1. The action of working hard or wearying oneself at something; an instance of this, hard work. Also fagging about.
1777. Mad. D’Arblay, Early Diary (1889), II. 163. After all this fagging, Mr. Lowndes sent me word, that he approved of the book; but could not think of printing it, till it was finished.
1837. Lockhart, Scott (1839), I. 194. The ordinary indoor fagging of the chamber in George’s Square.
1849. E. E. Napier, Excurs. S. Africa, II. v. 122. With no other prospect before them—save hard knocks, hard fare, and hard fagging of every description—to reward them for all their trouble.
1850. Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., II. 110. I had such a fagging about last year that I feel no need of stirring at all.
2. slang. (See quot.)
1775. Ash, Fagging. A beating or thumping.
3. The system under which a junior boy acts as fag to a senior. Also attrib.
1824. T. Medwin, Convers. Byron (1832), I. 77. Drury’s kindness, which enabled me to bear it and fagging too.
1825. C. M. Westmacott, Eng. Spy, I. 42. In no fear of fagging.
1825. S. R., in Hone, Every-day Bk., I. 1291. The fagging system was only to be tolerated.
1876. J. Grant, Burgh Sch. Scot., II. v. 202. Dr Arnold’s system was this: For checking vices and elevating the tone of the school, he made use of the Sixth Form … and of fagging.
