/ wɪg; NAmE / noun
in Britain in the past, a member of a party that supported progress and reform and that later became the Liberal Party
For more information see the Cultural Guide
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent. (originally referring to a 17th-century Scottish Presbyterian): probably a shortening of Scots whiggamore , the nickname of 17th-cent. Scottish rebels, from whig to drive + mare female horse or donkey .