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tongs Definition

tongs (tôŋz, täŋz)

a device for seizing or lifting objects, having two long arms pivoted or hinged together

Etymology: ME tongys, pl. of tonge < OE tange, akin to Ger zange < IE base *den-, to bite: basic sense “those that bite together”

tongs Synonyms

tongs

n.

pinchers, pincers, pliers, forceps, pair of tongs, sugar tongs, fire tongs, ice tongs, blacksmith's tongs; see also tool 1, utensil.

tongs Quotes

Of all the affected, sapless, soulless, beginningless, endless, topless, bottomless, topsiturviest, scrannel- pipiest, tongs and boniest doggerel of sounds I ever endured the deadliest of, that eternityof nothing wasthe deadliest.

—Ruskin,John