frog
1[ frog, frawg ]
/ frɒg, frɔg /
noun
verb (used without object), frogged, frog·ging.
to hunt and catch frogs.
adjective
(often initial capital letter) Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. French or Frenchlike.
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Origin of frog
1before 1000; Middle English frogge, Old English frogga, frocga; compare dial., Middle English frosh, Old Norse froskr, Old High German frosk (German Frosch); defs 5, 6 of unclear derivation
Related formsfrog·like, adjective
Can be confusedfrog toad
Usage note
The use of the word frog to mean “a French person” is a slur that arose because the French were stereotypically thought of as eating frogs.
Definition for frog (2 of 4)
frog
2[ frog, frawg ]
/ frɒg, frɔg /
noun
an ornamental fastening for the front of a coat, consisting of a button and a loop through which it passes.
a sheath suspended from a belt and supporting a scabbard.
Origin of frog
2Definition for frog (3 of 4)
frog
3[ frog, frawg ]
/ frɒg, frɔg /
noun
Railroads. a device at the intersection of two tracks to permit the wheels and flanges on one track to cross or branch from the other.
Origin of frog
3An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; of uncertain origin
Definition for frog (4 of 4)
frog
4[ frog, frawg ]
/ frɒg, frɔg /
noun Zoology.
a triangular mass of elastic, horny substance in the middle of the sole of the foot of a horse or related animal.
Origin of frog
41600–10; compare earlier frush in same sense (probably < French fourchette fourchette); presumably identified with dial. frosh frog, hence with frog1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for frog
British Dictionary definitions for frog (1 of 5)
frog
1/ (frɒɡ) /
noun
any insectivorous anuran amphibian of the family Ranidae, such as Rana temporaria of Europe, having a short squat tailless body with a moist smooth skin and very long hind legs specialized for hopping
any of various similar amphibians of related families, such as the tree frogRelated adjective: batrachian
any spiked or perforated object used to support plant stems in a flower arrangement
a recess in a brick to reduce its weight
a frog in one's throat phlegm on the vocal cords that affects one's speech
verb frogs, frogging or frogged
(intr) to hunt or catch frogs
Word Origin for frog
Old English frogga; related to Old Norse froskr, Old High German forsk
British Dictionary definitions for frog (2 of 5)
frog
2/ (frɒɡ) /
noun
(often plural) a decorative fastening of looped braid or cord, as on the front of a 19th-century military uniform
a loop or other attachment on a belt to hold the scabbard of a sword, etc
music, US and Canadian
- the ledge or ridge at the upper end of the fingerboard of a violin, cello, etc, over which the strings pass to the tuning pegs
- the end of a violin bow that is held by the playerAlso called (in Britain and certain other countries): nut
Word Origin for frog
C18: perhaps ultimately from Latin floccus tuft of hair, flock ²
British Dictionary definitions for frog (3 of 5)
frog
3/ (frɒɡ) /
noun
a tough elastic horny material in the centre of the sole of a horse's foot
Word Origin for frog
C17: of uncertain origin
British Dictionary definitions for frog (4 of 5)
frog
4/ (frɒɡ) /
noun
a grooved plate of iron or steel placed to guide train wheels over an intersection of railway lines
Word Origin for frog
C19: of uncertain origin; perhaps a special use of frog 1
British Dictionary definitions for frog (5 of 5)
Frog
Froggy (ˈfrɒɡɪ)
/ (frɒɡ) /
noun plural Frogs or Froggies
a derogatory word for a French person
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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