plug
Pronunciation: (plug), [key]
— n., v., plugged, plug•ging.
—n.
- a piece of wood or other material used to stop up a hole or aperture, to fill a gap, or to act as a wedge.
- a core or interior segment taken from a larger matrix.
- a device to which may be attached the conductors of a cord and which by insertion in a jack, or screwing into a receptacle, establishes contact.
- See(def. 1).
- a fireplug or hydrant.
- a cake of pressed tobacco.
- a piece of tobacco cut off for chewing.
- the favorable mention of something, as in a lecture, radio show, etc.; advertisement; recommendation: The actress was happy to give her new show a plug.
- an artificial lure made of wood, plastic, or metal, and fitted with one or more gang hooks, used chiefly in casting.
- neck (def. 14).
- a worn-out or inferior horse.
- a shopworn or unsalable article.
- a small piece of sod used esp. for seeding a lawn.
- a patch of scalp with viable hair follicles that is used as a graft for a bald part of the head. Cf.
- punch (def. 1).
-
- a mandrel on which tubes are formed.
- a punch on which a cup is drawn.
- a protrusion on a forging die for forming a recess in the work.
- a false bottom on a die.
- Also calleda small piece of wood inserted into masonry as a hold for a nail.
- See under
- Also calleda man's tall silk hat.
- The government has threatened to pull the plug on further subsidies.
- to discontinue or terminate:The government has threatened to pull the plug on further subsidies.
- to disconnect life-sustaining equipment from (a moribund patient).
—v.t.
- to stop or fill with or as if with a plug (often fol. by up): to plug up a leak; plug a gap.
- to insert or drive a plug into.
- to secure with or as if with a plug.
- to insert (something) as a plug.
- to remove a core or a small plug-shaped piece from.
- to remove the center of (a coin) and replace it with a baser metal: a plugged nickel.
- to mention (something) favorably, as in a lecture, radio show, etc.: He says he will appear if he can plug his new TV series.
- to punch with the fist.
- to shoot or strike with a bullet.
—v.i.
- to work with stubborn persistence (often fol. by along or away): You're doing a fine job—just keep plugging. Some writers will plug away at the same novel for several years.
- to publicize insistently: Whenever he gets the chance, he's plugging for his company.
- to shoot or fire shots.
- Plug the TV set in over there.
- to connect to an electrical power source:Plug the TV set in over there.
- Informal.to add or include; incorporate:They still have to plug in more research data.
- The device will plug into any convenient wall outlet. The proposed new departments would eventually plug into the overall organizational plan.
- to connect or become connected by or as if by means of a plug:The device will plug into any convenient wall outlet. The proposed new departments would eventually plug into the overall organizational plan.
- Informal.to feel an affinity for; like; understand:Some kids just don't plug into sports in school.
- to become plugged: The drain in the sink plugs up every so often.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.