Sag

Pronunciation

• enPR: săg, IPA: /sæɡ/
• Rhymes: -æɡ

From late Middle English saggen, probably of Scandinavian/Old Norse origin (compare Norwegian sagga ("move slowly")); probably akin to Danish and Norwegian sakke, Swedish sacka, Icelandic sakka, Old Norse sokkva. Cf. also Low German sacken, Dutch zakken.

Full definition of sag

Noun

1. The state of sinking or bending; sagging.
2. The difference in elevation of a wire, cable, chain or rope suspended between two consecutive points.
3. The difference height or depth between the vertex and the rim of a curved surface, specifically used for optical elements such as a mirror or lens.

Verb

1. To sink, in the middle, by its weight or under applied pressure, below a horizontal line or plane; as, a line or cable supported by its ends sags, though tightly drawn; the floor of a room sags; hence, to lean, give way, or settle from a vertical position; as, a building may sag one way or another; a door sags on its hinges.
2. (figuratively) To lose firmness, elasticity, vigor, or a thriving state; to sink; to droop; to flag; to bend; to yield, as the mind or spirits, under the pressure of care, trouble, doubt, or the like; to be unsettled or unbalanced.
• ShakespeareThe mind I sway by, and the heart I bear,
  Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.
3. To loiter in walking; to idle along; to drag or droop heavily.
4. (transitive) To cause to bend or give way; to load.
5. (informal) To wear one's trousers so that their top is well below the waist.

Noun

1. Alternative form of saag
• 2003, Charles Campion, The Rough Guide to London Restaurants (page 173)The dal tarka (£5) is made from whole yellow split peas, while sag aloo (£5) brings potatoes in a rich and oily spinach puree.

Anagrams

• gas, GSA, SGA