to lose the fang

1 definition found

to lose the fang - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Fang \Fang\, n. [From Fang, v. t.; cf. AS. fang a taking,
     booty, G. fang.]
     1. (Zool.) The tusk of an animal, by which the prey is seized
        and held or torn; a long pointed tooth; esp., one of the
        usually erectile, venomous teeth of serpents. Also, one of
        the falcers of a spider.
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              Since I am a dog, beware my fangs.    --Shak.
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     2. Any shoot or other thing by which hold is taken.
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              The protuberant fangs of the yucca.   --Evelyn.
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     3. (Anat.) The root, or one of the branches of the root, of a
        tooth. See Tooth.
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     4. (Mining) A niche in the side of an adit or shaft, for an
        air course. --Knight.
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     5. (Mech.) A projecting tooth or prong, as in a part of a
        lock, or the plate of a belt clamp, or the end of a tool,
        as a chisel, where it enters the handle.
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     6. (Naut.)
        (a) The valve of a pump box.
        (b) A bend or loop of a rope.
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     In a fang, fast entangled.
  
     To lose the fang, said of a pump when the water has gone
        out; hence:
  
     To fang a pump, to supply it with the water necessary to
        make it operate. [Scot.]
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