wigwag means with a wigwagging or to-and-fro motion. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 87 out of 100.
wigwag is pronounced /ˈwɪɡwaɡ/.
adv
- With a wigwagging or to-and-fro motion.
noun
- Any of a number of mechanical or electrical devices which cause a component to oscillate between two states.“The wig-wag [an instrument measuring solar radiation] utilizes the principle that the gaseous phase of a volatile liquid expands as a result of the conversion of radiant energy to sensible heat. It requires only a reading of the count at whatever interval the observer chooses.”
- Any of a number of mechanical or electrical devices which cause a component to oscillate between two states.; A device that causes one or more lights to flash in a preset pattern.“Framed by the pulsing wig-wag lights the painted the stone walls and arched windows of the front of the Gallatin Gateway Inn in vivid reds and blues, Cody Hoyt tossed the duffel he'd saved into the back of his Ford.”
- Any of a number of mechanical or electrical devices which cause a component to oscillate between two states.; A device that causes one or more lights to flash in a preset pattern.; A red light near the door of a sound stage that flashes to indicate that cameras are rolling inside the stage and that all people and vehicles outside should remain quiet; a red-eye.“I parked near a big sound stage building; lamped a red wig-wag signal rocking back and forth to indicate a scene being shot inside. This meant no admittance until the cameras had stopped grinding. Presently a bell jingled and the wig-wag died.”
- Any of a number of mechanical or electrical devices which cause a component to oscillate between two states.; A device that causes one or more lights to flash in a preset pattern.; A device used to cause lamps installed on a motor vehicle, especially an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance or police car, to flash as a warning.“Rogan hit the wigwag flashers on the headlights of the Crown Vic and made it to the circular driveway at the Sixth Avenue entrance of the Hilton in four minutes flat.”
- Any of a number of mechanical or electrical devices which cause a component to oscillate between two states.; A device that causes one or more lights to flash in a preset pattern.; A device with multiple (often two), alternately flashing lights which is installed at a railway level crossing (or grade crossing), a movable bridge, etc., to warn vehicular traffic to stop.“Travelling home about half past ten o'clock on a recent night he had seen a motor-car which had been driven into the cattle-stop on the railway-line. It was a bad night from a visibility point of view, and the wig-wag was not operating, as no train was in sight. However, before the motor-car was extricated a train passed within three inches of it.”
- Any of a number of mechanical or electrical devices which cause a component to oscillate between two states.; An instrument that creates a wigwagging motion for polishing.“The wigwag is used for polishing the shoulders of pinions, pinion leaves, staffs and pivots, and for numerous other operations. […] These tools are used extensively in all the American watch factories.”
verb
- To move gently in one direction and then another; to wig or wiggle, to wag or waggle.
- An act of wigwagging.“Beautiful tails, O, beautiful tails, / Thy gentle wigwag is joyous and queer; / How to our hearts thy switchery tells / Tails of the past ever dear.”
- To oscillate between two states.“Then the headlights swept around the last bend in the track and the train was bearing down on us from less than a block away. The engineer saw us and started leaning on the horn. He was going way too fast. The train whistle kept blaring as the white headlamp on the lead car wigwagged back and forth, strobing the car as the train thundered toward us.”
- To send a signal by waving a flag to and fro.“He had no prearranged signals for explaining the presence of the two Americans, but when the planes returned to check his messages, he wigwagged: "No Japanese. No signs," and then led Krickel and his daughter to where they could be clearly seen. The lead plane dipped its wings alterately and flew back toward Dutch Harbor.”