Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Tongs
Tongs
,Noun.
pl.
[OE.
tonge
, tange
, AS. tange
; akin to D. tang
, G. zanga
, OHG. zanga
, Don. tang
, Sw. tång
, Icel. töng
, Gr. δάκνειν
to bite, Skr. dañiç
, daç
. √59. Cf. Tang
a strong taste, anything projecting.] An instrument, usually of metal, consisting of two parts, or long shafts, jointed together at or near one end, or united by an elastic bow, used for handling things, especially hot coals or metals; – often called a
pair of tongs
. Webster 1828 Edition
Tongs
TONGS
,Noun.
plu.
Definition 2024
tongs
tongs
English
Noun
tongs pl (plural only)
- An instrument or tool used for picking things up without touching them with the hands or fingers, consisting of two slats or grips hinged at the end or in the middle, and sometimes including a spring to open the grips.
- 1977, Agatha Christie, An Autobiography, Part II, chapter4:
- There was also hairdressing: hairdressing, too, really was hairdressing in those times — no running a comb through it and that was that. It was curled, frizzed, waved, put in curlers overnight, waved with hot tongs; […].
- 1977, Agatha Christie, An Autobiography, Part II, chapter4:
- (by extension) A large scissors-like two-piece center-hinged forged-iron implement with oval-loop handles and with pointed tips turned inward (in the same plane as and perpendicular to the handles) to facilitate lifting and carrying a block of ice. Often called ice tongs.
Derived terms
- ice tongs
- pipe tongs
Translations
an instrument
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See also
Etymology 2
Noun
tongs
- plural of tong (“instrument”)
Etymology 3
Verb
tongs
- third-person singular simple present indicative form of tong
Etymology 4
Noun
tongs
- plural of tong (“Chinese secret society”)