Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DRAG, v.t. [Sax. dragan; W. dragiaw; D. draagen; Sw. draga; Dan. drager; G. tragen; also Dan. trekker; D. trekken; Sax. dreogan; L. traho; Fr. traire; Malayan, tarek; It. treggia, a sled or drag; Sp. trago, a draught; tragar, to swallow; Eng. to drink. See Drink and Drench. The Russ. has dergayu, and torgayu, to draw, as truck is written torguyu. See Class Rg, No. 27, 37, 56.]

1. To pull; to haul; to draw along the ground by main force; applied particularly to drawing heavy things with labor, along the ground or other surface; as, to drag stone or timber; to drag a net in fishing. – John xxi. 8.
2. To break land by drawing a drag or harrow over it; to harrow; a common use of the word in New England.
3. To draw along slowly or heavily; to draw any thing burdensome; as, to drag a lingering life. – Dryden.
4. To draw along in contempt, as unworthy to be carried. He drags me at his chariot wheels. – Stillingfleet. To drag one in chains. – Milton.
5. To pull or haul about roughly and forcibly. – Dryden. In seamen's language, to drag an anchor is to draw or trail it along the bottom when loosened, or when the anchor will not hold the ship.