tongs

[tawngz, tongz] /tɔŋz, tɒŋz/
noun, (usually used with a plural verb)
1.
any of various implements consisting of two arms hinged, pivoted, or otherwise fastened together, for seizing, holding, or lifting something (usually used with pair of).
Origin
see tong1

tong1

[tawng, tong] /tɔŋ, tɒŋ/
noun
1.
tongs.
verb (used with object)
2.
to lift, seize, gather, hold, or handle with tongs, as logs or oysters.
verb (used without object)
3.
to use, or work with, tongs.
Origin
before 900; 1865-70, for def 2; Middle English tong(e) (singular), tongen, tonges (plural), Old English; cognate with Dutch tang, German Zange pair of tongs or pincers; akin to Greek dáknein to bite
Related forms
tonger, noun

tong2

[tawng, tong] /tɔŋ, tɒŋ/
noun
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.
Origin
1880-85, Americanism; < dialectal Chinese (Guangdong) tòhng, akin to Chinese táng meeting hall
Examples from the web for tongs
  • Using tongs and a hot pad, lift rack with jars onto edge of canner.
  • Remove the jars with tongs and then allow to cool overnight.
  • But iron slippers had already been put upon the fire, and they were brought in with tongs, and set before her.
  • But iron slippers had already been put upon the fire, and they were brought in with tongs, and set before her.
  • Transfer the opened clams with a pair of chopsticks or tongs to a warm serving platter and keep warm.
  • The heart leaps at the sight of a waitress, tongs in hand, offering an extra helping of fries.
  • He's the sort to invite everyone over so he can brag about his new satellite dish or his array of spatulas and tongs.
  • Use a pair of long tongs to remove the lobsters when they are ready.
  • Turn the pieces to brown the other side, and then transfer them to a bowl using tongs or a slotted spoon.
  • Have long-handled tongs, a metal fireplace poker and heavy work gloves for building and maintaining campfires.
British Dictionary definitions for tongs

tongs

/tɒŋz/
plural noun
1.
a tool for grasping or lifting, consisting of a hinged, sprung, or pivoted pair of arms or levers, joined at one end Also called pair of tongs
Word Origin
plural of Old English tange; related to Old Saxon tanga, Old High German zanga, Old Norse tong

tong1

/tɒŋ/
verb (transitive)
1.
to gather or seize with tongs
2.
to curl or style (hair) with curling tongs

tong2

/tɒŋ/
noun
1.
(formerly) a Chinese secret society or association, esp one popularly assumed to engage in criminal activities
Word Origin
C20: from Chinese (Cantonese) t'ong meeting place
Word Origin and History for tongs
n.

Old English tange, tang "tongs," from Proto-Germanic *tango (cf. Old Saxon tanga, Old Norse töng, Swedish tång, Old Frisian tange, Middle Dutch tanghe, Dutch tang, Old High German zanga, German Zange), literally "that which bites," from PIE root *dank- "bite" (cf. Sanskrit dasati "biter;" Greek daknein "to bite," dax "biting"). For sense evolution, cf. French mordache "tongs," from mordre "to bite."

Tong

"Chinese secret society," 1883, from Cantonese t'ong "assembly hall."

Idioms and Phrases with tongs

tong

see: hammer and tongs