intransitive verb lagged, lagging lag′·ging

1. 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.
2. to become gradually less intense, strong, etc.; wane; flag
3. to toss a marble toward a line marked on the ground to determine the order of play
4. 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

noun

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

transitive verb lagged, lagging lag′·ging

transitive verb lagged, lagging lag′·ging

1. to imprison
2. to arrest

Etymology: < ?

noun

1. a convict or ex-convict
   often old lag
2. a term of imprisonment