~ 1
■ noun
1》 a tailless amphibian with a short squat body, moist smooth skin, and very long hind legs for leaping. [Many species, chiefly in family Ranidae.]
2》 ( Frog ) informal, derogatory a French person.
Phrases
have a ~ in one's throat informal lose one's voice or find it hard to speak because of hoarseness.
Derivatives
~gy adjective
~let noun
Origin
OE ~ga , of Gmc origin; a general term of abuse in ME. Its application to the French (C18) is partly alliterative, partly from the reputation of the French for eating ~s' legs.
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~ 2
■ noun
1》 a thing used to hold or fasten something.
2》 an ornamental coat fastener consisting of a spindle-shaped button and a loop.
3》 an attachment to a belt for holding a sword or bayonet.
4》 a perforated or spiked device for holding the stems of flowers in an arrangement.
Derivatives
~ged adjective
~ging noun
Origin
C18: perh. a use of ~ 1 , influenced by Ital. forchetta or Fr. fourchette 'small fork', because of the shape.
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~ 3
■ noun an elastic horny pad growing in the sole of a horse's hoof, helping to absorb the shock when the hoof hits the ground.
Origin
C17: perh. from ~ 1 ; perh. also influenced by Ital. forchetta or Fr. fourchette (see ~ 2 ).