agnail

[ ag-neyl ]

noun

1. hangnail.
2. whitlow.

agnail

/ ˈæɡˌneɪl /

noun

1. another name for hangnail

Word History and Origins

Origin of agnail¹

before 950; Middle English; Old English angnægl, equivalent to ang- tight, hard, painful + nægl corn (on foot), nail

Example Sentences

I am told that an "agnail" was formerly called a "step-mother" in Yorkshire.

From Project Gutenberg

Associated words: gallows gibbet. hanging on. persistence, tenacity, importunity. hangman, n. executioner. hangnail, n. agnail. hang out. project, protrude. hang over. impend, project. hang to. cling. hanker, v. long for, yearn, crave, covet, lust. hankering, n. longing, craving, yearning. haphazard, n. chance, accident, random. happen, v. occur, befall, betide; supervene, intervene. happiness, n. felicity, blessedness, delight, gladness, pleasure, ecstasy, bliss, rapture, merriment, mirth, elation, beatitude, joy.

From Project Gutenberg