Definition of 'rag'

Noun

1. a small piece of cloth or paper
      Synonyms: shred tag tag end tatter
2. a week at British universities during which side-shows and processions of floats are organized to raise money for charities
      Synonyms: rag week
3. music with a syncopated melody (usually for the piano)
      Synonyms: ragtime
4. newspaper with half-size pages
      Synonyms: tabloid sheet
5. a boisterous practical joke (especially by college students)

Verb

1. treat cruelly; "The children tormented the stuttering teacher"
      Synonyms: torment bedevil crucify dun frustrate
2. cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations; "Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me"; "It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves"
      Synonyms: annoy get to bother get at irritate rile nark nettle gravel vex chafe devil
3. play in ragtime; "rag that old tune"
4. harass with persistent criticism or carping; "The children teased the new teacher"; "Don't ride me so hard over my failure"; "His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie"
      Synonyms: tease razz cod tantalize tantalise bait taunt twit rally ride
5. censure severely or angrily; "The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car"; "The deputy ragged the Prime Minister"; "The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup"
      Synonyms: call on the carpet take to task rebuke trounce reproof lecture reprimand jaw dress down call down scold chide berate bawl out remonstrate chew out chew up have words lambaste lambast
6. break into lumps before sorting; "rag ore"

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