sprig´ger

sprig «sprihg», noun, verb, sprigged, sprig|ging.

–n.

1. a shoot, twig, or small branch: »

a sprig of holly. He wore a sprig of lilac in his buttonhole.

2. an ornament or design shaped like a sprig or spray: »

glasses covered with little gold sprigs (Henry James).

3. Figurative. a scion or offspring as of some person, class, or institution.

4. Figurative. a young fellow; youth; stripling: »

a sprig whom I remember with a whey face and a satchel not so very many years ago (Scott).

5. a small wedge of tin or zinc, used to hold glass in a sash until the putty dries.

6. a small, headless nail or brad.

7. U.S. a sprigtail.

–v.t.

1. to decorate (pottery, fabrics, or wallpaper) with designs representing sprigs.

2. to strip a sprig or sprigs from (a plant or tree).

3. to fasten with sprigs or brads.

╂[Middle English sprigge; origin uncertain]

–sprig´ger, noun.