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nag¹

(năg)

v. nagged, nag·ging, nags

v.tr.

1. To annoy by constant scolding, complaining, or urging.

2. To torment persistently, as with anxiety or pain.

v.intr.

1. To scold, complain, or find fault constantly: nagging at the children.

2. To be a constant source of anxiety or annoyance: The half-remembered quotation nagged at my mind.

One who nags.

[Probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse gnaga, to bite, gnaw.]

nagger n.

nagging·ly adv.

nag²

(năg)

1. A horse, especially:

a. An old or worn-out horse.

b. Slang A racehorse.

2. Archaic A small saddle horse or pony.

[Middle English nagge, possibly of Low German origin.]

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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