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noun

cag

Cag (noun) means a small barrel or keg. Example: “They kept a cag of nails in the shed.”

noun
1
A small barrel or keg.
"They kept a cag of nails in the shed."
2
A stump or knob left on a tree where a branch has been cut off.
"A cag of old wood stuck out from the trunk."
verb
1
To annoy, offend, or upset someone (dialect).
"Stop cagging him about his accent."

How to use cag

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA rare, mostly dialect word for a small keg, or for a leftover stump/knob; as a verb it means to annoy someone.

When to use it

Very uncommon outside regional British dialect — most speakers will never encounter this word.

Word forms

cagged past tense, cags plural, cags plural, cags singular

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Test yourself on “cag” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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They kept a _____ of nails in the shed.

Etymology

From Middle English kag, borrowed from a North Germanic source related to Old Norse kaggi and Swedish kagge, all meaning "keg."

Origin: Middle English

Frequently asked questions

What does “cag” mean?

The word “cag” means a small barrel or keg. In plain terms, a rare, mostly dialect word for a small keg, or for a leftover stump/knob; as a verb it means to annoy someone.

How do you use “cag” in a sentence?

Here is “cag” used in a sentence: “They kept a cag of nails in the shed.”

What part of speech is “cag”?

Depending on how it is used, “cag” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “cag” come from?

The word “cag” comes from Middle English. From Middle English kag, borrowed from a North Germanic source related to Old Norse kaggi and Swedish kagge, all meaning "keg.".

How many meanings does “cag” have?

“Cag” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small barrel or keg.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial