Peg \Peg\ (p[e^]g), n. [OE. pegge; cf. Sw. pigg, Dan. pig a
point, prickle, and E. peak.]
1. A small, pointed piece of wood, used in fastening boards
together, in attaching the soles of boots or shoes, etc.;
as, a shoe peg.
[1913 Webster]
2. A wooden pin, or nail, on which to hang things, as coats,
etc. Hence, colloquially and figuratively: A support; a
reason; a pretext; as, a peg to hang a claim upon.
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3. One of the pins of a musical instrument, on which the
strings are strained. --Shak.
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4. One of the pins used for marking points on a cribbage
board.
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5. A step; a degree; esp. in the slang phrase "To take one
down a peg."
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To screw papal authority to the highest peg.
--Barrow.
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And took your grandees down a peg. --Hudibras.
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6. A drink of spirits, usually whisky or brandy diluted with
soda water. [India]
This over, the club will be visited for a "peg,"
Anglice drink. --Harper's
Mag.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
7. (Baseball) a hard throw, especially one made to put out a
baserunner; as, the peg to the plate went wild.
[PJC]
{peg board}, a board with multiple small holes into which
pegs can be inserted in different arrays so as to form
hooks from which to hang tools or other objects for
convenient access; it is typically hung from a wall in a
workshop.
{Peg ladder}, a ladder with but one standard, into which
cross pieces are inserted.
{Peg tankard}, an ancient tankard marked with pegs, so as
divide the liquor into equal portions. "Drink down to your
peg." --Longfellow.
{Peg tooth}. See {Fleam tooth} under {Fleam}.
{Peg top}, a boy's top which is spun by throwing it.
{Screw peg}, a small screw without a head, for fastening
soles.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
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