Hag

n. [A-S. häges, hägesse, hägtes, hägtesse, M. D. hagetisse, haghedisse, M. H. Ger. hégerisse, O. H. Ger. hágazusa, házusa, házasa, házessa, hazas, hazis, hazes, M. H. Ger. hegxse, hecse, hexse, O. Ger. hägs, N. H. Ger. hexe, D. heks, Dan. hex, hexe, Sw. häxa, probably from Ger. hag, hedge, bush, wood; originally wood-woman, wild woman, as the hags pass into the wood, M. H. Ger. ze holze varn. Cf. also Icel. hagr, wise.]

1Sense 1. An ugly old woman; a fury; a she-monster.

2Sense 2. A witch; a sorceress; an enchantress. Shak.

3Sense 3. A wizard. [Obs.] “[Silenus] that old hag.” Golding.

4Sense 4. (Ichth.) An eel-like fish (the Gastrobranchus (Myxine) glutinosus), having a cartilaginous skeleton, a ring-like mouth, a strong tooth in the palate, and two rows of teeth, by which it enters other fishes and devours them. It is about five or six inches long, and is allied to the lamprey. It is found in polar seas.

5Sense 5. An appearance of light and fire on a horse’s mane or man’s hair. [Obs.] Blount.

6Sense 6. A small wood, or part of a wood, marked off or inclosed for felling. [Obs.]

This said, he led me over hoults and hags; Through thorns and bushes scant my legs I drew. Fairfax.

7Sense 7. A quagmire.