I. ˈnag, ˈnaa(ə)g, ˈnaig noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English nagge; akin to Dutch negge small horse and probably to Old English hnǣgan to neigh — more at neigh
1.
a. archaic : a small light saddle horse : a riding pony
b. : an inferior or aged and unsound horse
c. slang : racehorse
2. obsolete : prostitute
II. verb
( nagged ; nagged ; nagging ; nags )
Etymology: probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish & Norwegian dialect nagga to gnaw, bite, hurt, Old Norse gnaga to gnaw — more at gnaw
intransitive verb
1. : to engage in persistent petty faultfinding, scolding, or urging
a good wife but she does nag so
2. : to cause distress by persistent small assaults (as of pain or words) — usually used with at
this tooth has been nagging at me for days
transitive verb
1. : to annoy by persistent petty faultfinding, scolding, or urging
nagged her husband at every opportunity
2. : to affect with recurrent awareness, uncertainty, need for consideration, or concern : make recurrently conscious of something (as a problem, solution, situation)
a possible solution nagged the back of my mind
that tattoo nagged my memory
Synonyms: see worry
III. noun
( -s )
1. : an act of nagging : nagging conduct or speech
2. : a person who nags habitually