jag

¹ American  

[jag] / dʒæg /

noun

1. a sharp projection on an edge or surface.

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verb (used with object)

jagged, jagging

1. to cut or slash, especially in points or pendants along the edge; form notches, teeth, or ragged points in.

verb (used without object)

jagged, jagging

1. to move with a jerk; jog.

jag ² American  

[jag] / dʒæg /

noun

1. a period of unrestrained indulgence in an activity; spree; binge.

   a crying jag; a talking jag.

2. a state of intoxication from liquor.

3. Northern, North Midland, and Western U.S. a load, as of hay or wood.

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J.A.G. ³ American  

Or JAG

abbreviation

1. Judge Advocate General.

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jag ¹ British  

/ dʒæɡ /

verb

1. (tr) to cut unevenly; make jagged

2. to catch (fish) by impaling them on an unbaited hook

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noun

1. an informal word for jab jab

noun

1. a jagged notch or projection

jag ² British  

/ dʒæɡ /

noun

1. 1. intoxication from drugs or alcohol

   2. a bout of drinking or drug taking

2. a period of uncontrolled activity

   a crying jag

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Jag ³ British  

/ dʒæɡ /

noun

1. informal a Jaguar car: often understood as a symbol of affluence

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JAG ⁴ British  

abbreviation

1. Judge Advocate General

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Other Word Forms

• jagless adjective

Etymology

Origin of jag¹

1350–1400; late Middle English jagge (noun), jaggen (v.), of obscure origin

Origin of jag²

1590–1600; perhaps originally load of broom or furze (compare Old English ceacga broom, furze)

Example Sentences

"I've had a bit of a writing jag and I've got quite a lot of songs, so I'm hoping that I can get an EP out as well as an LP," he said.

From BBC • Nov. 21, 2023

Since its buying jag began, the company has filed suit in federal court against a group of families the firm purchased property from, seeking $510 million.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 31, 2023

For a moment, I wondered whether there might be some new subtlety in nuclear-deterrence strategy, or some strange jag in Russian military thinking, that might rebut my conclusion.

From Slate • Mar. 27, 2023

When state lawmakers gathered this past week to fight about guns, they ended up going off on a jag about something else entirely:

From Seattle Times • Mar. 11, 2023

The sound would jag around in our air for an indecisive second before the balcony’s occupants accepted it and sent their own guffaws to riot with it against the walls of the theater.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou