Etymology

Noun

1. A pronged connecting device which fits into a mating socket.

   I pushed the plug back into the electrical socket and the lamp began to glow again.

2. Any piece of wood, metal, or other substance used to stop or fill a hole; a stopple.

   Pull the plug out of the tub so it can drain.

3. A flat oblong cake of pressed tobacco.

   He preferred a plug of tobacco to loose chaw.

4. A high, tapering silk hat.
5. A worthless horse.

   That sorry old plug is ready for the glue factory!

6. A block of wood let into a wall to afford a hold for nails.
7. A mention of a product (usually a book, film or play) in an interview, or an interview which features one or more of these.

   During the interview, the author put in a plug for his latest novel.

8. A body of once molten rock that hardened in a volcanic vent. Usually round or oval in shape.

   Pressure built beneath the plug in the caldera, eventually resulting in a catastrophic explosion of pyroclastic shrapnel and ash.

9. A type of lure consisting of a rigid, buoyant or semi-buoyant body and one or more hooks.

   The fisherman cast the plug into a likely pool, hoping to catch a whopper.

Verb

1. To stop with a plug; to make tight by stopping a hole.

   He attempted to plug the leaks with some caulk.

2. To blatantly mention a particular product or service as if advertising it.

   The main guest on the show just kept plugging his latest movie: it got so tiresome.

3. To persist or continue with something.

   Keep plugging at the problem until you find a solution.

4. To shoot a bullet into something with a gun.
   • 1884, H. Rider Haggard, The Witch's Head

     I am awfully glad that you kept your nerve and plugged him; it would have been better if you could have nailed him through the right shoulder, which would not have killed him...

Etymology

Etymology

Noun

1. plough

Etymology

Noun

1. plough (device pulled through the ground in order to break it upon into furrows for planting)