Tongs
/tʌŋz/noun
A pair of pincers or gripping tools used to hold, lift, or move objects.
Did you know?The English word *tongs* is actually a plural form that developed from an Old English word for a single gripping tool, ultimately tied to the same ancient root behind words like *dunce* and *thong* in different branches of the language.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*denk-
“to bite, sting, or pinch”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*tungōn-
“a pinching or gripping implement”
Old English
OE
tange
“tongs, pincers”
Middle English
ME
tonges
“tongs, pincers”
Modern English
English
tongs
“a gripping tool with two arms used for holding or lifting”