scrag

[ skrag ]

noun

1. a lean or scrawny person or animal.
2. the lean end of a neck of veal or mutton.
3. Slang. the neck of a human being.

verb (used with object)

, scragged, scrag·ging.

1. Slang. to wring the neck of; hang; garrote.
2. Metallurgy. to test (spring steel) by bending.

scrag

/ skræɡ /

noun

1. a thin or scrawny person or animal
2. the lean end of a neck of veal or mutton
3. informal.
   the neck of a human being

verb

1. informal.
   to wring the neck of; throttle

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrag¹

First recorded in 1535–45; obscurely akin to crag ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrag¹

C16: perhaps variant of crag ; related to Norwegian skragg, German Kragen collar

Example Sentences

He was probably foolish enough to tell others, and the word was pasted to scrag you before you could get to it.

From Project Gutenberg

Clarice was inwardly convinced that Vivian belonged to the scrag end, so far as character went.

From Project Gutenberg

After all, it is a scrag that has been struck, and everybody laughs and seems to think it a good joke.

From Project Gutenberg

That night they lay behind Scrag Island, and with the first dawn of the morning were under way again.

From Project Gutenberg

Scrag, skrag, n. anything thin or lean and rough: the bony part of the neck.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• execute
• hoist
• stretch
• swing