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Antonyms for wagging
| Grammar : Verb |
| Spell : wag |
| Phonetic Transcription : wæg |
Definition of wagging
Origin :- early 13c., "waver, vacillate, lack steadfastness," probably from a Scandinavian source (cf. Old Norse vagga "a cradle," Danish vugge "rock a cradle," Old Swedish wagga "fluctuate"), and in part from Old English wagian "move backwards and forwards;" all from Proto-Germanic *wagojanan (cf. Old High German weggen, Gothic wagjan "to wag"), probably from PIE root *wegh- "to move about" (see weigh). Meaning "to move back and forth or up and down" is from c.1300. Wagtail is attested from c.1500 as a kind of small bird (late 12c. as a surname); 18c. as "a harlot," but seems to be implied much earlier:
- If therefore thou make not thy mistress a goldfinch, thou mayst chance to find her a wagtaile. [Lyly, "Midas," 1592]
- Wag-at-the-wall (1825) was an old name for a hanging clock with pendulum and weights exposed.
- verb wiggle back and forth
- Possibly they recognized the Coyote of the house-yard as she stood there wagging her tail.
- Extract from : « Johnny Bear » by E. T. Seton
- The idea of Turkey wagging his head in a pulpit made me laugh.
- Extract from : « Ranald Bannerman's Boyhood » by George MacDonald
- They were both gone, she replied, wagging her ancient head, for good.
- Extract from : « Barnaby Rudge » by Charles Dickens
- He was perking up his big ears and wagging his stump of a tail in front of him.
- Extract from : « The Manxman » by Hall Caine
- How I came to keep my tongue from wagging out the truth I scarcely know.
- Extract from : « The Shame of Motley » by Raphael Sabatini
- His tail is wagging when he sits, His paws are helpful baseball mitts.
- Extract from : « FreeChildrenStories.com Collection » by Daniel Errico
- “Nay,” said the turnspits, wagging their tails and laughing.
- Extract from : « Boys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17) » by Various
- He lifted himself, wagging his sword, showing his great silvery side.
- Extract from : « Tales of Fishes » by Zane Grey
- Spotty appeared at the barn door, wagging his tail engagingly.
- Extract from : « Four Little Blossoms at Brookside Farm » by Mabel C. Hawley
- "Just what I said all along, my boy," remarked the experienced Gerald, wagging his head sagely.
- Extract from : « The Right Stuff » by Ian Hay
Synonyms for wagging
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019