Adjacent Words

Frog definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

FROG, n. [L. rana, from the root of rend, from its broken shape, or from leaping, or its fragor or hoarse voice.]
1. An amphibious animal of the genus Rana, with four feet, a naked body, and without a tail. It is remarkable for swimming with rapidity, and for taking large leaps on land. Frogs lie torpid during winter.
2. In farriery. [See Frush.]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species [syn: frog, toad, toad frog, anuran, batrachian, salientian]
2: a person of French descent [syn: frog, Gaul]
3: a decorative loop of braid or cord v
1: hunt frogs for food

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Middle English frogge, from Old English frogga; akin to Old High German frosk frog; senses 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 unclearly derived & perhaps of distinct origin Date: before 12th century 1. any of various largely aquatic leaping anuran amphibians (as ranids) that have slender bodies with smooth moist skin and strong long hind legs with webbed feet — compare toad 2. the triangular elastic horny pad in the middle of the sole of the foot of a horse — see hoof illustration 3. a. a loop attached to a belt to hold a weapon or tool b. an ornamental braiding for fastening the front of a garment that consists of a button and a loop through which it passes 4. often capitalized, usually offensive Frenchman 5. a device permitting the wheels on one rail of a track to cross an intersecting rail 6. a condition in the throat that produces hoarseness <had a frog in his throat> 7. the nut of a violin bow 8. a small holder (as of metal, glass, or plastic) with perforations or spikes for holding flowers in place in a bowl or vase

Britannica Concise

Any of various tailless amphibians in the order Anura. The name may be limited to any member of the family Ranidae (true frogs); more broadly, it often distinguishes smooth-skinned, leaping anurans from squat, warty, hopping ones (toads). Frogs generally have protruding eyes, strong, webbed hind feet adapted for leaping and swimming, and smooth, moist skin. Most are predominantly aquatic, but some live on land. They range in length (snout to anus) from 0.4 to 12 in. (9.8 mm-30 cm). Though frogs have poisonous skin glands, they rely on camouflage for protection from predators. Most eat insects and other small arthropods or worms, but several also eat other frogs, rodents, and reptiles. They usually breed in freshwater, where they lay eggs that hatch into tadpoles. Since 1989 researchers have become increasingly alarmed by striking declines in frog populations worldwide, suspected to be linked to climatic factors or a fungal disease.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

1. n. 1 any of various small amphibians of the order Anura, having a tailless smooth-skinned body with legs developed for jumping. 2 (Frog) Brit. sl. offens. a Frenchman. 3 a hollow in the top face of a brick for holding the mortar. 4 the nut of a violin-bow etc. Phrases and idioms: frog-fish = angler-fish. frog in the (or one's) throat colloq. hoarseness. frog-spawn the spawn of a frog. Etymology: OE frogga f. Gmc 2. n. an elastic horny substance in the sole of a horse's foot. Etymology: 17th c.: orig. uncert. (perh. a use of FROG(1)) 3. n. 1 an ornamental coat-fastening of a spindle-shaped button and loop. 2 an attachment to a waist-belt to support a sword, bayonet, etc. Derivatives: frogged adj. frogging n. Etymology: 18th c.: orig. unkn. 4. n. a grooved piece of iron at a place in a railway where tracks cross. Etymology: 19th c.: orig. unkn.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Frog Frog (fr[o^]g), n. [AS. froggu, frocga a frog (in sensel); akin to D. vorsch, OHG. frosk, G. frosch, Icel. froskr, fraukr, Sw. & Dan. fr["o].] 1. (Zo["o]l.) An amphibious animal of the genus Rana and related genera, of many species. Frogs swim rapidly, and take long leaps on land. Many of the species utter loud notes in the springtime. Note: The edible frog of Europe (Rana esculenta) is extensively used as food; the American bullfrog (R. Catesbiana) is remarkable for its great size and loud voice. 2. [Perh. akin to E. fork, cf. frush frog of a horse.] (Anat.) The triangular prominence of the hoof, in the middle of the sole of the foot of the horse, and other animals; the fourchette. 3. (Railroads) A supporting plate having raised ribs that form continuations of the rails, to guide the wheels where one track branches from another or crosses it. 4. [Cf. fraco of wool or silk, L. floccus, E. frock.] An oblong cloak button, covered with netted thread, and fastening into a loop instead of a button hole. 5. The loop of the scabbard of a bayonet or sword. Cross frog (Railroads), a frog adapted for tracks that cross at right angles. Frog cheese, a popular name for a large puffball. Frog eater, one who eats frogs; -- a term of contempt applied to a Frenchman by the vulgar class of English. Frog fly. (Zo["o]l.) See Frog hopper. Frog hopper (Zo["o]l.), a small, leaping, hemipterous insect living on plants. The larv[ae] are inclosed in a frothy liquid called cuckoo spit or frog spit. Frog lily (Bot.), the yellow water lily (Nuphar). Frog spit (Zo["o]l.), the frothy exudation of the frog hopper; -- called also frog spittle. See Cuckoo spit, under Cuckoo.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Frog Frog, v. t. To ornament or fasten (a coat, etc.) with trogs. See Frog, n., 4.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(frogs) 1. A frog is a small creature with smooth skin, big eyes, and long back legs which it uses for jumping. Frogs usually live near water. N-COUNT 2. Frogs is sometimes used to refer to French people. This use could cause offence. (INFORMAL) N-COUNT

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(Heb. tsepharde'a, meaning a "marsh-leaper"). This reptile is mentioned in the Old Testament only in connection with one of the plagues which fell on the land of Egypt (Ex. 8:2-14; Ps. 78:45; 105:30).

In the New Testament this word occurs only in Rev. 16:13, where it is referred to as a symbol of uncleanness. The only species of frog existing in Palestine is the green frog (Rana esculenta), the well-known edible frog of the Continent.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

(tsephardea`; compare Arabic dafda` (Ex 8:2 ff; Ps 78:45; 105:30); batrachos (Re 16:13)): The references in Psalms, as well as in Exodus, are to the plague of flogs. In Re 16:13 we have, "And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, as it were frogs." The word tsephardea` probably referred both to frogs and to toads, as does the Arabic dafda`. In Palestine and Syria Rana esculenta, Bufo viridis and Hyla arborea are common. According to Mr. Michael J. Nicoll, assistant director of the Zoological Gardens at Gizah, near Cairo, the commonest Egyptian species are Rana mascariensis and Bufo regularis. Rana esculenta, Bufo viridis and Bufo vittatus are also found, but are much less common.

Alfred Ely Day

Moby Thesaurus

Aussie, Boche, Canuck, Chink, Guinea, Hunk, Hunkie, Jerry, Kraut, Krauthead, Mick, Mickey, Paddy, amphibian, batrachian, broad jumper, bucking bronco, buckjumper, bullfrog, croaker, dago, flea, gazelle, goat, grasshopper, greaseball, greaser, high jumper, hopper, hoppytoad, hoptoad, hurdle racer, hurdler, jackrabbit, jumper, jumping bean, jumping jack, kangaroo, leaper, limey, newt, paddock, pole vaulter, polliwog, salamander, salmon, stag, sunfisher, tadpole, timber topper, toad, tree frog, tree toad, vaulter, wetback