tong
1[tawng, tong]
|
noun
verb (used with object)
to lift, seize, gather, hold, or handle with tongs, as logs or oysters.
verb (used without object)
to use, or work with, tongs.
Origin of tong
1before 900; 1865–70, for def 2; Middle English tong(e) (singular), tongen, tonges (plural), Old English; cognate with Dutch tang, German Zange pair of tongs or pincers; akin to Greek dáknein to bite
tong
2[tawng, tong]
noun
Origin of tong
21880–85, Americanism; < dialectal Chinese (Guangdong) tòhng, akin to Chinese táng meeting hall
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for tong
Contemporary Examples of tong
Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and Senator Mitch McConnell of Wherever are going at it hammer and tong.
Historical Examples of tong
A bunch of us are planning to go to Tong's for a Chinese meal.
Have We No Rights?Mabel Williamson
In the Tong version, the action seems to be done by the ring.
The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol II of II)Alice Bertha Gomme
Tong Pee, crushed to a pulp under the binnacle, made no reply.
CommandWilliam McFee
He had never been a communicative person, Tong Pee, and now he had no choice.
CommandWilliam McFee
It doesn't look like a place for a Tong row with Chinese pirates, though, does it?
Moran of the Lady LettyFrank Norris
tong
1verb (tr)
tong
2noun
Word Origin for tong
C20: from Chinese (Cantonese) t'ong meeting place
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Tong
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
tong
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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