wigwag
Americanverb (used with or without object)
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to move to and fro.
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Nautical. to signal by movements of two flags or the like waved according to a code.
noun
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Nautical. the act or process of sending messages by the movements of two flags or the like waved according to a code.
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a message so signaled.
verb
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to move (something) back and forth
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to communicate with (someone) by means of a flag semaphore
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of wigwag
1575–85; wig to wag (now dial.) + wag; gradational compound, parallel to zigzag, etc.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Lex not only brought us together but sent us down different paths than we’d been on before he gave us the wigwag.
From The New Yorker ● Jan. 25, 2016
Then through the glasses, U.S. sailormen saw a ragged figure, a pair of wigwag flags.
From Time Magazine Archive
Through distributors which the committee branded dummies, it gets its news by wigwag or telephone from the tracks, flashes it by Western Union teletype throughout the country.
From Time Magazine Archive
From here, he can wigwag through the skylight into the kitchen when he is ready for lunch.
From Time Magazine Archive
"Shall I bring the card to wigwag with?"
From Pee-Wee Harris on the Trail by Percy Keese Fitzhugh
One of them wigwagged: "Am I right for Sicily?"
From Time Magazine Archive
When war came, Herbert wagged his tongue in Commons less, wigwagged the semaphore flags on his river boat, Water Gipsy, more.
From Time Magazine Archive
The guest pianist watched the little tantrum, then, turning towards his wife and friends in the studio, wigwagged his eyebrows and giggled.
From Time Magazine Archive
For better visibility during World War II, landing signal officers on U.S. aircraft carriers wore fluorescent-striped uniforms, wigwagged planes to landings with fluorescent "paddles."
From Time Magazine Archive
In obedience to the order, a sailor on the destroyer's bridge wigwagged the message.
From World's War Events Volume 3 Beginning with the departure of the first American destroyers for service abroad in April, 1917, and closing with the treaties of peace in 1919. by Allen L. (Allen Leon) Churchill
There were signs that Johnson was wigwagging his open left hand as well as prominently displaying his clenched right fist.
From Time Magazine Archive
Zeppo and Chico were to play, Harpo to advise, Groucho to perch on a tower behind Culbertson wigwagging signals.
From Time Magazine Archive
Once, to distract batters, he began wigwagging and semaphoring at the plate from his second base position.
From Time Magazine Archive
For the first time, Johnson seemed to be wigwagging a readiness to stop the bombing and enter into talks without advance guarantees or gestures from Hanoi.
From Time Magazine Archive
As the three raced over the plate, one after another, Wiley was seen violently wigwagging toward the bench.
From Lefty Locke Pitcher-Manager by Burt L. Standish
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