nag

name

1. Initialism of Numeric Annotation Glyph

noun

1. Misspelling of knack.

verb

Etymology: Probably from a North Germanic source; compare Swedish nagga (“to gnaw, grumble”), Danish nage (“to nag, bother”), Icelandic nagga (“to complain”). Compare typologically fret, Bulgarian глождя (gloždja), Russian глода́ть (glodátʹ), грызть (gryztʹ), по́едом есть (pójedom jestʹ), е́дкий (jédkij).

1. To repeatedly remind or complain to (someone) in an annoying way, often about insignificant or unnecessary matters.

   “The room is never cleaned, so her mother nags and nags until she explodes with frustration and threatens to sell her to the lowest bidder.”

   “Anyone would think that I nagged at you, Amanda! (From Amanda! by Robin Klein)”

2. To bother with persistent thoughts or memories.

   “The notion that he forgot something nagged him the rest of the day.”

   “I guess it happens all the time in crime stories where the detective suddenly remembers a bit of conversation that nags him in some way, then for some inexplicable reason, it's just right there in front of you, like a sign pointing 'here!”

3. To bother or disturb persistently in any way.

   “But at night, around the uncertain edge of dreams, and when the wind nags, there are few whom an odd sound will not thrill”

   “When a breeze comes up and nags the surface, it sparkles like a gemstone.”