■ noun
1》 a short projecting pin or bolt used for hanging things on, securing something in place, or marking a position.
↘a clip for holding things together or hanging up clothes.
↘a place marked by a ~ and allotted to a competitor to fish or shoot from.
2》 a point or limit on a scale, especially of exchange rates.
3》 informal a person's leg.
4》 chiefly Indian a measure of spirits.
5》 chiefly Baseball a strong throw.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ging , ~ged )
1》 fix, attach, or mark with a ~ or ~s.
2》 fix (a price, rate, or amount) at a particular level.
3》 informal, chiefly N. Amer. form a fixed opinion of: the officer probably has us ~ged as anarchists.
4》 chiefly Baseball throw (a ball) hard and low.
Phrases
off the ~ Brit. (of clothes) ready-made.
a square ~ in a round hole a person in a situation unsuited to their abilities or character.
take (or bring ) someone down a ~ or two make someone less arrogant.
Phrasal verbs
~ away informal work hard over a long period.
~ out
1》 informal, chiefly Brit. die.
2》 score the winning point at cribbage.
3》 Croquet hit the ~ with the ball as the final stroke in a game.
Origin
ME: prob. of Low Ger. origin.