Wag (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Wagged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Wagging.] [OE. waggen; probably of Scand. origin; cf. Sw. vagga to rock a cradle, vagga cradle, Icel. vagga, Dan. vugge; akin to AS. wagian to move, wag, wegan to bear, carry, G. & D. bewegen to move, and E. weigh. √136. See Weigh.] To move one way and the other with quick turns; to shake to and fro; to move vibratingly; to cause to vibrate, as a part of the body; as, to wag the head.[1913 Webster]
No discerner durst wag his tongue in censure.
Every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head.
&hand_; Wag expresses specifically the motion of the head and body used in buffoonery, mirth, derision, sport, and mockery.[1913 Webster]
Wag, v. i. 1. To move one way and the other; to be shaken to and fro; to vibrate.[1913 Webster]
The resty sieve wagged ne'er the more.
2. To be in action or motion; to move; to get along; to progress; to stir. [Colloq.][1913 Webster]
“Thus we may see,” quoth he, “how the world wags.”
3. To go; to depart; to pack oft. [R.][1913 Webster]
I will provoke him to 't, or let him wag.
Wag, n. [From Wag, v.][1913 Webster]
1. The act of wagging; a shake; as, a wag of the head. [Colloq.][1913 Webster]
2. [Perhaps shortened from wag-halter a rogue.] A man full of sport and humor; a ludicrous fellow; a humorist; a wit; a joker.[1913 Webster]
We wink at wags when they offend.
A counselor never pleaded without a piece of pack thread in his hand, which he used to twist about a finger all the while he was speaking; the wags used to call it the thread of his discourse.