Peg top

Peg top
Peg Peg, n. [OE. pegge; cf. Sw. pigg, Dan. pig a point, prickle, and E. peak.] 1. A small, pointed piece of wood, used in fastening boards together, in attaching the soles of boots or shoes, etc.; as, a shoe peg. [1913 Webster]

2. A wooden pin, or nail, on which to hang things, as coats, etc. Hence, colloquially and figuratively: A support; a reason; a pretext; as, a peg to hang a claim upon. [1913 Webster]

3. One of the pins of a musical instrument, on which the strings are strained. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. One of the pins used for marking points on a cribbage board. [1913 Webster]

5. A step; a degree; esp. in the slang phrase ``To take one down peg.'' [1913 Webster]

To screw papal authority to the highest peg. --Barrow. [1913 Webster]

And took your grandess down a peg. --Hudibras. [1913 Webster]

6. A drink of spirits, usually whisky or brandy diluted with soda water. [India]

This over, the club will be visted for a ``peg,'' Anglice drink. --Harper's Mag. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

7. (Baseball) a hard throw, especially one made to put out a baserunner.

{Peg ladder}, a ladder with but one standard, into which cross pieces are inserted.

{Peg tankard}, an ancient tankard marked with pegs, so as divide the liquor into equal portions. ``Drink down to your peg.'' --Longfellow.

{Peg tooth}. See {Fleam tooth} under {Fleam}.

{Peg top}, a boy's top which is spun by throwing it.

{Screw peg}, a small screw without a head, for fastening soles. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • peg-top — /peg top /, adj. wide at the hips and narrowing to the ankle: peg top trousers; peg top skirts. [1730 40; adj. use of PEG TOP (def. 1)] * * * …   Universalium

  • peg top — peg′ top n. 1) a child s wooden top that spins on a metal peg 2) clo peg tops, peg top trousers • Etymology: 1730–40 …   From formal English to slang

  • peg-top — peg′ top adj. clo wide or full at the top and tapered narrowly at the bottom:peg top trousers; peg top sleeves. • Etymology: 1730–40 …   From formal English to slang

  • peg-top — [peg′täp΄] adj. pear shaped like a peg top; esp., designating trousers that are full at the hips and narrow at the cuffs …   English World dictionary

  • peg top — n. 1. a child s spinning top having a metal tip on which it spins 2. [pl.] peg top trousers …   English World dictionary

  • peg top — noun a pear shaped top made of wood with a metal center pin • Hypernyms: ↑top, ↑whirligig, ↑teetotum, ↑spinning top * * * noun 1. : a pear shaped wooden top that ends in a sharp metal peg and that is made to spin by the unwinding of a string… …   Useful english dictionary

  • peg-top — ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adjective or peg topped ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ Etymology: peg top from peg top; peg topped from peg top + ed : wide at the top and narrow at the bottom used especially of trousers, skirts, and pockets with pleated or draped fullness at the top …   Useful english dictionary

  • peg top — /ˈpɛg tɒp/ (say peg top) noun 1. a child s wooden top spinning on a metal peg. 2. (plural) peg top trousers. 3. a peg top skirt …  

  • peg top — 1. a child s wooden top that spins on a metal peg. 2. peg tops, peg top trousers. [1730 40] * * * …   Universalium

  • peg-top — /ˈpɛg tɒp/ (say peg top) adjective (of trousers, skirts, etc.) wide at the hips and narrowing to the ankle. {from the shape of a peg top, a kind of spinning top, mushroom shaped with a metal central pin, formerly popular} …  

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