tongue

tongue [tuŋ]

n.

[ME tunge < OE, akin to Ger zunge < IE base * dṇĝhū-, tongue > L lingua (OL dingua)]

1. the movable muscular structure attached to the floor of the mouth in most vertebrates: it is an important organ in the ingestion of food, the perception of taste, and, in humans, the articulation of speech sounds

2. an analogous part in invertebrate animals; specif.,

a) a radula

b) the proboscis in certain insects, as bees

3. an animal's tongue used as food

4.

a) the human tongue as the organ of speech

b) ideas expressed by speaking; talk; speech

c) the act or power of speaking

d) a manner or style of speaking, with reference to tone, diction, etc. [a glib tongue]

5.

a) a language or dialect

b) in the Bible, a nation or people speaking a distinct language: Rev. 7:9

6. [pl.] see GLOSSOLALIA

7. the cry of a hunting dog, etc. in sight of game: chiefly in give tongue, to start barking

8. something resembling a tongue in shape, position, movement, or use; specif.,

a) the flap under the laces or strap of a shoe

b) the clapper of a bell

c) the pin of a buckle, etc.

d) the pole of a wagon, etc.

e) the projecting tenon of a tongue-and-groove joint

f) in machines, a projecting flange, rib, etc.

g) a thin strip of flexible material, as cane, that produces a musical sound when vibrated, as in a wind instrument

h) a narrow strip of land, ice, etc. extending into a body of water, an intrusion, etc.

i) a narrow inlet of water

j) a long, narrow flame

k) the pointer of a scale, etc.

vt.

tongued, tonguing

1. Archaic

a) to reproach or scold

b) to speak or say

2. to touch, lick, etc. with the tongue

3.

a) to cut a TONGUE (sense 8e) on or in

b) to join by means of a tongue-and-groove joint

4. Music to play by tonguing: see TONGUING

vi.

1. Rare to talk or talk much

2. to project like a tongue

3. Music to use tonguing: see TONGUING

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find one's tongue

to recover the ability to talk, as after shock or embarrassment

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hold one's tongue

to refrain from speaking

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on everyone's tongue

prevailing as common gossip

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on the tip of someone's tongue or on the tip of the tongue

1. almost said by someone

2. about to be said, esp. because almost but not quite recalled

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speak in tongues

to engage in glossolalia

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(with) tongue in cheek

in a humorously ironic, mocking, or insincere way