I. ˈskrag, -raa(ə)g, -raig noun
( -s )
Etymology: perhaps alteration of crag (II)
1.
a. : a rawboned or scrawny person or animal
b. or scrag end : the lean end of a neck of mutton or veal
c. : neck
2. Britain : a rough crooked tree or branch
3. or scrag whale : any of various small whales with no dorsal fin but with protuberances on the dorsal ridge near the tail usually regarded as young or abnormal examples of the right whale
II. transitive verb
( scragged ; scragged ; scragging ; scrags )
1.
a. : to execute by hanging or garroting
b. : to wring the neck of
scrag a turkey
2.
a. : to seize roughly by the neck : choke , manhandle
scragged by the angry mob
before they scragged me and trussed me up — Rose Macaulay
b. : kill , murder
3. : to bend (as spring steel) for testing