■ noun
1》 an omnivorous domesticated hoofed mammal with sparse bristly hair and a flat snout, kept for its meat. [ Sus domesticus .]
↘a wild animal related to this; a hog. [Family Suidae.]
↘ N. Amer. a young ~; a ~let.
2》 informal a greedy, dirty, or unpleasant person.
3》 informal, derogatory a police officer.
4》 an oblong mass of iron or lead from a smelting furnace.
5》 a device which fits snugly inside an oil or gas pipeline and is sent through it to clean or test the inside, or to act as a barrier.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ging , ~ged )
1》 (often ~ out ) informal gorge oneself with food.
2》 (often in phr. ~ it ) informal crowd together with others in disorderly or dirty conditions.
3》 (of a sow) give birth to ~lets; farrow.
4》 operate a ~ within an oil or gas pipeline.
Phrases
in a ~'s eye informal, chiefly N. Amer. expressing scornful disbelief.
make a ~ of oneself informal overeat.
make a ~'s ear of Brit. informal handle ineptly.
on the ~'s back Irish informal living a life of ease and luxury.
a ~ in a poke something that is bought or accepted without first being seen or assessed.
a ~ of a —— Brit. informal something unpleasant or difficult: I've had a ~ of a day.
Derivatives
~like adjective
~ling noun
Origin
ME: prob. from the first element of OE picbrēd 'acorn', lit. '~ bread' (i.e. food for ~s).