tong
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tong 1
(tông, tŏng)tr.v. tonged, tong·ing, tongs
To seize, hold, or manipulate with tongs.
[Back-formation from tongs.]
tong 2
(tông, tŏng)n.
1. A Chinese association or political party.
2. An association or a secret society of Chinese in the United States, believed to be involved in organized crime.
[Cantonese tong4, assembly hall, familial relationship between cousins, from Middle Chinese tɦaŋ (also the source of Mandarin táng).]
tong
(tɒŋ)vb (tr)
1. to gather or seize with tongs
2. (Hairdressing & Grooming) to curl or style (hair) with curling tongs
tong
(tɒŋ)n
(Historical Terms) (formerly) a Chinese secret society or association, esp one popularly assumed to engage in criminal activities
[C20: from Chinese (Cantonese) t'ong meeting place]
tong1
(tɔŋ, tɒŋ)n.
1. tongs.
v.t. 2. to lift, seize, gather, hold, or handle with tongs, as logs or oysters.
v.i. 3. to use, or work with, tongs.
[before 900; Middle English tong(e), Old English, c. Old Frisian tange, Old Saxon tanga, Old High German zanga, Old Norse tǫng]
tong2
(tɔŋ, tɒŋ)n.
1. (in China) an association, society, or political party.
2. (among Chinese living in the U.S.) a fraternal or secret society, often associated with criminal activities.
[1880–85, Amer.; < dial. Chinese (Guangdong) tòhng, akin to Chinese táng meeting hall]
tong
Past participle: tonged
Gerund: tonging
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