tong

¹

[ tawng, tong ]

noun

1. tongs.

verb (used with object)

1. to lift, seize, gather, hold, or handle with tongs, as logs or oysters.

verb (used without object)

1. to use, or work with, tongs.

tong

²

[ tawng, tong ]

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.

tong

¹

/ tɒŋ /

verb

1. to gather or seize with tongs
2. to curl or style (hair) with curling tongs

tong

²

/ tɒŋ /

noun

1. (formerly) a Chinese secret society or association, esp one popularly assumed to engage in criminal activities

Other Words From

• tonger noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tong¹

before 900; 1865–70, tong ¹fordef 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

Origin of tong²

1880–85, Americanism; < dialectal Chinese (Guangdong) tòhng, akin to Chinese táng meeting hall

Word History and Origins

Origin of tong¹

C20: from Chinese (Cantonese) t'ong meeting place

Idioms and Phrases

see hammer and tongs .

Example Sentences

The studies have “sparked serious concerns over Beijing’s potential adoption of a first-use strategy and increased nuclear threats, fuelling strong support to significantly boost US nuclear capabilities in response,” says Tong Zhao from think tank Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

From BBC

His mother was born in 1912 in Tong, about three miles from Stornoway, the main town on the isle of Lewis.

From BBC

Mary succeeded her mother at 13 Tong, but it was the smallest of the crofts in Tong.

From BBC

After her marriage to Malcolm MacLeod, they were able to acquire the Smiths' original croft of 5 Tong and move there.

From BBC

Mary Anne Trump's paternal MacLeods came from Vatisker, a few miles further north of Tong.

From BBC