[tong] n [Chin (Guangdong) tohng, lit., hall] (1883): a secret society or fraternal organization esp. of Chinese in the U.S. formerly notorious for gang warfare
[2]tong vb [tongs] vt (1901): to take, gather, hold, or handle with tongs "~ oysters" ~ vi: to use tongs esp. in taking or gathering something -- tong.er n