instrument that creates a wigwagging motion for polishing.
7. A warning device inside the cabin of a truck that causes a mechanical arm to drop into view when the pressure in the airbrake system of the truck becomes too low for the brakes to be reliably deployed.
8. A grade crossing signal with a swinging motion used to indicate an approaching train.
9. A signal sent by waving a flag to and fro.

1. To move gently in one direction and then another; to wig or wiggle, to wag or waggle.
2. An act of wigwagging.
3. To oscillate between two states.
4. To send a signal by waving a flag to and fro.

1. With a wigwagging or to-and-fro motion.

Etymology

From wig (“to wag, waggle”) + wag (“to swing”). The noun is derived from the verb.