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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

tongue en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • /tɒŋɡ/ (Northern-England)
  • /tʌŋ/ (Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
  • (London) audio
  • /tɐŋ/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
  • (California) audio
  • /tʊŋɡ/ (Northern-England)

Etymology

From Middle English tongue, a late spelling of tong(e), tung(e), from Old English tunge, from Proto-West Germanic *tungā (“tongue”), from Proto-Germanic *tungǭ (“tongue”), from Proto-Indo-European *dn̥ǵʰwéh₂s (“tongue”). Doublet of langue and lingua. Cognates Germanic: West Frisian tonge, Dutch tong, Luxembourgish Zong, German Zunge, Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, and Norwegian Nynorsk tunge, Faroese, Icelandic, and Swedish tunga, Gothic 𐍄𐌿𐌲𐌲𐍉 (tuggō). Italic: Asturian and Catalan llengua, Aragonese luenga, French langue, Galician, Italian, and Latin lingua, Leonese llingua, Mirandese lhéngua, Portuguese língua, Spanish lengua. Celtic: Irish teanga. Slavic: Belarusian and Russian язык (jazyk), Bulgarian ези́к (ezík), Czech and Slovak jazyk, Macedonian јазик (jazik), Polish język, Serbo-Croatian jèzik (“tongue”), Slovene jézik, Ukrainian язи́к (jazýk). Indo-Iranic: Persian زبان (zabân), Sanskrit जि॒ह्वा (jihvā́). The expected modern spelling, both phonetically and etymologically, would be tung. Using ⟨on⟩ for ⟨un⟩ was fairly common in Middle English; compare e.g. yong (“young”). The final ⟨gue⟩ arose to prevent tonge being misread with a soft /dʒ/. However, this spelling only became common at a time when the final ⟨e⟩ was already largely silent, so it is not clear why it was not simply dropped instead. Perhaps the spelling was influenced directly by French langue (“tongue”).

Meanings

  1. (countable, uncountable) The flexible muscular organ in the mouth that is used to move food around, for tasting and that is moved into various positions to modify the flow of air from the lungs in order to produce different sounds in speech.
    • But lering and lurking here and there like ſpies, c. 1515–1516, published 1568, John Skelton, Againſt venemous tongues enpoyſoned with ſclaunder and falſe detractions &c.
  2. (countable, uncountable) Such an organ, as taken from animals and used for food (especially from cows).
    • However you eat them, tongue and chicken and new bread are very good things, and no one minds being sprinkled a little with soda-water on a really fine hot day. 1902, E. Nesbit, chapter 4, in Five Children and It, New York: Dodd, Mead, published 1905, page 136:
    • cold tongue with mustard
  3. (countable, uncountable) Any similar organ, such as the lingual ribbon, or odontophore, of a mollusk; the proboscis of a moth or butterfly; or the lingua of an insect.
  4. (countable, metonymically, uncountable) A language.
    • He was speaking in his native tongue.
    • […] that great Towre, which is so much renownd For tongues confusion in holie writ, 1591, Ed[mund] Sp[enser], “The Ruines of Time”, in Complaints. Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie. […], London: […] William Ponsonbie, […], →OCLC:
    • When I pointed to any thing, she told me the Name of it in her own Tongue, so that in a few Days I was able to call for whatever I had a mind to. 1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, (please specify |part=I to IV), page [178]:
    • My grandfather, accustomed to the multifarious conjugations of ancient Greek verbs, had found English, for all its incoherence, a relatively simple tongue to master. 2002, Jeffrey Eugenides, Middlesex, New York: Picador, Book 2, p. 99:
    • Many of them come from distant places and although they speak your tongue they are ignorant of your customs. 1958 June 17, Chinua Achebe, chapter 23, in Things Fall Apart, New York, N.Y.: Astor-Honor, published 1959, →OCLC, part 2, page 200:
    • To dwell on a heath without studying its meanings was like wedding a foreigner without learning his tongue. 1878 January–December, Thomas Hardy, chapter 7, in The Return of the Native […], volume I, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], published 1878, →OCLC:
    • If you do not speak English I am at your disposal with 187 other languages along with their various dialects and sub-tongues. 1956, Cyril Hume, Forbidden Planet, spoken by Robby the Robot:
    • “You should read Spanish,” he said. “It is a noble tongue. […]” 1915, W[illiam] Somerset Maugham, chapter LXXXVI, in Of Human Bondage, New York, N.Y.: George H[enry] Doran Company, →OCLC:
  5. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) The speakers of a language, collectively.
    • I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Isaiah 66:18:
  6. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) A voice, (the distinctive sound of a person's speech); accent (distinctive manner of pronouncing a language).
    • Who are you? Tell me, for more certainty, Albeit I’ll swear that I do know your tongue. c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene vi]:
    • [...] one of [the prisoners], whom by his tongue I knew to be a Scotchman, lamented most piteously [...] 1748, [Tobias Smollett], chapter 21, in The Adventures of Roderick Random. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: […] [William Strahan] for J[ohn] Osborn […], →OCLC, page 173:
  7. (countable, uncountable) A manner of speaking, often habitually.
    • "Well," said he, at last, "your tongue is bold; but I am no unfriend to plainness [...]" 1886 May 1 – July 31, Robert Louis Stevenson, “The Death of the Red Fox”, in Kidnapped, being Memoirs of the Adventures of David Balfour in the Year 1751: […], London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 1886, →OCLC, page 162:
    • She can have a sharp tongue when she's annoyed.
    • [...] his wicked way of Living, his prophane Tongue, and his Contempt of Religion, had made him not very well receiv’d [...] 1715, Daniel Defoe, The Family Instructor, London: Eman. Matthews, Volume 1, Part 2, Dialogue 2, p. 211:
    • [...] Frank Marcus’ Sister George, technically a quite ordinary comedy in the old style [...] was remarkable [...] for the frank tongue of its Lesbians [...] 1972, Hortense Calisher, Herself, New York: Arbor House, Part 4, p. 369:
    • Al maters wel pondred and wel to be regarded, How ſhuld a fals lying tung then be rewarded? c. 1515–1516, published 1568, John Skelton, Againſt venemous tongues enpoyſoned with ſclaunder and falſe detractions &c.
    • I’m afraid I’ve inherited my uncle’s tongue and my mother’s want of tact. 1935, Dorothy L. Sayers, chapter 8, in Gaudy Night, London: New English Library, published 1970, page 205:
    • Samuel had no equal for soothing hysteria and bringing quiet to a frightened child. It was the sweetness of his tongue and the tenderness of his soul. 1952, John Steinbeck, East of Eden, London: Heinemann, Part 1, Chapter 2, p. 8:
  8. (countable, plural-normally, uncountable) A person speaking in a specified manner.
    • I know that we must keep apart for a long while; cruel tongues would force us apart, if nothing else did. 1860, George Eliot, The Mill on the Floss, Book 7, Chapter 3:
    • 2007, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Wizard of the Crow, New York: Knopf Doubleday, Book 4, p. 592, … the drunk, who had been a permanent fixture in that bar, changed location and thereafter moved from bar to bar, saying to inquisitive tongues, Too long a stay in one seat tires the buttocks.
    • […] it was obvious to his listeners that Pittypat, in his mind, was still a plump and charming miss of sixteen who must be sheltered against evil tongues. 1936 June 30, Margaret Mitchell, chapter XXX, in Gone with the Wind, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company, →OCLC:
  9. (countable, uncountable) The power of articulate utterance; speech generally.
    • Parrots imitating Human Tongue 1717, “The Story of Pygmalion and the Statue”, in John Dryden, transl., Ovid’s Metamorphoses in fifteen books, London: Jacob Tonson, page 344:
    • I was so overwhelmed my tongue deserted me.
  10. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) Discourse; the fluency of speech or expression.
  11. (obsolete, uncountable) Discourse; fluency of speech or expression.
    • “[...] this Mr. Grandcourt has wonderful little tongue. Everything must be done dummy-like without his ordering.” “Then he’s the more whip, I doubt,” said Mrs. Girdle. “She’s got tongue enough, I warrant her [...]” 1876, George Eliot [pseudonym; Mary Ann Evans], chapter XXXI, in Daniel Deronda, volume II, Edinburgh; London: William Blackwood and Sons, →OCLC, book IV (Gwendolen Gets Her Choice), page 275:
    • [...] fellows, soldiers, friends, Better consider what you have to do Than I, that have not well the gift of tongue, Can lift your blood up with persuasion. c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
    • Much Tongue, and much Judgment seldom go together, for Talking and Thinking are Two Quite Differing Faculties, 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC:
  12. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) Honorable discourse; eulogy.
    • She was born noble; let that title find her A private grave, but neither tongue nor honour! c. 1607–1621, Francis Beaumont, John Fletcher, Philip Massinger, “The Tragedy of Thierry and Theodoret”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1679, →OCLC, Act V, (please specify the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
  13. (countable, in-plural, often, uncountable) Glossolalia.
    • Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Corinthians 13:8:
  14. (countable, uncountable) In a shoe, the flap of material that goes between the laces and the foot (so called because it resembles a tongue in the mouth).
    • I caught a glimpse of a brown boot, the tongue flapping, the sole tied on with string. 1990, J. M. Coetzee, chapter 3, in Age of Iron, New York: Random House, page 96:
    • [...] her low-heeled shoes had flat fringed tongues to them—the kind of shoes you expected to see on a golf-course, or a Scottish highland, somewhere expensively hearty like that. 2006, Sarah Waters, chapter 2, in The Night Watch, London: Virago, page 53:
  15. (countable, uncountable) Any large or long physical protrusion on an automotive or machine part or any other part that fits into a long groove on another part.
  16. (countable, uncountable) A projection, or slender appendage or fixture.
    • the tongue of a buckle, or of a balance
  17. (countable, uncountable) A long, narrow strip of land, projecting from the mainland into a sea or lake.
    • On one side was a coral reef; on the other a low tongue of land, covered with mangrove thickets that grew out into the water. 1851, Herman Melville, Moby-Dick, Chapter 12:
  18. (countable, uncountable) The pole of a towed or drawn vehicle or farm implement (e.g., trailer, cart, plow, harrow), by which it is pulled; for example, the pole of an ox cart, to the end of which the oxen are yoked.
    • Far to the right, where the main pile sloped out, his cart reared tongue upward, like a plow. 1986, Hortense Calisher, The Bobby-Soxer, Garden City, NY: Doubleday, page 91:
  19. (countable, uncountable) The clapper of a bell.
    • [...] the bell clanged so loud that he could hear the iron tongue clapping against the metal sides each time it swung to and fro [...] 1940, Richard Wright, Native Son, London: Jonathan Cape, Book 2, p. 156:
    • The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve: c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “A Midsommer Nights Dreame”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:
  20. (countable, figuratively, uncountable) An individual point of flame from a fire.
    • Now, in this decadent age the art of fire-making had been altogether forgotten on the earth. The red tongues that went licking up my heap of wood were an altogether new and strange thing to Weena. 1895, H. G. Wells, chapter XI, in The Time Machine:
    • Then up a steep and dark and narrow stair We wound, until the torches’ fiery tongue Amid the gushing day beamless and pallid hung. 1818, Percy Bysshe Shelley, The Revolt of Islam, London: C. and J. Ollier, Canto 3, stanza 13, p. 63:
  21. (countable, uncountable) A small sole (type of fish).
  22. (countable, uncountable) A short piece of rope spliced into the upper part of standing backstays, etc.; also, the upper main piece of a mast composed of several pieces.
  23. (countable, uncountable) A reed.
  24. (countable, uncountable) A division of formation; A layer or member of a formation that pinches out in one direction.
  25. (countable, qualifier:flags, uncountable) The middle protrusion of a triple-tailed flag.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
tonge alternative, obsolete lexicographic
tunge alternative, obsolete lexicographic
tung alternative, obsolete lexicographic
toung alternative, obsolete lexicographic
tounge alternative, obsolete lexicographic
toongue alternative, obsolete lexicographic
toong alternative, obsolete lexicographic
toungue alternative, obsolete lexicographic
tong alternative, obsolete lexicographic
tongues Number=Plur lexicographic

Descendants

tongo · tang · tang · tang · tang · tang

Relateds

👅

Synonyms

lingua · lingo · speaking in tongues · mouth · glossa · language · idiom

Translations (533)

ny lilime (organ) · bn জিহ্বা (organ) · sh јѐзик (organ) · orh iŋi (organ) · ar لسان (organ) · ps ژبه (organ) · xda dhallung (organ) · ks زَبان (organ) · rop tang (organ) · sah тыл (organ) · nn tunge (organ) · id lidah (organ) · ar لسان (organ) · krl kieli (organ) · ba тел (organ) · ak tɛkrɛma (organ) · cy clust (flap in a shoe) · smn njuovčâ (organ) · sk jazyk (flap in a shoe) · yox(organ) · mnp(organ) · hi जीभ (organ) · fr timon (pole of a vehicle) · min lidah (organ) · kaw ilat (organ) · pap lenga (organ) · fi lieska (point of flame) · fi kieli (a projection that fits into a slot) · fi iltti (flap in a shoe) · ln lolémo (organ) · oaa сину (organ) · vot čeeli (organ) · kk тіл (organ) · hu nyelv (organ) · yoi(organ) · fi aisa (pole of a vehicle) · vmw nlumi (organ) · fi kieli (obsolete: speakers of a language collectively) · kyh ápriih (organ) · ur لِسان (organ) · mn хэл (organ) · mi teremū (a projection that fits into a slot) · wa linwe (organ) · gv çhengey (organ) · ilo ᜇᜒᜎ (organ) · it timone (pole of a vehicle) · dlg тыл (organ) · haw lelo (organ) · prn luzuk (organ) · lv mēle (organ) · pl język (flap in a shoe) · jul च्येला (organ) · tly zıvon (organ) · gdo мицци (organ) · aqc мац (organ) · ttt zuhun (organ) · sgs lėižovis (organ) · bal زوان (organ) · tyv дыл (organ) · ti ልሳን (organ) · kl oqaq (organ) · ar لسان (organ) · duu pvlai (organ) · mzs língu (organ) · evn чолӣ (organ) · su ᮄᮜᮒ᮪ (organ) · avd زووان (organ) · pox jǫzĕk (organ) · mfe lalang (organ) · nb tunge (organ) · sw ulimi (organ) · kr tǝlam (organ) · ccc menu (organ) · tcy ಜಿಹ್ವೆ (organ) · mrw dila' (organ) · tg лисон (organ) · gd teanga (organ) · bxd ʃa⁵⁵ (organ) · evn инни (organ) · ruq limbă (organ) · pt língua (flap in a shoe) · lt liežuvis (organ) · chn lalang (organ) · sg mëngä (organ) · ja 舌革 (flap in a shoe) · yo ahọ́n (organ) · ta நாவு (organ) · wuu 舌頭 /舌头 (organ) · scn lingua (organ) · el γλώσσα (organ) · trm ǰip (organ) · mnc ᡳᠯᡝᠩᡤᡠ (organ) · ml നാക്ക് (organ) · rmt jib (organ) · aho 𑜎𑜢𑜃𑜫 (organ) · sk jazyk (organ) · zdj louha (organ) · ceb dila (flap in a shoe) · nci nenepilli (organ) · ka ენა (organ) · rm lieunga (organ) · ln lolemu (organ) · ask žū (organ) · bsh dić (organ) · mhr йылме (organ) · os ӕвзаг (organ) · hu 𐳚𐳉𐳖𐳮 (𐳚𐳉𐳖𐳮) (organ) · ckb زمان (organ) · sl jêzik (organ) · grc γλῶττα (organ) · pl ozór (organ) · vmb jalnggulay (organ) · caq litāk (organ) · it lingua (organ) · lmo lingua (organ) · yox(organ) · arc ܠܫܢܐ (organ) · zh(organ) · ykg ванар (organ) · fr langue (organ) · eo lango (organ) · sat ᱟᱞᱟᱝ (organ) · de Zunge (organ) · egl längua (organ) · pcc linx (organ) · gez ልስሳን (organ) · bal زبان (organ) · gu જીભ (organ) · yue(organ) · te నాలుక (organ) · et keel (organ) · yag lan (organ) · xdq луццу́м (organ) · be язы́к (organ) · so 𐒋𐒖𐒇𐒇𐒖𐒁 (organ) · xal келн (organ) · cs jazyk (flap in a shoe) · lg olulimi (organ) · ryu(organ) · ksw ပျ့ၤ (organ) · so carrab (organ) · rif ires (organ) · tpi tang (organ) · bno rila (organ) · fi kieli (large or long physical protrusion) · mrj йӹлмӹ (organ) · io langeto (flap in a shoe) · uk язи́к (organ) · ist lèngua (organ) · br teod (organ) · lad lengua (organ) · xug(organ) · izh keeli (organ) · szl jynzyk (organ) · shu لسان (organ) · gl lingua (organ) · wyi jâllin (organ) · tk dil (organ) · tcs tang (organ) · af tong (organ) · luo lep (organ) · tzm ⵉⵍⵙ (organ) · gan 舌頭 /舌头 (organ) · la lingua (organ) · pt língua (organ) · fr languette (flap in a shoe) · bua хэлэн (organ) · fi kieleke (projecting strip of land) · tig ልሳን (organ) · yue(organ) · lo ລີ້ນ (organ) · mt lsien (organ) · zh 喙舌 (organ) · fi puhe (uncountable: discourse, fluency of speech) · xnb ʼavasʉ (organ) · hy լեզվակ (flap in a shoe) · rgn lèngva (organ) · cy tafod (organ) · lzz ნენა (organ) · ktu ludimi (organ) · mtq lãi (organ) · fi puhetapa (manner of speaking) · blk ဖြေ (organ) · fo tunga (organ) · grc γλῶσσα (organ) · rsk язик (organ) · zu ulimi class 11/10 (organ) · om arraba (organ) · lki زوان (organ) · nah nenepilli (organ) · lad aluenga (organ) · te జిహ్వ (organ) · tt тел (organ) · hrx Zung (organ) · tl ᜇᜒᜎ (organ) · lmw léttip (organ) · cdo 喙舌 (organ) · sv plös (flap in a shoe) · ckb زمان (flap in a shoe) · ms lisan (organ) · mk јазик (organ) · fa لِسان (organ) · kjj мицӏ (organ) · ga cailín dearg (organ) · hy լեզու (organ) · kld thalay (organ) · bwc ululimi class 11 (organ) · orv ꙗзꙑкъ (organ) · ist laèngua (organ) · ryn(organ) · shh ai'go (organ) · sv tunga (organ) · yao lulumi (organ) · iu ᐅᖃᖅ (organ) · cop ⲗⲁⲥ (organ) · es argüendero (organ) · nl tong (flap in a shoe) · ab абз (organ) · udi муз (organ) · av мацӏ (organ) · ceb dila (organ) · syl ꠎꠤꠙ꠆ꠞꠣ (organ) · csb jãzëk (organ) · haw elelo (organ) · zh шәту (organ) · khv мец (organ) · tet nanal (organ) · sa लोला (organ) · it linguetta (flap in a shoe) · ha harshe (organ) · gun apekũ (organ) · as জিভা (organ) · mba dila (organ) · eu mihi (organ) · gug(organ) · ar لِسَان (organ) · mvi(organ) · az dil (organ) · dlm langa (organ) · zom lei (organ) · es lengua (organ) · ii ꉐꆂ (organ) · bug lila (organ) · bem ululimi (organ) · tik ɗimɔꞌ (organ) · ur جِیبھ (organ) · vec łéngua (organ) · crh til (organ) · amm isauno (organ) · tl dila (organ) · gd teanga (flap in a shoe) · haw alelo (organ) · bo ལྕེ (organ) · tkn(organ) · sw ulimi (flap in a shoe) · ams(organ) · ckt йиԓыйиԓ (organ) · bni lolemu (organ) · kum тил (organ) · ja タン (flap in a shoe) · ibl shila (organ) · txb kantwo (organ) · cak aq' (organ) · is tunga á skó (flap in a shoe) · ms lidah kasut (flap in a shoe) · hss lešen (organ) · zza zıwan (diq) (organ) · nmb nəm' (organ) · fa زَبان (organ) · ro limbă (flap in a shoe) · is tunga (flap in a shoe) · bg ези́к (organ) · skb ลีน (organ) · ht lang (organ) · cs jazyk (organ) · fa لِسَان (organ) · iu ᐅᖃᒃ (organ) · nap lengua (organ) · fy tonge (organ) · sa रसना (organ) · cy balog (large or long physical protrusion) · tr dil (organ) · akl dila' (organ) · nhn nenepilli (organ) · is tunga (organ) · okn(organ) · mdf кяль (organ) · okn(organ) · vi lưỡi (organ) · da tunge (organ) · kzg(organ) · zh 舌頭 /舌头 (organ) · sjd ню̄ххчемь (organ) · srn tongo (organ) · clt palyi (organ) · qu qallu (organ) · bh जीभ (organ) · hi रसना (organ) · hsn 舌子 (organ) · io lango (organ) · bo ལྗགས (organ) · fa زَبَان (organ) · ctd leii (organ) · lnj lan (organ) · jv ꦲꦶꦭꦠ꧀ (organ) · nay tallanggi (organ) · pdt Tung (nds) (organ) · tum lulimi (organ) · oj ᐃᓐᑌᓇᓂᐤ (organ) · sq gu (organ) · shn လိၼ်ႉ (organ) · ast llingua (organ) · ckt йиԓииԓ (organ) · mdh dila (organ) · gld сиӈму (organ) · cu ѩзꙑкъ (organ) · kap миц (organ) · wo làmmiñ (organ) · xsr ལྕེ་ལ (organ) · cv чӗлхе (organ) · eee lin³ (organ) · pl język (organ) · zh 鞋拔 (flap in a shoe) · si දිව (organ) · ium mbietc (organ) · vro kiil' (organ) · zku tadlanya (organ) · sma njoektjeme (organ) · bdk мез (organ) · dsb jězyk (organ) · ru язычо́к (flap in a shoe) · ja(organ) · is skótunga (flap in a shoe) · bg ези́к (flap in a shoe) · ee aɖe (organ) · fi kieli (any similar organ) · su ᮜᮦᮒᮂ (organ) · uz til (organ) · mak lila (organ) · txg 𗢯 (organ) · yue 舌頭 /舌头 (organ) · zea tonge (organ) · kwk k̓a̱la̱m (organ) · tay hmali (organ) · ro limbă (organ) · mns-nor не̄лум (organ) · ja べろ (organ) · ms lidah (organ) · rup limbã (roa-rup) (organ) · de Zunge (flap in a shoe) · rom ćhib (organ) · pms lenga (organ) · an luenga (organ) · cy balog (a projection that fits into a slot) · zh 舌頭 /舌头 (organ) · st leleme (organ) · mwl lhéngua (organ) · roa-tar lènga (organ) · cu ⱗⰸⱏⰹⰽⱏ (organ) · enm tonge (organ) · km អណ្ដាត (organ) · ky тил (organ) · fi kieli (food) · rkt জিভা (organ) · yi צונג (organ) · ia lingua (organ) · ill dila' (organ) · pi jivhā (organ) · lij léngoa (organ) · frr Tunge (organ) · xug(organ) · acm لسان (organ) · fi kieli (manner of speaking) · br teodoù (organ) · khi-kun tɛri (organ) · ang tunge (organ) · sid arrawo (organ) · blz sila' (organ) · ca llengua (organ) · hsb jazyk (organ) · ext luenga (organ) · stq Tunge (organ) · yai зивок (organ) · oc lenga (organ) · am ልሳን (organ) · sa जिह्वा (organ) · ur زُبان (organ) · got 𐍄𐌿𐌲𐌲𐍉 (organ) · gez ልሳን (organ) · otd jola (organ) · xto käntu (organ) · ne जिब्रो (organ) · yur 'n-eephl (organ) · lad לינגוה (organ) · hak 舌嫲 (organ) · klr लेम (organ) · pdc Zung (organ) · es timón (pole of a vehicle) · fo tunga (flap in a shoe) · cbk lenggwa (organ) · mn ᠬᠡᠯᠡ (organ) · ta நா (organ) · bn জবান (organ) · no tunge (flap in a shoe) · orv ѧзꙑкъ (organ) · fi puhe (obsolete: voice — see also voice) · za linx (organ) · fi kampela (type of fish) · ani мицӏцӏи (organ) · lbe маз (organ) · nv atsooʼ (organ) · hi लिसान (organ) · sh jèzik (organ) · niu alelo (organ) · tew hän (organ) · fi urospontti (large or long physical protrusion) · fi kieli (flap in a shoe) · ur زَبان (organ) · yua aak’ (organ) · vo lineg (organ) · fi puhe (manner of speaking) · ug تىل (organ) · rap ꞌarero (organ) · zdj ulime (organ) · khb ᦟᦲᧃᧉ (organ) · kky nganhdhaar (organ) · luy olurimi (organ) · sce kielien (organ) · kgp nũnẽ (organ) · ssy anrab (organ) · jje(organ) · sc limba (organ) · fur lenghe (organ) · mzn زوون (organ) · bn জিব (organ) · wmw lulimi (organ) · my လျှာ (organ) · es lengüeta (flap in a shoe) · ar لسان (organ) · or ଜିଭ (organ) · de Lasche (flap in a shoe) · fi kieli (clapper of a bell) · lad אלואינגה (organ) · nrf langue (organ) · nus lɛp (organ) · msk dila (organ) · iu ᐊᓕᑦᑑᑦ (organ) · cjy 舌頭 /舌头 (organ) · tab мелз (organ) · nl tong (organ) · pwn sema (organ) · fi kärsä (proboscis) (any similar organ) · th ชิวหา (organ) · arn dungun (organ) · sv tunga (flap in a shoe) · nwy darsunke (organ) · mww nplaig (organ) · rys(organ) · kmr ziman (organ) · anc lis (organ) · qu gallu (organ) · nko ɔdandʋ (organ) · th ลิ้น (organ) · ist lengua (organ) · sa जुहू (organ) · ar لسان (organ) · njo-jgl temeli (organ) · wym cung (organ) · blc tixca (organ) · pac ntaq (organ) · el γλώσσα (flap in a shoe) · tg забон (organ) · rue язы́к (organ) · sq gjuhë (organ) · aer alenye (organ) · ce мотт (organ) · pa ਜੀਭ (organ) · mr जीभ (organ) · hi जिह्वा (organ) · ltg mēle (organ) · dar лезми (organ) · mi arero (organ) · hil dila (organ) · tr dil (flap in a shoe) · zh 舌子 (organ) · sco tung (organ) · khi-kun tɛni (organ) · udm кыл (organ) · myv кель (organ) · inh мотт (organ) · aii ܠܸܫܵܢܵܐ (organ) · ko(organ) · hi ज़बान (organ) · aht ketsulaʼ (flap in a shoe) · shh a͟ikon (organ) · ilo dila (organ) · xrn elep (organ) · ga teanga (organ) · bqt alɨm (organ) · ain チャルンペ (organ)

tongue en · VERB

Pronunciation

  • /tɒŋɡ/ (Northern-England)
  • /tʌŋ/ (Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
  • (London) audio
  • /tɐŋ/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
  • (California) audio
  • /tʊŋɡ/ (Northern-England)

Etymology

From Middle English tongue, a late spelling of tong(e), tung(e), from Old English tunge, from Proto-West Germanic *tungā (“tongue”), from Proto-Germanic *tungǭ (“tongue”), from Proto-Indo-European *dn̥ǵʰwéh₂s (“tongue”). Doublet of langue and lingua. Cognates Germanic: West Frisian tonge, Dutch tong, Luxembourgish Zong, German Zunge, Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, and Norwegian Nynorsk tunge, Faroese, Icelandic, and Swedish tunga, Gothic 𐍄𐌿𐌲𐌲𐍉 (tuggō). Italic: Asturian and Catalan llengua, Aragonese luenga, French langue, Galician, Italian, and Latin lingua, Leonese llingua, Mirandese lhéngua, Portuguese língua, Spanish lengua. Celtic: Irish teanga. Slavic: Belarusian and Russian язык (jazyk), Bulgarian ези́к (ezík), Czech and Slovak jazyk, Macedonian јазик (jazik), Polish język, Serbo-Croatian jèzik (“tongue”), Slovene jézik, Ukrainian язи́к (jazýk). Indo-Iranic: Persian زبان (zabân), Sanskrit जि॒ह्वा (jihvā́). The expected modern spelling, both phonetically and etymologically, would be tung. Using ⟨on⟩ for ⟨un⟩ was fairly common in Middle English; compare e.g. yong (“young”). The final ⟨gue⟩ arose to prevent tonge being misread with a soft /dʒ/. However, this spelling only became common at a time when the final ⟨e⟩ was already largely silent, so it is not clear why it was not simply dropped instead. Perhaps the spelling was influenced directly by French langue (“tongue”).

Meanings

  1. (ambitransitive) On a wind instrument, to articulate a note by starting the air with a tap of the tongue, as though by speaking a 'd' or 't' sound (alveolar plosive).
    • Playing wind instruments involves tonguing on the reed or mouthpiece.
  2. (transitive) To manipulate with the tongue.
    • [T]he cattle tongued at the damp grass, licking rather than grazing. […] 1985, Benjamin Capps, The Trail to Ogallala, TCU Press, →ISBN, page 88:
  3. (slang, sometimes, transitive, vulgar) To lick, penetrate or manipulate with the tongue during flirting or oral sex.
    • I was tonguing her ear and serenading her in a passionate whisper, mimicking Elvis, mimicking Joey. 1986 May 6, T.C. Boyle, Greasy Lake and Other Stories, Penguin, →ISBN:
    • Hot I tongued her. She kissed me. I was kissed. All yielding she tossed my hair. Kissed, she kissed me. 1922 February 2, James Joyce, “[8]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company […], →OCLC:
    • I was tonguing her sweet spot. "Shit, that's nice." Her breaths got faster as we locked into a delicious rhythm that was hitting my clit just right. 2024 October 29, Adriana Herrera, Heat and Run: A Steamy F/F/F Omegaverse Novella, Adriana Herrera:
  4. To protrude in relatively long, narrow sections.
    • a soil horizon that tongues into clay
  5. To join by means of a tongue and groove.
    • to tongue boards together
  6. (intransitive, obsolete) To talk; to prate.
  7. (obsolete, transitive) To speak; to utter.
    • ’Tis still a dream, or else such stuff as madmen Tongue and brain not; 1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iv]:
  8. (obsolete, transitive) To chide; to scold.
    • How might she tongue me! c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv]:
  9. (archaic, transitive) To flense

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
tounge alternative, obsolete lexicographic
toong alternative, obsolete lexicographic
tung alternative, obsolete lexicographic
tong alternative, obsolete lexicographic
toung alternative, obsolete lexicographic
tongued Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
tongued Tense=Past lexicographic
toungue alternative, obsolete lexicographic
tongues Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
tonge alternative, obsolete lexicographic
toongue alternative, obsolete lexicographic
tonguing Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
tunge alternative, obsolete lexicographic

Deriveds

tongue grafting (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · roll off the tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-and-groove pliers (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · retracted tongue root (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · oxtongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue kiss (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · wicked tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguesore (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · smoothtongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · blab-tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · trip from the tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · on one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue sushi (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · speak with a forked tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · birthtongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · bluetongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · smooth-tongued (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue tie (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguefish (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguer (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · the tongue wounds more than a lance (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · put a civil tongue in one's mouth (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · black hairy tongue syndrome (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguely (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · devil's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · sharp-tongued (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-fence (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · whet one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · roll from the tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · with one's tongue in one's cheek (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · the tongue of scandal (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongueness (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue depressor (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue brush (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · burning tongue syndrome (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · silver-tongued (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · speak in tongues (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue toast (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · earth tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · guard one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · bird's-tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · watch one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · lark's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · slip of the tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongueship (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue clacker (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-shell (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguetip (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue rolling (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · double-tonguing (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · two-tongued (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguefuck (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · loose tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-punch (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue bone (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · strawberry tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-in-cheek (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · ice tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguejob (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · Chinese hound's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · geographic tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue scraper (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · gift of tongues (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-clacker (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue long enough to cut one's own throat (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · root of the tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue technology (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue punch (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · have something on the tip of one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue cleaner (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · bite one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · painted drop tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue drum (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · red strawberry tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · loosen someone's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · put a civil tongue in one's head (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · adder's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue sole (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · silver tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · take one's tongue out of someone's ass (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · dragon tongue bean (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · flamingo tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue wrestle (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue twister (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · twi-tongued (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-fencer (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · sharp end of one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue sarnie (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-and-groove (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · roll from one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · lose one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-lash (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue firmly in cheek (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-shaped (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · mother-in-law's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · wag one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · keep a civil tongue in one's mouth (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · forked tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · deer's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · put one's tongue out (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguage (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue map (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · slip off someone's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · hound's-tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue pillar (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · stick one's tongue out (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · disc-tongued frog (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-lolling bit (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue long enough to cut one's throat (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-boring (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · advanced tongue root (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguester (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-in-chic (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · cat got someone's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · goose tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · anti-tongues (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue worm (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · roll off one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · jury of half-tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · hound's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · acid-tongued (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · speaking in tongues (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · thick tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongueful (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · keep a civil tongue in one's head (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · adder's-tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-fencing (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-pad (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · cloverleaf tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · dog's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · trip off the tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · native tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · run from the tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · keep a civil tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · law of the tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · flutter-tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · double-tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · white tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · venomous-tongued (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue stone (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · keep a quiet tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · flutter tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguey (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · serpent's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · mother-tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · mother tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-tie (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · blue-tongued skink (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongueworm (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · thick-tongued (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · blue-tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · hold one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · beardtongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue troopers (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · hart's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-tied (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-lashing (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguefucker (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · drop-tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · hartstongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue clacking (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · click one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · foreign tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguework (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue bath (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongueman (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · long-tongued (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue grass (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · bonytongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · cluck one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguy (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · double-tongued (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · vaper's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguelike (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-work (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · with tongue in cheek (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · run off the tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · blabtongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongueless (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue thrust (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · goosetongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · milk tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue lashing (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongues-speaker (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue run away with one (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · woman's tongue tree (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · betongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · loosen one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · give tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · lamb's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · cat's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · beef tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · the rough side of one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguectomy (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue wrestling (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · birth-tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · untongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · father tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · on the tip of one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguelet (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · sharp tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · ox tongue spear (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · houndstongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguedness (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · raspberry tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguedom (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · honey-tongued (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · blue-tongue lizard (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · outtongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue ring (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · intertongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue and groove (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · civil tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tonguing (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue in cheek (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · loose-tongued (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · subtongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-bath (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue in chic (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · birth tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · bridle one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · cat tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-twister (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue-lolling (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · find one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · snake's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · earth-tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · stick out one's tongue (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · tongue sandwich (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue) · lay one's tongue to (Terms derived from the noun or verb tongue)

Relateds

glossal · linguiform · linguo- · lingual · gloss-