ragging

[ rag-ing ]

/ ˈræg ɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR ragging ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Metalworking.

(in the rolls of a rolling mill) corrugations affording a grip on a piece being roughed.

Words nearby ragging

ragged edge, ragged jacket, ragged robin, ragged school, raggedy, ragging, raggle, raggle-taggle, ragi, raglan, raglan sleeve

Origin of ragging

rag³ + -ing¹

Definition for ragging (2 of 4)

rag²

[ rag ]

/ ræg /

Informal.

verb (used with object), ragged, rag·ging.

to scold.

to subject to a teasing, especially in an intense or prolonged way (often followed by on): Some of the boys were ragging on him about his haircut.

British. to torment with jokes; play crude practical jokes on.

noun

British. an act of ragging.

Origin of rag

First recorded in 1790–1800; origin uncertain

Definition for ragging (3 of 4)

rag³

[ rag ]

/ ræg /

verb (used with object), ragged, rag·ging.

to break up (lumps of ore) for sorting.

Origin of rag

First recorded in 1870–75; origin uncertain

Definition for ragging (4 of 4)

rag⁴

[ rag ]

/ ræg /

noun

a musical composition in ragtime: a piano rag.

verb (used with object), ragged, rag·ging.

to play (music) in ragtime.

Origin of rag

⁴

First recorded in 1895–1900; shortened form of ragtime

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for ragging

They nearly slung old Dhurrah-bags and me out of the Service in '85 for ragging.'
A Diversity of Creatures|Rudyard Kipling
No one more than he enjoys my ragging him like this—and I do it rather well.
The Journal of a Disappointed Man|Wilhelm Nero Pilate Barbellion
"Now you two—no ragging," the young man with the red face reproved them, who was marking.
The Voyage Out|Virginia Woolf
Hypatia won't have the chance of ragging you now—she and Miss Trotter have had a bit of a breeze.
The Travelling Companions|F. Anstey

The fellows, after the first amazement, fell on him with all kinds of ragging: Who was she?
The Vehement Flame|Margaret Wade Campbell Deland

British Dictionary definitions for ragging (1 of 4)

rag¹

/ (ræɡ) /

noun

a small piece of cloth, such as one torn from a discarded garment, or such pieces of cloth collectively
(as modifier)a rag doll; a rag book; rag paper

a fragmentary piece of any material; scrap; shred

informal a newspaper or other journal, esp one considered as worthless, sensational, etc

informal an item of clothing

informal a handkerchief

British slang esp nautical a flag or ensign

lose one's rag to lose one's temper suddenly

Word Origin for rag

C14: probably back formation from ragged, from Old English raggig; related to Old Norse rögg tuft

British Dictionary definitions for ragging (2 of 4)

rag²

/ (ræɡ) /

verb rags, ragging or ragged (tr)

to draw attention facetiously and persistently to the shortcomings or alleged shortcomings of (a person)

British to play rough practical jokes on

noun

British a boisterous practical joke, esp one on a fellow student

(in British universities)

a period, usually a week, in which various events are organized to raise money for charity, including a procession of decorated floats and tableaux
(as modifier)rag day

Word Origin for rag

C18: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for ragging (3 of 4)

rag³

/ (ræɡ) jazz /

noun

a piece of ragtime music

verb rags, ragging or ragged

(tr) to compose or perform in ragtime

Word Origin for rag

C20: shortened from ragtime

British Dictionary definitions for ragging (4 of 4)

rag⁴

/ (ræɡ) /

noun

a roofing slate that is rough on one side

Word Origin for rag

C13: of obscure origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with ragging

rag

In addition to the idiom beginning with rag

rag doll

also see:

chew the fat (rag)
from rags to riches
glad rags
run ragged

ragging

noun Metalworking.

Words related to ragging

Words nearby ragging

Origin of ragging

Definition for ragging (2 of 4)

verb (used with object), ragged, rag·ging.

noun

Origin of rag

Definition for ragging (3 of 4)

verb (used with object), ragged, rag·ging.

Origin of rag

Definition for ragging (4 of 4)

noun

verb (used with object), ragged, rag·ging.

Origin of rag

Examples from the Web for ragging

British Dictionary definitions for ragging (1 of 4)

noun

Word Origin for rag

British Dictionary definitions for ragging (2 of 4)

verb rags, ragging or ragged (tr)

noun

Word Origin for rag

British Dictionary definitions for ragging (3 of 4)

noun

verb rags, ragging or ragged

Word Origin for rag

British Dictionary definitions for ragging (4 of 4)

noun

Word Origin for rag

Idioms and Phrases with ragging