I. ˈsag verb
( sagged ; sag·ging )
Etymology: Middle English saggen; akin to Middle Low German sacken to sink, Norwegian dialect sakka
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1. : to droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
2.
a. : to lose firmness, resiliency, or vigor
spirits sagging from overwork
b. : to decline especially from a thriving state
3. : drift
4. : to fail to stimulate or retain interest
transitive verb
: to cause to sag : leave slack in
II. noun
Date: 1580
1. : a tendency to drift (as of a ship to leeward)
2.
a. : a sagging part
the sag in a rope
b. : a drop or depression below the surrounding area
c. : an instance or amount of sagging
3. : a temporary decline (as in the price of a commodity)