Lexic.us

Definition of Tongs

1. Noun. Any of various devices for taking hold of objects; usually have two hinged legs with handles above and pointed hooks below.

Definition of Tongs

1. n. pl. An instrument, usually of metal, consisting of two parts, or long shafts, jointed together at or near one end, or united by an elastic bow, used for handling things, especially hot coals or metals; -- often called a pair of tongs.

Definition of Tongs

1. Noun. ((plural of tong)) An instrument or tool used for picking things up without touching them with the hands or fingers, consisting of two slats or grips hinged at the end or in the middle, and sometimes including a spring to open the grips. ¹

2. Noun. (context: by extension) ((plural of tong)) A large scissors-like two-piece center-hinged forged-iron implement with oval-loop handles and with pointed tips turned inward (in the same plane as and perpendicular to the handles) to facilitate lifting and carrying a block of ice. Often called ice tongs. ¹

3. Verb. (third-person singular of tong) ¹

4. Noun. (plural of tong) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Tongs

1. tong [v] - See also: tong

Lexicographical Neighbors of Tongs

Literary usage of Tongs

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Knight's American Mechanical Dictionary: A Description of Tools, Instruments by Edward Henry Knight (1876)
"6514. ab, spring-steel tongs for holding platinum cupe or spoons In a ... g, cupel tongs, of elastic iron, for moving cupele Into or out of the muffle. ..."

2. The Sampling and Assay of the Precious Metals: Comprising Gold, Silver by Ernest Alfred Smith (1913)
"tongs. — The features essential in tongs are that they be as light as possible, ... Many of the tongs sold for assay purposes are too heavy and clumsy and ..."

3. Roadway and Track by Walter Freeman Rench (1921)
"Tie tongs and Rail tongs Tie tongs.—Tie tongs should be so light that one ... In the absence of the tongs gloves should be worn while carrying such ties. ..."

4. Mechanics Magazine (1825)
"The tongs run upon their wheels immediately over the endless chain, so that when the end of the links, ее, is pressed down, one of the hooks catches on л ..."

5. Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe (1895)
"But he was not content with that, but he then takes up the purse with the tongs, holding it so long till the tongs burnt through the purse, ..."

6. Knight's American Mechanical Dictionary: A Description of Tools, Instruments by Edward Henry Knight (1876)
"Clothes-tongs. Coal-tongs. Clutch for hay-elevator. Compasses. ... Gas-fitter's tongs. Forceps. Glass-tongs. Glazier's-vise. ..."

7. Nonsense Books by Edward Lear (1888)
"'T'HE Broom and the Shovel, the Poker and tongs, They all took a drive in the ... Mr. Poker he sate quite upright in the coach; Mr. tongs made a clatter and ..."

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