drag

Definition

Resistance of a fluid to something moving through it.

Etymology

From Middle English draggen (“to drag”), early Middle English dragen (“to draw, carry”), confluence of Old English dragan (“to drag, draw, draw oneself, go, protract”) and Old Norse draga (“to draw, attract”); both from Proto-Germanic *draganą (“to draw, drag”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰregʰ- (“to draw, drag”). Verb sense influenced due to association with the noun drag (“that which is hauled or dragged”), related to Low German dragge (“a drag-anchor, grapnel”). Cognate with Danish drægge (“to dredge”), Danish drage (“to draw, attract”), Swedish dragga (“to drag, drag anchor, sweep”), Swedish draga (“to draw, go”), Icelandic draga (“to drag, pull”). Doublet of draw.

Example Sentences

• "When designing cars, manufacturers have to take drag into consideration."
• "A high thrust-to-weight ratio helps a rocket to overcome the effects of gravity drag."
• ""He told me that he was certain that Coates shot at him. We threw out a drag and landed Coates within an hour.""