nag 1
/nag/ , v. , nagged, nagging , n.
v.t.
1. to annoy by persistent faultfinding, complaints, or demands.
2. to keep in a state of troubled awareness or anxiety, as a recurrent pain or problem: She had certain misgivings that nagged her.
v.i.
3. to find fault or complain in an irritating, wearisome, or relentless manner (often fol. by at ): If they start nagging at each other, I'm going home.
4. to cause pain, discomfort, distress, depression, etc. (often fol. by at ): This headache has been nagging at me all day.
n.
5. Also, nagger . a person who nags, esp. habitually.
6. an act or instance of nagging.
[ 1815-25; nagga to rub, grumble, quarrel; akin to MLG naggen to irritate. See GNAW ]
Syn. 1. pester, harass, hector, irritate, vex.
nag 2
/nag/ , n.
1. an old, inferior, or worthless horse.
2. Slang. any horse, esp. a racehorse.
3. a small riding horse or pony.
[ 1350-1400; late ME nagge; connected with D neg(ge) small horse, itself attested late and of obscure orig.; said to be akin to NEIGH ]