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jag¹

(jăg)

1. A sharp projection; a barb.

a. A hanging flap along the edge of a garment.

b. A slash or slit in a garment exposing material of a different color.

tr.v. jagged, jag·ging, jags

1. To cut jags in; notch.

2. To cut unevenly.

3. Scots To jab sharply; prick.

[Middle English jagge.]

jagger n.

jagless adj.

jag²

(jăg)

1. Slang

a. A bout of drinking or drug use.

b. A period of overindulgence in an activity; a spree: a shopping jag; a crying jag.

2. A small load or portion.

[Origin unknown.]

JAG

abbr.

judge advocate general

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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