Wig

{ }, n. [ Cf. D. wegge a sort of bread, G. weck, orig., a wedge-shaped loaf or cake. See Wedge. ] A kind of raised seedcake. “Wiggs and ale.” Pepys. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Abbreviation from periwig. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A covering for the head, consisting of hair interwoven or united by a kind of network, either in imitation of the natural growth, or in abundant and flowing curls, worn to supply a deficiency of natural hair, or for ornament, or according to traditional usage, as a part of an official or professional dress, the latter especially in England by judges and barristers. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An old seal; -- so called by fishermen. [ 1913 Webster ]

Wig tree. (Bot.) See Smoke tree, under Smoke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A kind of canvaslike cotton fabric, used to stiffen and protect the lower part of trousers and of the skirts of women's dresses, etc.; -- so called from Wigan, the name of a town in Lancashire, England. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) A widgeon. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having the head covered with a wig; wearing a wig. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A wig or wigs; false hair. [ R. ] A. Trollope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any cover or screen, as red-tapism. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Fire peels the wiggeries away from them [ facts. ] Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Act of wiggling; a wriggle. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. & i. [ Cf. Wag, v. t., Waggle. ] To move to and fro with a quick, jerking motion; to bend rapidly, or with a wavering motion, from side to side; to wag; to squirm; to wriggle; as, the dog wiggles his tail; the tadpole wiggles in the water. [ Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]