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Webster 1828 Edition


Press-gang

PRESS'-GANG

,
Noun.
[press and gang.] A detachment of seamen under the command of an officer, empowered to impress men into the naval service.

Definition 2024


press-gang

press-gang

See also: pressgang

English

Alternative forms

Noun

press-gang (plural press-gangs)

  1. A body of men employed to force others into military or naval service.

Verb

press-gang (third-person singular simple present press-gangs, present participle press-ganging, simple past and past participle press-ganged)

  1. To force men into military or naval service.
  2. To coerce somebody into doing something that they are reluctant to do.

Synonyms

Translations