rag

• Nom avec plusieurs sens : petit morceau de tissu ou de papier ; semaine dans les universités britanniques avec des activités caritatives ; style musical syncopé ; journal de format tabloïd ; ou farce bruyante organisée par des étudiants.

A noun with multiple meanings: a small piece of cloth or paper; a week at British universities with charity events; a syncopated musical style; a half-size newspaper; or a boisterous practical joke by college students.

1. A2formal

   A small piece of cloth, often old or torn, used for cleaning or wiping.

   chiffon

   • He used a rag to clean the spilled milk.
   • She wiped the window with a damp rag.
   • The mechanic grabbed an oily rag from the bench.

   Synonymesclothdustershredtatterwipe

2. Charity week at universitiesC1formalbritish

   A week at British universities featuring side-shows and processions of floats to raise money for charities.

   Semaine caritative universitaire

   • The students organized a parade for Rag Week.
   • Rag events raised thousands of pounds for local charities.
   • She volunteered to help with the Rag float design.

   Synonymesrag week

3. Syncopated musicB2formalart

   A style of music with a syncopated melody, typically played on the piano.

   Rag (musique syncopée)

   • Scott Joplin is famous for his rag compositions.
   • The pianist played a lively rag at the concert.
   • Rag music became popular in the early 20th century.

   Synonymesragtime

4. Small newspaperB2informalbritish

   A newspaper with half-size pages, often focusing on sensational stories.

   journal à sensation

   • He picked up a rag at the newsstand for a quick read.
   • The local rag reported on the town festival.
   • She dismissed the article as something from a cheap rag.

   Synonymesgutter presstabloid

5. Boisterous prankC1informalbritish

   A boisterous practical joke, especially one played by college students.

   Farce étudiante

   • The students pulled a rag on the dean by decorating his office.
   • Their rag involved a fake protest on campus.
   • The annual rag is a tradition at the university.

   Synonymescaperescapadejapelarkpractical jokeprankstunt

   Antonymesseriousnesssolemnity

• Verbe signifiant taquiner ou agacer quelqu'un de manière plaisante, ou critiquer sévèrement et réprimander.

A verb meaning to tease or playfully annoy someone, or to criticize or scold them harshly.

1. Treat cruellyB2informalbritish

   To treat someone in a harsh or cruel manner.

   maltraiter cruellement

   • The older boys ragged the new student mercilessly.
   • He was ragged by his colleagues for his mistake.
   • They ragged him until he finally broke down.

   Synonymesabusebullyharassill-treatmaltreatmistreatoppresspersecutetorment

   Antonymescarecherishcomfort

2. Annoy or disturbB2informalbritish

   To cause annoyance or disturbance, especially through minor irritations.

   agacer, importuner

   • Stop ragging your sister; she's trying to study.
   • The constant noise from the construction site ragged him all day.
   • She ragged her brother about his messy room.

   Synonymesannoybedevilbotherharassirritatenagpesterprovoketeasetormentvex

   Antonymescomfortdelightpleasesoothe

3. Play in ragtimeC1formalamerican

   To perform music in the ragtime style, characterized by syncopated rhythms.

   Jouer en ragtime

   • The pianist ragged the tune with a lively syncopation.
   • He learned to rag classic songs from the early 1900s.
   • The band ragged the melody, giving it a jazzy feel.

4. Criticize persistentlyB2informal

   To harass or criticize someone persistently, often with negative comments.

   critiquer sans relâche

   • The critics ragged the actor for his poor performance.
   • She ragged her husband about his spending habits.
   • They ragged the politician for his broken promises.

   Synonymesbadgerbaitberatechidecriticizeharasshecklemocknagrebukereprimandscoldtaunttease

   Antonymesapprovecommendcomplimentlaudpraise

5. Censure severelyC1formal

   To scold or reprimand someone angrily and severely.

   réprimander vertement

   • The manager ragged the employee for arriving late repeatedly.
   • He ragged his son for failing the exam.
   • The teacher ragged the class for their lack of effort.

   Synonymesberatecastigatechew outchiderebukereprimandreprovescoldupbraid

   Antonymesapplaudcommendcomplimentlaudpraise

6. Break into lumpsC2formal

   To break something, such as ore or coal, into smaller pieces before sorting.

   Concasser

   • The miners ragged the ore into manageable chunks.
   • They ragged the coal before sorting it by size.
   • The machine rags the material into lumps for processing.

   Synonymesbuckcobspall