Peg (?), n. [OE. pegge; cf. Sw. pigg, Dan. pig a point, prickle, and E. peak.]
1.
A small, pointed piece of wood, used in fastening boards together, in attaching the soles of boots or shoes, etc.; as, a shoe peg.
2.
A wooden pin, or nail, on which to hang things, as coats, etc. Hence, colloquially and figuratively: A support; a reason; a pretext; as, a peg to hang a claim upon.
3.
One of the pins of a musical instrument, on which the strings are strained. Shak.
4.
One of the pins used for marking points on a cribbage board.
5.
A step; a degree; esp. in the slang phrase "To take one down peg."
To screw papal authority to the highest peg.
Barrow.
And took your grandess down a peg.
Hudibras.
Peg ladder, a ladder with but one standard, into which cross pieces are inserted. --
Peg tankard, an ancient tankard marked with pegs, so as divide the liquor into equal portions. "Drink down to your peg." Longfellow. --
Peg tooth. See Fleam tooth under Fleam. --
Peg top, a boy's top which is spun by throwing it. --
Screw peg, a small screw without a head, for fastening soles.
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Peg (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pegged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pegging (?).]
1.
To put pegs into; to fasten the parts of with pegs; as, to peg shoes; to confine with pegs; to restrict or limit closely.
I will rend an oak
And peg thee in his knotty entrails.
Shak.
2. (Cribbage)
To score with a peg, as points in the game; as, she pegged twelwe points. [Colloq.]
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Peg, v. i.
To work diligently, as one who pegs shoes; -- usually with on, at, or away; as, to peg away at a task.
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Peg, n.
A drink of spirits, usually whisky or brandy diluted with soda water. [India]
This over, the club will be visted for a "peg," Anglice drink.
Harper's Mag.
© Webster 1913