See Also: press-gang(dictionary)
press-gang 2, noun(dictionary)
press-gang 1, verb(dictionary)
gang-gang(dictionary)
way-gang(dictionary)
gang(2)(dictionary)
Gang of Four(encyclopedia)
gang(dictionary)
gang(medicine)
gang(1)(dictionary)

press-gang (iou)



press-gang noun & verb. L17.
[from PRESS noun2 or (sense A.2, punningly) PRESS noun1 + GANG noun.]
A. noun.
Hist. A body of men employed, under the command of an officer, to press men for service in the army or navy. L17.
b. gen. A group engaged in compelling people to do something. colloq. L18.
A group of journalists; the press. joc. M19.
b. verb trans. Force to serve by means of or in the manner of a press-gang; coerce. (Foll. by into.) M19.
Listener The men on the Mary Rose..were not pressganged, and pay..was good. V. Seth She and her sister..were press-ganged into lessons.