press gang Hear it!

press gang definition

press gang

noun

Historical a group of men who round up other men and force them into naval or military service
also pressgang press′·gang′

Etymology: for prest gang: see press

press-gang definition

press·-gang (pres′gaŋ′)

transitive verb

  1. Historical to force (someone) into naval or military service by means of a press gang
  2. to force (someone) to do something

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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