1. [f. WIG sb.3 1, or back-formation on WIGGED.] trans. To supply with a wig; to put a wig upon; spec. to provide with wigs in preparation for a theatrical performance (with the actors or the performance as obj.).
1826. Examiner, 119/2. Cooper performed the husband, and had to wig himself into age for the purpose.
1872. E. Yates, Castaway, I. i. It was Mr. Samuel’s boast that he had ‘wigged and painted’ more ‘stars’ than any other man out of London.
1889. Pall Mall Gaz., 3 July, 4/2. I … have the pleasure of congratulating Mr. Clarkson on having ‘wigged’ three operas in one evening.
2. [f. WIG sb.3 4, or back-formation on WIGGING] To rebuke or censure severely, scold, rate. Also rarely intr. with at. slang or colloq.
1829. Examiner, 595/1. The Chronicle discovers too much disposition to what is vulgarly but expressively called, wigging us.
1831. Capt. B. Hall, Voy. & Trav., I. iii. 73. I had … from the first day I went afloat—a great horror at being reproached, or ‘wigged,’ as we called it.
1908. W. De Morgan, Somehow Good, xxv. What are you wigging at her for?
1911. Times, 13 April, 9/4. A subordinate of the Inland Revenue Department, who presumably has been severely ‘wigged’ by his chief.
