tugged Definition

tug
verb, tr & intr tugged, tugging

1. To pull sharply or strongly.

Example: tugged the money from her pocket
Example: Spike tugs at the lead until he gets to the park
Thesaurus: pull, drag, tow, lug, heave, haul, jerk, wrench, yank.
Form: tug at (sometimes)
Form: tug on
2. To tow (a ship, barge, oil platform, etc) with a tugboat.

noun

1a. A strong sharp pull;
1b. A sharp or sudden pang of emotion.
2. A hard struggle.
3. A small boat with a very powerful engine, for towing larger ships, barges, oil platforms, etc.

Form: tugboat (in full)
4. An aircraft designed to tow a glider into the air.

Derivative: tugger
noun

Derivative: tugging
adj, noun

Idiom: tug at someone's heartstrings

To touch their deepest feelings, emotions, etc.

Etymology: 13c as toggen: from Anglo-Saxon teon to tow.