mug

[ muhg ]

noun

1. a drinking cup, usually cylindrical in shape, having a handle, and often of a heavy substance, as earthenware.
2. the quantity it holds.
3. Slang.
   1. the face.
   2. the mouth.
   3. an exaggerated facial expression; grimace, as in acting.
   4. a thug, ruffian, or other criminal.
4. British Slang. a gullible person; dupe; fool.

verb (used with object)

, mugged, mug·ging.

1. to assault or menace, especially with the intention of robbery.
2. Slang. to photograph (a person), especially in compliance with an official or legal requirement.

verb (used without object)

, mugged, mug·ging.

1. Slang. to grimace; exaggerate a facial expression, as in acting.

mug

¹

/ mʌɡ /

noun

1. slang.
   a person's face or mouth

   get your ugly mug out of here!

2. slang.
   a grimace
3. slang.
   a gullible person, esp one who is swindled easily
4. a mug's game
   a worthless activity

verb

1. informal.
   tr to attack or rob (someone) violently
2. slang.
   intr to pull faces or overact, esp in front of a camera

mug

²

/ mʌɡ /

noun

1. a drinking vessel with a handle, usually cylindrical and made of earthenware
2. Also calledmugful the quantity held by a mug or its contents

Word History and Origins

Origin of mug¹

First recorded in 1560–70; probably from Scandinavian; compare Swedish mugg, Norwegian, Danish mugge “drinking cup”; sense “face” apparently transferred from cups adorned with grotesque faces; sense “to assault” from earlier pugilistic slang “to strike in the face, fight”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mug¹

C18: perhaps from mug ¹, since drinking vessels were sometimes modelled into the likeness of a face

Origin of mug²

C16: probably from Scandinavian; compare Swedish mugg

Example Sentences

A University of South Florida professor found the first-ever physical evidence of hallucinogens in an Egyptian mug, validating written records and centuries-old myths of ancient Egyptian rituals and practices.

From Science Daily

"For the first time, we were able to identify all the chemical signatures of the components of the liquid concoction contained in the Tampa Museum of Art's Bes mug, including the plants used by Egyptians, all of which have psychotropic and medicinal properties."

From Science Daily

With a pulverized sample from scraping the inner walls of the vase, the team combined numerous analytical techniques for the first time to uncover what the mug last held.

From Science Daily

The Bes mug is on display now at the Tampa Museum of Art and can be viewed in the exhibition, "Prelude: An Introduction to the Permanent Collection."

From Science Daily

View a 3D model of the Bes mug produced by the USF Institute for Digital Exploration.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• coffee cup
• jug