rag

Rag means a leftover, worn down or small cloth usually used for cleaning, or is slang for a worn down piece of clothing.

(noun)

  1. An example of a rag is an old sock used for cleaning windows.
  2. An example of a rag is a glove with holes in the finger tips.

The definition of rag is made of worn down cloth or clothing.

(adjective)

An example of rag used as an adjective is a doll made of old cotton shirts; a rag doll.

Rag is defined as to tease, joke with or nag.

(verb)

  1. An example of rag is calling someone by a nickname they don't like.
  2. An example of rag is a husband always telling his wife to "hurry up."

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See rag in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. a waste piece of cloth, esp. one that is old or torn
  2. a small piece of cloth for dusting, cleaning, washing, etc.
  3. anything considered to resemble a rag in appearance or in lack of value
    1. old, worn clothes
    2. any clothes: used humorously
  4. ☆ the axis and white, tough membrane of citrus fruits
  5. cotton and other cloth fibers used in making high-quality papers for documents, stationery, etc.
  6. Slang a newspaper, esp. one viewed with contempt

Origin: ME ragge < OE ragg- (in raggig, ragged) < ON rögg, tuft of hair < IE base *reu-, to tear up > rug, L ruere, to tumble down, rake up, rudis, rough

adjective

  1. made of rags: a rag doll
  2. Informal of or involved in the manufacture and sale of clothing, esp. women's clothing: the rag trade

transitive verb ragged, ragging

  1. to tease, scold, criticize, or nag: often with on
  2. Brit. to play a practical joke or jokes on

Origin: < 19th-c. Brit university slang < ?

noun

  1. an act or instance of ragging
  2. (one of) a series of activities by university students to raise money for charity

noun

a roofing slate with one rough side

Origin: < ?

noun

☆ a composition in ragtime

transitive verb ragged, ragging

to play in ragtime

See rag in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. A scrap of cloth.
    b. A piece of cloth used for cleaning, washing, or dusting.
  2. rags Threadbare or tattered clothing.
  3. Cloth converted to pulp for making paper.
  4. A scrap; a fragment.
  5. Slang A newspaper, especially one specializing in sensationalism or gossip.
  6. The stringy central portion and membranous walls of a citrus fruit.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English ragge

Origin: , from Old English *ragg

Origin: , from Old Norse *rögg, woven tuft of wool

.

transitive verb ragged ragged, rag·ging, rags
  1. Slang To tease or taunt. See Synonyms at banter.
  2. Slang To berate; scold.
  3. Chiefly British To play a joke on.
  4. Sports In ice hockey, to maintain possession of (the puck) by outmaneuvering opposing players, especially so as to kill a penalty.
noun
Chiefly British
A practical joke; a prank.

Origin:

Origin: Origin unknown

.

noun
  1. A roofing slate with one rough surface.
  2. Chiefly British A coarsely textured rock.

Origin:

Origin: Origin unknown

.

transitive verb ragged ragged, rag·ging, rags
To compose or play (a piece) in ragtime.
noun
A piece written in ragtime.

Origin:

Origin: Perhaps from ragged

.

Learn more about rag

rag

link/cite print suggestion box