I. ˈgag, -aa(ə)g, -aig verb
( gagged ; gagged ; gagging ; gags )
Etymology: Middle English gaggen to strangle, of imitative origin
transitive verb
1. : to apply a gag to:
a. : to stop the mouth of by thrusting something in it in order to hinder or prevent speaking or outcry
b. : to pry or hold open by means of a gag
c. : to silence by the force of authority or violence : prevent from exercising freedom of speech or expression
the dictator's first act was to gag all newspapers
the opposition refused to be gagged and found new means of putting their ideas across to the public
2. : to cause to heave (as with nausea) : cause to retch
3. : obstruct , choke
gag a valve
was struck by a sudden terror which transfixed him on the spot and gagged his throat — S.B.Kaiser
4. : to straighten (rails) with a gag
5. : to introduce gags into : provide gags for : fill with remarks or situations intended to arouse laughter
an amply gagged musical comedy
asked to gag a new movie by a famous producer
— often used with up
intransitive verb
1. : heave , retch
2. : to be unable to endure something : balk
gagged at the sort of painting she was being taught, went off to earn her living in various advertising agencies — Time
the defense was cunning beyond belief, and unscrupulous in its use of propaganda — they gagged at nothing — Maxwell Anderson
3. : to make gags : engage in an interchange intended to arouse laughter
there were no false notes in his testimony, no mugging and gagging — New Republic
gagging with his mates — Life
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: gag (I)
1. : something thrust into the mouth to keep it open ; specifically : a medical device for keeping the mouth open
2.
a. : something thrust into the mouth or throat to prevent or hinder speaking or outcry
b. : cloture
c. : a device or action that hinders or prevents free expression of ideas
3. : a laugh-provoking remark, story, device, or action or one intended to amuse or arouse laughter:
a. : an interpolation originally of an amusing local or topical allusion or bit of byplay by an actor in his lines
b. : a clever, witty, or comic remark, stunt, trick, or piece of action or construction (as in a stage, motion-picture, radio, or television presentation or in a work of literature or art) especially designed to arouse quick and broad laughter
two comedians with dialogue full of fast gags
a partygoer who insists on wearing a lampshade for a hat as a gag
improvise dialogue, gags, and situations as they go along — Current Biography
his standard of humor was set by the gags of the variety shows — S.H.Adams
many a glamour girl got in a WAC recruiting line just for the gag — Time
4.
a. : a made-up story told plausibly or a contrived action to hoax or impose upon someone or to provide a pretext (as for evading something)
when he picked up the telephone and demanded the general manager I thought it was just a gag — Henry Miller
b. : a story of this kind used so frequently as to have become hackneyed
the office boy's gag about a death in the family so he can get a day off
c. : a trick of imposture or deception (as for making someone ridiculous or for gaining publicity)
got himself arrested falsely as a gag to get his name in the papers
5. : a bit with rings at each end through which the cheekpiece of the bridle is continuous with the reins used to keep the horse's head properly up ; especially : a light snaffle of this kind
6. : a fuller used to straighten railway rails
7. : a hand-controlled attachment used to prevent the operation of a punch when a hole is to be omitted
Synonyms: see joke
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
: a small grouper ( Mycteroperca microlepis ) of the coasts of the southern United States highly esteemed for food ; also : any of several related fishes (as the yellowfin grouper)