cadge

¹ American  

[kaj] / kædʒ /

verb (used with object)

cadged, cadging

1. to obtain by imposing on another's generosity or friendship.

2. to borrow without intent to repay.

3. to beg or obtain by begging.

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verb (used without object)

cadged, cadging

1. to ask, expect, or encourage another person to pay for or provide one's drinks, meals, etc.

2. to beg.

cadge ² American  

[kaj] / kædʒ /

noun

Falconry.

1. a frame on which hawks are carried to the field.

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cadge British  

/ kædʒ /

verb

1. to get (food, money, etc) by sponging or begging

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noun

1. a person who cadges

2. informal  engaged in cadging

Other Word Forms

• cadger noun

Etymology

Origin of cadge¹

1275–1325; perhaps to be identified with Middle English caggen to tie, of uncertain origin

Origin of cadge¹

First recorded in 1605–15; apparently variant of cage

Example Sentences

Schwarzenegger made a pilgrimage to Washington to cadge more money from the government, but came home empty-handed.

From Los Angeles Times

A visitor lucky enough to cadge an invitation from a member might end up in the company of a Supreme Court justice, the master of an Oxford college or the editor of a London newspaper.

From New York Times

The custom dates back more than 150 years, but was stopped in 1909 by the local constabulary, which saw the "straw bears" as a form of "cadging", or begging, for rewards.

From BBC

Instead she took a too-expensive Motel 6 room, then couch-surfed, cadged a shared hotel room with a colleague and slept some nights in the airport — which isn’t allowed, she said, but “I chanced it.”

From Seattle Times

Recent headlines about a black bear found in Disney World and a video of another cadging lunch in front of a cowering mother and child have raised fears of attacks.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• scrounge