Do you know the definition of pegged? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word pegged, including its definition, usage, word origin, and more!
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Kevin
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August 11, 2021
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What does the word pegged mean?
According to Collins English Dictionary, the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, and Word Sense, the word pegged is the past tense form of the verb peg. Peg has a plethora of different definitions and occasions of usage. First, the word peg can be used to mean to fasten or affix with a peg, which is a small, usually-cylindrical piece of material. From this, we get the phrase “to fit a square peg into a round hole.” As a noun, the word peg can also refer to a regulator for the pitch of the strings of a stringed instrument as well as a holder that is attached to the gunwale of a boat that holds the oar in place and acts as a fulcrum. This verb meaning of peg means to fix one thing to another, such as with a nail, screw or bolt.
The verb peg can also mean to secure with pegs or to insert or use pitons. These are usually used in mountaineering when setting up camp with tent-pegs. One will knock tent-pegs into the ground to a particular level so that the tent stays upright. Tent pegs are usually a metal or wooden pin or wooden leg that look like small markers.
To peg can also mean to throw. This slang phrase refers to a hard throw or lob, usually in reference to throwing missiles at a target. This is an informal use of the word. Peg is also used in sports like baseball and card games to mean to mark a score with pegs. If someone reached second base, scorekeepers would mark that with pegs.
In British English, the word peg means to work steadily, and can be used for long term projects and goals. Someone might peg away at their job on speculation that they might get promoted. Peg can also mean to exceed the maximum value on a gauge like a speedometer.
According to Urban Dictionary, the term peg is also a slang term for when a woman uses a strap on dildo to penetrate her male partner or boyfriend in the anus to stimulate the prostate for orgasm. This is a type of anal sex, and this slang phrase is one of a few informal terms the word peg can mean. This term was coined by sex advice columnist Dan Savage.
Finally, according to Investopedia, pegging is used in the finance and market operations world to refer to controlling a country’s currency rate by tying it to another country’s currency or basket of currencies. This also refers to manipulating the price of a commodity or underlying asset prior to the option expiring. Many companies peg currency by pegging to the US dollar via a central bank. Countries decide to maintain a currency peg to keep their currencies stable, like how the Swiss franc was pegged to the euro. A pegged exchange rate is also considered a fixed exchange rate.
What is the origin of the word peg?
According to Etymonline, the verb peg has been used since the 1590s to mean to fasten with a peg or drive pegs into something. It has been used since 1882 to mean to fix a market price, and meaning to identify or classify since 1920. The term square peg in a round hold has been used to mean to be inappropriate for a situation since 1836. The term to take someone down a peg has been used since the 1580s, but the original literal sense is unknown. The term peg leg has been used since 1765. The noun peg has been used since the mid-15th century as the Middle English pegge. This comes from the Middle Dutch pegge or a similar Low German word that also spurred the Low German pigge, German Pegel, Middle Dutch pegel, and Dutch peil. These are of unknown origin, but are possibly of Proto-Indo-European roots.
How can the word pegged be used in a sentence?
The word pegged can be used in a plethora of different ways in sentences in the English language since it has such a variety of definitions. Using words in a sentence is a great way to add them to your vocabulary and memorize their definitions. You can also try making flashcards or quizzes to test your knowledge of different words and their various definitions. Try using this word of the day in a sentence today! Below are several examples of pegged to get your started.
I pegged the nail into the wall to hang up my favorite painting, despite the resident advisor telling us to only use tape.
We pegged the tent into the ground just as the sun began to set. Then, we set up our fire and roasted marshmallows.
I slowly pegged away at my history project starting on the first day of school. While everyone else was panicked about finishing it in a week, I just had to make a couple of final tweaks.
I got pegged in the head with a baseball in gym class yesterday and had to go to the hospital for a possible concussion. Thankfully, I was fine and just have a lump on my head.
I heard they tried to spice up their sex life and she pegged her boyfriend– it didn’t go well.
Overall, the word pegged means a variety of different definitions, from slang terms to British terms and more. If you decide to use pegged in a sentence, make sure the context is clear.
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