▪ I. fagging, vbl. n.1
(ˈfægɪŋ)
[f. fag v. + -ing1.]
The action of the vb. fag.
1. The action of working hard or wearying oneself at something; an instance of this, hard work. Also fagging about.
| 1777 F. Burney Early Diary (1889) ii. 163 After all this fagging, Mr. Lowndes sent me word, that he..could not think of printing it [the book]. 1837 Lockhart Scott (1839) I. 194 The ordinary indoor fagging of the chamber in George's Square. 1849 E. E. Napier Excurs. S. Africa II. 122 Hard knocks, hard fare, and hard fagging of every description. 1850 Mrs. Carlyle Lett. II. 110, I had such a fagging about last year. |
2. slang. (See quot.)
| 1775 Ash, Fagging, a beating or thumping. |
3. The system under which a junior boy acts as fag to a senior. Also attrib.
| 1824 T. Medwin Convers. Byron (1832) I. 77 Drury's kindness..enabled me to bear..fagging. 1825 C. M. Westmacott Eng. Spy I. 42 In no fear of fagging. 1825 S. R. in Hone Every-day Bk. I. 1291 The fagging system was only to be tolerated. 1876 Grant Burgh Sch. Scot. ii. v. 202 For elevating the tone of the School he made use of the sixth form and of fagging. |
▪ II. fagging, ppl. a.
(ˈfægɪŋ)
[f. fag v. + -ing2.]
That fags, in senses of the vb.
| 1795 W. B. Stevens Jrnl. 8 Aug. (1965) iii. 279 He is the most fagging Student I ever knew and this to the exclusion of all other enjoyments. 1806 T. S. Surr Winter in Lond. (ed. 3) I. 20 An idle fagging partner. 1862 Mrs. H. Wood Mrs. Hallib. i. v. 25 Mine is a fagging profession! |