1. v. & n.
--v.intr. (lagged, lagging)
1. (often foll. by behind) fall behind; not keep pace.
2 US Billiards make the preliminary strokes that decide which player shall begin.
--n.
1. a delay.
2 Physics a retardation in a current or movement. b the amount of this.
Phrases and idioms:
lag of tide the interval by which a tide falls behind mean time at the 1st and 3rd quarters of the moon (cf. PRIMING(2)).
Derivatives:
lagger n.
Etymology: orig. hindmost person, hang back: perh. f. a fanciful distortion of LAST(1) in a children's game (fog, seg, lag, 1st, 2nd, last, in dial.) 2. v. & n.
--v.tr. (lagged, lagging) enclose or cover in lagging.
--n.
1. the non-heat-conducting cover of a boiler etc.; lagging.
2 a piece of this.
Etymology: prob. f. Scand.: cf. ON l{ouml}gg barrel-rim, rel. to LAY(1) 3. n. & v. sl.
--n. (esp. as old lag) a habitual convict.
--v.tr. (lagged, lagging)
1. send to prison.
2 apprehend; arrest.
Etymology: 19th c.: orig. unkn.