Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for HAG
HAG, n. [In Sax hægesse is a witch, fury or goblin, answering to the Hecate of mythology. In W. hagyr, ugly, is from hag, a gash, from the root of hack. In Russ. ega is a foolish old woman, a sorceress. See Hagard.]
- An ugly old woman; as, an old hag of threescore. Dryden.
- A witch; a sorceress; an enchantress. Shak.
- A fury; a she-monster. Crashaw.
- A cartilaginous fish, the Gastrobranchus, which enters other fishes and devours them. It is about five or six inches long, and resembles a small eel. It is allied to the lamprey. Cyc.
- Appearances of light and fire on horses' manes or men's hair, were formerly called hags. Blount.
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