I. ˈdrag noun
Etymology: Middle English dragge, probably from Middle Low German draggen grapnel; akin to Old English dragan to draw — more at draw
Date: 14th century
1. : something used to drag with ; especially : a device for dragging under water to detect or obtain objects
2. : something that is dragged, pulled, or drawn along or over a surface: as
a. : harrow
b. : a sledge for conveying heavy bodies
c. : conveyance
3.
a. : the act or an instance of dragging or drawing: as
(1) : a drawing along or over a surface with effort or pressure
(2) : motion effected with slowness or difficulty ; also : the condition of having or seeming to have such motion
(3) : a draw on a pipe, cigarette, or cigar ; also : a draft of liquid
b. : a movement, inclination, or retardation caused by or as if by dragging
c. slang : influence securing special favor : pull
4.
a. : something that retards motion, action, or advancement
b.
(1) : the retarding force acting on a body (as an airplane) moving through a fluid (as air) parallel and opposite to the direction of motion
(2) : friction between engine parts ; also : retardation due to friction
c. : burden , encumbrance
the drag of population growth on living standards
d. : one that is boring or gets in the way of enjoyment
thinks studying is a drag
this sickly kid is going to be a social drag — Edmund Morris
5.
a. : an object drawn over the ground to leave a scented trail
b. : a clog fastened to a trap to prevent the escape of a trapped animal
6. : street , road
the main drag
7.
a. : costume , outfit
in Victorian drag
b. : clothing typical of one sex worn by a person of the opposite sex — often used in the phrase in drag
8. : drag race
II. verb
( dragged ; drag·ging )
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to draw slowly or heavily : haul
(2) : to cause (as oneself) to move with slowness or difficulty
dragged myself up the stairs
(3) : to cause to trail along a surface
wandered off dragging the leash
b.
(1) : to bring by or as if by force or compulsion
had to drag her husband to the opera
(2) : to extract by or as if by pulling
c. : protract
drag a story out
2.
a. : to pass a drag over
drag a field
b. : to explore with a drag
drag a pond
c. : to catch with a dragnet
3. : to hit (a drag bunt) while moving toward first base
4. : to move (items on a computer screen) especially by means of a mouse
intransitive verb
1. : to hang or lag behind
2. : to fish or search with a drag
3. : to trail along on the ground
4.
a. : to move slowly because of fatigue
was dragging after the long trip
b. : to proceed or continue laboriously or tediously
the lawsuit dragged on for years
5. : draw 4a
drag on a cigarette
6. : to make a plucking or pulling movement
7. : to participate in a drag race
• drag·ging·ly ˈdra-giŋ-lē adverb
•
- drag one's feet
III. adjective
Date: 1887
: of, being, involving, or intended for a person in drag
a drag ball