Tongs
[tɒŋz] or [tɔŋz]
Definition
(noun.) any of various devices for taking hold of objects; usually have two hinged legs with handles above and pointed hooks below.
Inputed by Hahn--From WordNet
Definition
(n. pl.) An instrument, usually of metal, consisting of two parts, or long shafts, jointed together at or near one end, or united by an elastic bow, used for handling things, especially hot coals or metals; -- often called a pair of tongs.
Editor: Ryan
Definition
n.pl. a domestic instrument consisting of two jointed pieces or shafts of metal used for lifting.
Editor: Monica
Examples
- It is the right-hand parlour, into which an aspiring kitchen fireplace appears to have walked, accompanied by a rebellious poker, tongs, and shovel. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- When the process is stopped and the temporary wall in front broken down the bloom is removed with a pair of tongs from the bottom of the furnace. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- The tongs made a pleasant clicking sound and I could see Catherine in three mirrors and it was pleasant and warm in the booth. Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell To Arms.
- Their most trivial action may mean volumes, or their most extraordinary conduct may depend upon a hairpin or a curling tongs. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- You're hammer and tongs, already, you two? Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- I was so ragged and dirty, that you wouldn't have touched me with a pair of tongs. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- Mrs. Gradgrind faintly looked at the tongs, as the most appropriate thing her imbecility could think of doing. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- There, now I'll take off the papers and you'll see a cloud of little ringlets, said Jo, putting down the tongs. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- A sort of squeezing apparatus, or tongs, called the alligator, had been employed. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- I'm so sorry, but the tongs were too hot, and so I've made a mess, groaned poor Jo, regarding the little black pancakes with tears of regret. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Seizing with the tongs the image that she had made of Eustacia, she held it in the heat, and watched it as it began to waste slowly away. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Why, I would have laid any bet you like, Mr. Franklin, that your father wouldn't have touched the Colonel with a pair of tongs! Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Meg wanted a few curls about her face, and Jo undertook to pinch the papered locks with a pair of hot tongs. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Joseph still continued a huge clattering at the poker and tongs, puffing and blowing the while, and turning as red as his yellow face would allow him. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- I saw Madame Fosco, who was making the tea, pause, with the sugar-tongs in her hand, to listen for my answer. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
Edited by Carmella