/ gæg; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a piece of cloth that is put over or in sb's mouth to stop them speaking
2.
an order that prevents sth from being publicly reported or discussed :
a press gag
a gag rule / order (= one given by a court of law)
3.
( informal ) a joke or a funny story, especially one told by a professional
comedian
SYN joke :
to tell / crack a gag
a running gag (= one that is regularly repeated during a performance)
4.
( especially NAmE ) a trick you play on sb :
It was just a gag—we didn't mean to upset anyone.
■ verb ( -gg- )
1.
[ vn ] to put a piece of cloth in or over sb's mouth to prevent them from speaking or shouting :
The hostages were bound and gagged .
2.
[ vn ] to prevent sb from speaking freely or expressing their opinion :
The new laws are seen as an attempt to gag the press.
a gagging order (= one given by a court of law
3.
[ v ] gag (on sth) to have the unpleasant feeling in your mouth and stomach as if you are going to vomit
SYN retch :
She gagged on the blood that filled her mouth.
•
IDIOMS
- be gagging for sth / to do sth
- be gagging for it
••
WORD ORIGIN
verb and noun senses 1 to 2 Middle English : perhaps related to Old Norse gagháls with the neck thrown back, or imitative of a person choking.
noun senses 3 to 4 mid 19th cent. (originally theatrical slang): of unknown origin.