■ noun
1》 the fleshy muscular organ in the mouth, used for tasting, licking, swallowing, and (in humans) articulating speech.
↘the ~ of an ox or lamb, as food.
2》 a person's style or manner of speaking.
3》 a particular language.
4》 a strip of leather or fabric under the laces in a shoe, attached only at the front end.
5》 the free-swinging metal piece inside a bell which strikes the bell to produce the sound.
6》 a long, low promontory of land.
7》 a projecting strip on a wooden board fitting into a groove on another.
8》 the vibrating reed of a musical instrument or organ pipe.
■ verb ( ~s , tonguing , ~d )
1》 Music sound (a note) distinctly on a wind instrument by interrupting the air flow with the ~.
2》 lick or caress with the ~.
Phrases
find (or lose ) one's ~ be able (or unable) to express oneself after a shock.
get one's ~ round pronounce (words).
the gift of ~s the power of speaking in unknown languages, regarded as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).
give ~
1》 (of hounds) bark, especially on finding a scent.
2》 express one's feelings or opinions freely.
( with ) ~ in cheek insincerely or ironically.
one's ~ is hanging out one is very eager for something.
Derivatives
~d adjective
~less adjective
Origin
OE tunge , of Gmc origin.