sprig

Etymology

From Middle English sprig, sprigge, of uncertain origin. Compare dialectal English sprag (“sprig, twig”), Old English spræc (“a shoot”), German Low German Spricke, Sprick (“dry branch, twig”).

Pronunciation

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• Rhymes: -ɪɡ

Noun

sprig (plural sprigs)

1. A small shoot or twig of a tree or other plant; a spray.

   a sprig of laurel or of parsley

2. A youth; a lad; -- used humorously or in slight disparagement.
   • Sir Walter Scott

     a sprig whom I remember, with a whey-face and a satchel, not so many years ago

3. A brad, or nail without a head.
4. A small eyebolt ragged or barbed at the point.
5. A house sparrow.

Verb

sprig (third-person singular simple present sprigs, present participle sprigging, simple past and past participle sprigged)

1. To decorate with sprigs

Anagrams

• PIRGs, grips, prigs