Fog

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /fÉ’É¡/
• US often IPA: /fÉ‘g/
• Rhymes: -É’É¡

Origin uncertain; perhaps a Back-formation from {{3}} or perhaps related to the Dutch vocht and German feucht (moisture)

Full definition of fog

Noun

1. (uncountable) A thick cloud that forms near the ground; the obscurity of such a cloud.
2. (uncountable) A mist or film clouding a surface.
3. A state of mind characterized by lethargy and confusion.
• 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, Mr. Pratt's Patients Chapter 4, I was on my way to the door, but all at once, through the fog in my head, I began to sight one reef that I hadn't paid any attention to afore.
4. He did so many drugs, he was still in a fog three months after going through detox.
5. (photography) A silver deposit or other blur on a negative or developed photographic image.

Usage notes

To count sense thick cloud, bank of fog is usually used.

To count sense clouding a surface, foggy patch is usually used.

Synonyms

• (cloud that forms at a low altitude and obscures vision) mist, haze
• (mist or film clouding a surface) steam
• (state of mind characterized by lethargy and confusion) daze, haze

Derived terms

Verb

1. (intransitive) To become covered with or as if with fog.
2. (intransitive) To become obscured in condensation or water.The mirror fogged every time he showered.
3. (intransitive, photography) To become dim or obscure.
4. (transitive) To cover with or as if with fog.
• 1968, Eighth Annual Report, Metropolitan Corporation of Greater Winnipeg, p 7:Fogging for adult mosquito control began on June 4th in residential areas. Until September 25th, the Metro area was fogged eleven times, using nine truck-mounted foggers, eight hand swing foggers, and two boats.
5. (transitive) To obscure in condensation or water.
• 2008, United States Congress, House Committee on Financial Services. Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity - Foreclosure, Foreclosure Prevention and Intervention: The Importance of Loss Mitigation, Unfortunately, the pendulum has swung way too far to the other end where the saying in the industry is is that if you could fog a mirror, you could get a loan.
6. (transitive) To make confusing or obscure.
7. (transitive, photography) To make dim or obscure.
8. To practice in a small or mean way; to pettifog.
• DrydenWhere wouldst thou fog to get a fee?

Synonyms

• (to become obscured in condensation or water) become cloudy, become steamy
• (to make confusing or obscure) blur, cloud, obscure

Origin uncertain; compare Norwegian fogg.

Noun

1. A new growth of grass appearing on a field that has been mowed or grazed.
2. (UK, dialect) Tall and decaying grass left standing after the cutting or grazing season; foggage.
3. (Scotland) Moss.

Derived terms

Verb

1. (transitive) To pasture cattle on the fog, or aftergrass, of; to eat off the fog from.