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lag¹ Definition

lag (lag)

intransitive verb lagged, lag·ging

    1. to fall, move, or stay behind; loiter; linger
    2. to move or develop more slowly than expected, desired, etc.; be retarded in motion, development, etc.
  1. to become gradually less intense, strong, etc.; wane; flag
  2. to toss a marble toward a line marked on the ground to determine the order of play
  3. Billiards to strike the cue ball so that it rebounds from the far rail to stop as close as possible to the near rail or the string line: done to decide the order of play

Etymology: ? akin to obs. Dan lakke, to go slowly

noun

  1. a falling behind or being retarded in motion, development, etc.
  2. the amount of such falling behind; interval between two related events, processes, etc. the lag of peak current behind peak voltage
  3. a lagging, as in billiards and marbles
  4. Now Rare one that lags, or is last

lag² Definition

lag (lag)

noun

a strip of insulating material used for covering boilers, cylinders, etc.

Etymology: prob. < Scand, as in Swed lagg, barrel stave < IE base *leu-, to cut off > L luere, to cleanse, purge

transitive verb lagged, lag·ging

to cover with insulating material

lag³ Definition

lag (lag)

transitive verb lagged, lag·ging

  1. to imprison
  2. to arrest

Etymology: < ?

noun

  1. a convict or ex-convict
  2. a term of imprisonment

lag Synonyms

lag

n.

slack, retardation, slowness, belatedness, tardiness, falling behind, interval, pulling back, delay, slowdown, drag, sluggishness, backwardness.

Antonyms progress*, progression, advance.

lag Synonyms

lag

v.

  1. To move slowly

    dawdle, linger, fall back, hold back, loiter, tarry, straggle, saunter, be retarded, inch along, inch, get behind, slacken, slow up, fall behind, lag behind, procrastinate, have lead in one's rear*, get no place fast*; see also delay 1.

    Antonyms hasten, hurry*, keep pace with.

  2. To move without spirit

    plod, trudge, toddle, slouch, lounge, shuffle, falter, flag, stagger, hobble, limp, shamble.

    Antonyms dance*, scamper, bound.

lag Usage Examples

Object

  • jet: I get back from Austria the night before so may be jet lagged... .
  • cylinder: Timber door to storage cupboard housing lagged hot water cylinder.
  • pipe: Lag hot water pipes - saving another £ 10 a year.
  • tank: Built-in airing cupboard housing lagged tank with fitted immersion heater.

Adjective modifier

  • noticeable: Where you see them send a message, and get the reply, there is a noticeable time lag in receiving the reply.
  • slight: For instance, the slight response lag with wireless mice can be a problem for gamers.
  • pure: From a pure shutter lag view the Coolpix S1 took a picture and recorded it in 0.48 seconds.
  • inevitable: Frictional unemployment is the result of inevitable time lags resulting from imperfect mobility between jobs.

Preposition: behind

  • rest: Scotland continues to lag behind the rest of the UK.

Modifies a noun

  • screw: Where do you place the lag screw and why.
  • diagram: A lag diagram of Moran's I was generated for each surface.
  • phase: A number of factors are important: - Very small inoculum - to allow good demonstration of lag phase.

Modifying Another Word

    Noun used with modifier

    • jet: Jet lag combined with ill health sucks even more.
    • shutter: Points I like: Picture quality Good indoor shots Fast acting - low shutter lag times Large LCD screen.
    • turbo: Reduces turbo lag and provides more power and economy while providing thicker bearing oil films at operating temperature than a petroleum 10W-40.
    • phase: The phase lag of the BMM is preserved in the NAP.
    • time: Why is there a time lag with digital radio?
    • release: With a start up time of just 0.18 seconds and a shutter minimal release lag time of approx.

    Preposition: with

    • asbestos: He worked dismantling pipes lagged with asbestos and on land removing asbestos lagging.
lag Quotes

   The rule of distributive justice is a statement of what ought to be, and what people say ought to be is determined in the long run and with some lag by what they find in fact to be the case.

—Homans, George C

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