rag
1
[ rag ]
/ ræg /
noun
Idioms for rag
chew the rag.
chew(def 11).
from rags to riches,
from extreme poverty to great wealth: He went from rags to riches in only three years.
Origin of rag
1
1275–1325; Middle English
ragge < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian, Swedish
ragg coarse hair < Old Norse
rǫgg
Words nearby rag
Definition for rags (2 of 4)
rag
2
[ rag ]
/ ræg /
verb (used with object), ragged, rag·ging.
to scold.
to subject to a teasing, especially in an intense or prolonged way (often followed by on): Some of the boys were ragging on him about his haircut.
British.
to torment with jokes; play crude practical jokes on.
noun
British.
an act of ragging.
Origin of rag
2
First recorded in 1790–1800; origin uncertain
Definition for rags (3 of 4)
rag
3
[ rag ]
/ ræg /
verb (used with object), ragged, rag·ging.
to break up (lumps of ore) for sorting.
Origin of rag
3
First recorded in 1870–75; origin uncertain
Definition for rags (4 of 4)
rag
4
[ rag ]
/ ræg /
noun
a musical composition in ragtime: a piano rag.
verb (used with object), ragged, rag·ging.
to play (music) in ragtime.
Origin of rag
4
First recorded in 1895–1900; shortened form of
ragtime
Example sentences from the Web for rags
British Dictionary definitions for rags (1 of 5)
rags
/ (ræɡz) /
pl n
torn, old, or shabby clothing
cotton or linen cloth waste used in the manufacture of rag paper
from rags to riches informal
- from poverty to great wealth
- (as modifier)a rags-to-riches tale
glad rags informal
best clothes; finery
British Dictionary definitions for rags (2 of 5)
rag
1
/ (ræɡ) /
noun
See also
rags
Word Origin for rag
C14: probably back formation from
ragged, from Old English
raggig; related to Old Norse
rögg tuft
British Dictionary definitions for rags (3 of 5)
rag
2
/ (ræɡ) /
verb rags, ragging or ragged (tr)
to draw attention facetiously and persistently to the shortcomings or alleged shortcomings of (a person)
British
to play rough practical jokes on
noun
British
a boisterous practical joke, esp one on a fellow student
(in British universities)
- a period, usually a week, in which various events are organized to raise money for charity, including a procession of decorated floats and tableaux
- (as modifier)rag day
Word Origin for rag
C18: of uncertain origin
British Dictionary definitions for rags (4 of 5)
rag
3
/ (ræɡ) jazz /
noun
a piece of ragtime music
verb rags, ragging or ragged
(tr)
to compose or perform in ragtime
Word Origin for rag
C20: shortened from
ragtime
British Dictionary definitions for rags (5 of 5)
rag
4
/ (ræɡ) /
noun
a roofing slate that is rough on one side
Word Origin for rag
C13: of obscure origin
Idioms and Phrases with rags
rag