wagon, waggon

[Dut. wagen, cogn. with A. S. wægh a wain (q. v.); Ger. wag an.] I. Ordinary Language : ; Icel. & Sw. vagn ; Ο. Η. 1. A four-wheeled vehicle for the transport of goods, freight, and produce. The ordinary wagon is a strong, heavy vehicle, drawn by two (or sometimes more) horses yoked abreast. The fore-wheels are smaller than the hind-wheels, and their axle is swiveled to the body of the vehicle, so as to facilitate turning. Most wagons are supplied with strong springs, on account of the weight of the vehicle, and to make up for the absence of the steadying power of the horses, who expend their force in pulling only, the weight being distributed over the four wheels. A vehicle on four wheels of equal diameter is of lighter draught than one in which the fore wheels are smaller than the hind-wheels, unle the load is distributed on the wheels in proportion to their diameter. Common examples of the wagon are the brewer's dray, the agricultural wain, and the railway truck. Carriers' wagons are generally provided with wooden bows, over which can be stretched a covering of heavy canvas or other material, so as to protect the goods carried from rain, . The ends of the bows are inserted in staples on each side of the vehicle, so that cover and bows can be removed when not required. "One of the wheeles of the wagon wherin I was, brake, so that by that meanes the other wagons went afore." Hackluyt : Voyages , iii. 484. 2. An open, four-wheeled vehicle for the conveyance of goods on railways; a truck. *3. A chariot. "Phœbus pure In western waues his weary waggon did recure." Spenser: F. Q., 1. v. 44. II. Gold beating : A tool having four edges of cane mounted in a frame, and used to trim the ( Chaucer .) wag'-ger-ỹ, s . [Eng. wag , s.; -ery.] The manzer, actions, or pranks of a wag; mischievous merriment; frolicsome humor; sportive trick or gayety; jocular sayings or doing; pleasantry. "He became a mark for the insolent derision of fops and the grave waggery of Templars."-Macaulay: Hist . Eng ., ch. iii. wag'-gish, a . [Eng. wag , s.; -ish.] 1. Like a wag; full of mischievous merriment, frolicsome humor, and pleasantry; roguish in mer riment or good humor. "As waggish boys in game themselves forswear." Shakesp.: Midsummer Night's Dream, i. 1. 2. Done, made, or laid in waggery or for sport; sportive, frolicsome, humorous, pleasant. "And own the Spanish did a waggish thing, Who cropt our ears, and sent them to the king." Pope : Epil . to Sat. , dial. 1. wăg'-gish-ly, adv . [Eng. waggish ; -ly .] In a waggish manner; in sport or frolic; sportively. "Now we are in private, let's wanton it a little, and talk waggishly."-Ben Jonson. Silent Woman, v. 1.