tongue 
it with other structures, yet forming a part of its sub- 
stance) are the hyoglossus, the amiokyofiomi sli/loylossus, 
palatoglossus, in pairs each, and a small part of the superior 
constrictor of the pharynx. These are arranged in a very 
intricate manner, with the result that not only does the 
tongue move in every direction, but also that its shape 
changes with its motions. The arteries of the tongue are 
derived chiefly from the lingual, but also from the facial and 
ascending pharyngeal. The nerves of the tongue are four 
pairs The motor nerve is the hypoglossal. The nerves 
of common sensation and of the special gustatory sense 
are the lingual or gustatory branch of the trifacial, the 
lingual branch of the facial (the chorda tympani), and the 
lingual branch of the glossopharyngeal. Of these the last- 
named is specially concerned in gustation; the first, 
though named "gustatory," is simply sensory; the pre- 
cise function of the chorda tympani is still in question. 
The lingual mucous membrane on the dorsum of the 
tongue is peculiar in several respects. It consists of a 
layer of connective tissue forming a corium supporting 
special papilla?, covered with epithelium. The corium is 
a network in which minify numerous vessels and nerves. 
The papilla; are of three kinds: (1) large cirmmvallate 
papillae, eight or ten in number, set in a A at the back of 
the tongue, shaped like truncated cones set on end in cup- 
like depressions, whence the name ; (2) iniddle-sized/m<;t- 
forrn papilla) scattered irregularly over the surface, form- 
ing rounded red eminences like mushrooms, whence the 
name ; (3) small conical or filiform papilla?, covering the 
anterior two thirds of the surface, each ending in a num- 
ber of little processes. It is these that are specially con- 
cerned in the whitish coating or furring of the tongue. Be- 
sides these papilla? there are some other simple ones. The 
tongue is also furnished with two kinds of glands, mucous 
and serous. The microscopic structure of some papilla? 
includes certain bodies called taste-budi. The epithelium 
of the tongue is scaly, and resembles epidermis. At the 
base of the tongue behind is the epiglottis, and beyond 
this the opening of the larynx. (See also cuts under mouth 
and tonsil.) (8) In most mammals the tongue is longer, 
thinner, and more mobile than in man, though its struc- 
ture is very similar. It is very slender and very protrusile 
in some, as the ant-eaters. (See cut under tamandtta.) 
The fibrous septum may develop a special gristly struc- 
ture, the so-called " worm " or lytta, as in the dog. (-y) In 
birds, with some exceptions, the tongue is very thin, flat, 
narrow, and horny, probably subserving but little the sense 
of taste ; it is rudimentary in some, as the pelican, Ibis, 
kingfisher, etc. ; large and fleshy in some, as the parrot, 
flamingo, duck, goose, etc.; worm-shaped, barbed at the 
end, and extremely protrusile in the woodpecker (see 
cut under sagittUingual) ; slender and feathery in the 
toucan ; and with a hard nail, a brush, and various other 
modifications in different birds. It is supported on a 
special glossohyal bone, and its hyoid basis and muscular 
arrangements are often highly developed. (S) Among the 
notable tongues of reptiles are those which can be darted 
out to catch insects. (See cut under Spelerpes.) This is 
effected in various ways : in some cases, as in the toad, the 
tongue is fixed in front and free behind. The soft slender 
Forked Tongue of Serpent (Copperhead). 
forked tongue of a snake has been invested by popular 
imagination with a stinging and poisonous action ; but it 
is quite harmless, and serves chiefly as a feeler. (See also 
cut under snake.) 
Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a 
dog lappeth, him shall thou set by himself. Judges vii. 0. 
2. Specifically, in cookery, a beefs tongue pre- 
pared for the table : as, smoked tongue. 3. In 
conch., the lingual ribbon, orodontophore, bear- 
ing the radula, or rasping surface, a structure 
highly characteristic of those mollusks which 
have heads, as gastropods. See the technical 
names (with cuts under radula and ribbon). 
4. In entom., some mouth-part or conformation 
of mouth-parts serving as a tongue or suggest- 
ing one ; a proboscis ; a haustellum ; an antlia : 
as, the long spirally rolled tongue of a butterfly 
or moth; specifically, the central lobe of the 
ligula of a mandibulate insect. See the tech- 
nical words, and cut under haustellum. 5. In 
various figurative uses, the faculty or mode of 
speech ; speech, (a) The faculty or power of speech ; 
capacity of expression. 
The better tonge she hadde, ffor she was of all the worlde 
the felrest speker and the beste. 
Merlin (E. E. T. S.), ii. 322. 
0, helpe thou my weake wit, and sharpen my dull long ! 
Spenser, F. Q., I., Prol., st. 2. 
But the tongue can no man tame ; it is an unruly evil, 
full of deadly poison. Jas. iii. 8. 
This our life exempt from public haunt 
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks. 
Shak., As you Like it, ii. 1. 18. 
(6) The act or habit of speaking; utterance; discourse; 
sometimes, fluency of speech ; talk. 
Use more respect, and, woman, 'twill become you ; 
At least, less tongue. Fletcher, Double Marriage, iv. 3. 
Don't be sparing of your Speech with one that is full of 
Tongue. N. Bailey, tr. of Colloquies of Erasmus, I. 116. 
(c) The manner of speaking as regards sound ; voice ; tone ; 
specifically, in sporting language, the voice of a hound or 
other dog : as, to give tongue. 
G376 
With soft low tongue and lowly courtesy. 
Shak., T. of the S., Ind., i. 114. 
Every muse shall join her tuneful tongue. 
Buna, Death of Mir . I. H. lilair. 
The tongue [of the bloodhound should be] loud, long, 
deep, ;md melodious. 
Dogs of Ureat Britain and America, p. 56. 
(d) The character of speech with regard to meaning or 
intention. 
Be of fair beerynge & of good tunije. 
Babces Book (E. E. T. S.), p. 37. 
Speak to me home, mince not the general tongue: 
Niinir Cleopatra as she is call'd in Home. 
Shak., A. and C., i. 2. 109. 
(e) The mode or form of expression ; especially, the sum 
of the words used by a particular nation ; a language. 
Beuertere is as myche to say 
In englisch tunge as turne asen. 
Hymn* to Virgin, etc. (E. E. T. S.), p. 92. 
\Ve must be free or die, who speak the tongue 
That Shakspeare spake. 
Wordsworth, Poems on Independence and Liberty, xvi. 
(/) Words or declarations only ; mere speech or talk, as 
opposed to thoughts or actions. 
Let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed 
and In truth. 1 John iii. 18. 
(g) A people or race, as distinguished by its language. 
I will gather all nations and tongues. Isa. Ixvi. 18. 
(A1) Mention ; fame ; eulogy. 
She was born noble ; let that title find her a private 
grave, but neither tongue nor honour. Beau, and Fl. 
(i) A vote ; a voice. [Rare.] 
Of [on ?] him that did not ask, but mock, [do you] bestow 
Your sued-for tongues' Shale., Cor., ii. 3. 216. 
6. Anything considered to resemble an ani- 
mal's tongue in shape, position, or function. 
This is known as the North Deposit, and is separated by 
a tongue of barren dolomite from another ore-bearing por- 
tion. Ure, Diet., IV. 1004. 
Columns with richly carved capitals, and, like so many 
columns of all ages in this region, with tongues of foliage 
at their bases. E. A. Freeman, Venice, p. 207. 
Especially (a) A long narrow strip of land running out 
into a sea or lake ; also, a gulf or outstretched bay (Isa. xi. 
15). (6) A tapering jet of flame, (c) The pin or tang of a 
buckle or brooch which pierces the strap, ribbon, or object 
to be fastened, (d) The short movable rail of a switch by 
which the wheels are directed to one or the other line of 
rails, (e) The pole of a carriage, car, or other vehicle, to 
which the horses are yoked. (f) A projecting strip worked 
on the edge of a board, used to form a joint by fitting into 
a corresponding groove In another board, (g) The pointer 
or pin of a balance. See cut under balance, (fet) NauL, a 
short piece of rope spliced into the upper part of standing 
backstays to form an eye ; also, the upper piece of a built 
mast, (i) The vibratile reed of a musical instrument of 
the reed group, particularly if made of metal, as in the 
harmonium, the concertina, et. Compare cuts under reed. 
(f) The clapper of a bell. (*) That part of the blade of a 
sword on which the grip, shell, and pommel are fixed. (0 
A narrow strip of leather or kid, over which the uppers or 
sides of a boot or shoe are laced together, (n) A young or 
small sole. Compare tongue-fish. Halliwell. [Prov. Eng.] 
The average weight of the fish has diminished. Young 
specimens form the majority of the soles In the market, 
and are sold under the names of "slips" or "tongues." 
Encyc. Brit., XXII. 249. 
(n) The sting of a bee. llalliu'ell. [Prov. Eng.] (o) The 
movable arm of a bevel, the principal member being the 
stock, which forms the case when the instrument Is closed. 
E. H. Knight. See cut under bevel. (j>) A current of 
water, narrow, deep, and smooth, running rapidly between 
rocks without breaking or twisting ; a sled-run. A tongue 
is well-known to anglers as a favorite resting-place of sal- 
mon in their laborious ascent of rapid streams. 
7. One of the seven (later eight) divisions or 
"nations" composing the order of the Hospi- 
talers; also, a meeting of a division Along 
tongue. See /> ///'. A tongue too long for one's 
teeth, an overready or indiscreet tongue. (Colloq.) 
Hum ! Eve, wasn't your tongue a little too long for your 
teeth just now? C. Reade, Love me Little, x. 
Auld wives' tongues. Seeauld. Black tongue, (a) 
An affection characterized by a discoloration, at first black, 
fading later into brown, of the filiform papilla? of the 
tongue. Also called nigritis linguse. (b) A fever which 
prevailed in the western United States in the winter of 
1842-3. Dunylison. (e) An inflammation of the tongue 
occurring in some forms of epidemic erysipelas. Con- 
fusion of tongues, according to the account in Gen. xi., 
a confusion of speech inflicted on the builders of the tower 
of Babel, resulting in their dispersion : generally regarded 
as the first occasion of a difference of languages. Double- 
tongue. See Jtuscus.'EsS and tongue. See eggl. 
Excision of the tongue. See Chassaignac's, Jacque's, 
Jfunneley's, Regnoli's^Roux's, and Whitehead's operations 
for excision of the tongue, under operation. Gift Of 
tongues. See gift. Lfguliform tongue. See liyuli- 
form. Mother tongue. See mother-tongue. On (or at) 
the tip (or end) of one's tongue, on the point or verge 
of utterance. 
God forgive me, but I had a sad lie at my tongue's end. 
Richardson, Pamela, I. 169. 
It was on the tip of the boy's tongue to relate what had 
followed ; but ... he checked himself. 
Dickens, Martin Chuzzlewlt, xxix. 
Raphe of the tongue. See raphc. Strawberry 
tongue. See strawberry. The tongue of the trump, 
the tongue of a jews'-harp; henceTThe most important 
person or thing. [Scotch.] 
An' there will be black-lippit Johnnie, 
The tongue o' the trump to them a*. 
Burns, Election Ballads, ii. 
tongue-compressor 
The tongues, foreign languages. 
In turning over those same leaves apace, 
To shew his skill i' th' tongues, heel nod his head. 
Times' Whistle (E. E. T. S.), p. 29. 
What is "pourquoi"? do or not do? I would I had be- 
stowed that time in the tongues that I have in fencing, 
dancing, and bear-baiting. Shale., T. N., i. 3. 97. 
To bite the tongue. See bite.lo find one's tongue, 
to be able to speak ; recover the power of speech. 
But Priam found the fire ere he his tongue. 
Shak., 2 Hen. IV., i. 1. 74. 
To give tongue. See givei. To hold one's tongue. 
See AoWi. To keep one's tonguet.to be silent. 
When Biondello comes, he waits on thee ; 
But I will charm him first to leeep his tongue. 
Shale., T. of the S., i. 1. 214. 
Tongue-and-groove joint. See cut under joint, 1 (e). 
Tongue-scapular. See scapular. To throw tongue, 
to give tongue, as dogs. To wag one's (the) tongue, 
to speak or talk : used in contempt. 
What have I done, that thou darest wag thy tongue 
In noise so rude against me? Shalt., Hamlet, iii. 4. 39. 
Wooden tongue. See the quotation. 
In cattle the disease [actinomycosis] manifests itself by 
firm tumours in the jaw, in the alveoli of the teeth, and 
particularly by a great enlargement and induration of the 
tongue -wooden tongue. 
E. Klein, Micro-Organisms and Disease, p. 148. 
= Syn. 5 (e). Tongue is the Anglo-Saxon equivalent for 
language. See language. 
tongue (tune), v. ; pret. and pp. tongued, ppr. 
tonguing. [< tongue, .] I. trans. 1. To chide; 
scold; reproach. 
I'll listen to the common censure now, 
How the world tongues me when my ear lies low. 
iliddleton, Michaelmas Term, iv. 4. 
2. To speak ; utter. 
"I'is still a dream, or else such stuff as madmen 
Tongue and brain not. Shot., Cymbellne, v. 4. 147. 
No stone is fitted in yon marble girth 
Whose echo shall not tongue thy glorious doom. 
Tennyson, Tiresias. 
3. In playing on musical wind-instruments, to 
modify or interrupt the tone of by means of a 
stroke of the tongue, so as to produce a mar- 
cato or staccato effect, as in the flute, the cor- 
net, etc. See tonguing. Also tip. 4. To join 
or fit together by means of a tongue and groove . 
See the phrase Tonguing and grooving, a mode 
of joining boards by forming a groove or channel in one 
board, and a corresponding projection on the edge of the 
other, which is fitted into the first. Planes are used in 
pairs to form these grooves and projections respectively. 
Also called grooving and feathering, plowing and tonguing. 
II. intrans. 1. To talk; prate: with indefi- 
nite it. 
Let his clack be set a-Kolng, and he shall tongue it as 
impetuously and as loudly as the arrantest hero of the 
play. Dryden, Pref. to Troilus and Cressida. 
Our Captain dared the sachem to come out and fight 
him like a man. showing how base and woman-like he 
was in tonguing it as he did. 
Oood Sews from New England (Appendix to New 
[England's Memorial, p. 373). 
2. In music, to use the tongue for the purpose 
of modifying sounds in playing the flute and 
some other wind-instruments. 3. To run out; 
project: as, a point of land tongues out into the 
sea. 
Old icebergs bulge and tongue out below, and are thus 
prevented from uniting. Kane, Sec. 1 1 1 inn. Exp., 1. 282. 
tongue-bang (tunp'bang), r. t. To scold heart- 
ily. Halliwell. [Prov. Eng.] 
tongue-banger (tung'ba7ig"er), n. A scold. 
[Prov. Eng.] 
That Sally she turn'd a tongue-banger, an' raated ma. 
Tennyson, Northern Cobbler. 
tongue-battery (tung'bat"er-i), . Urgent and 
pressing talk : a flood of words. [Rare.] 
With blandish'd parlies, feminine assaults, 
Tongue-batteries, she surceased not, day nor night, 
To storm me. Milton, S. A., 1. 404. 
tongue-bird (tung'berd), w. The long-tongue 
or wryneck, lynx torquillti : so called from the 
long extensile tongue. See cut under wryneck. 
tongue-bit (tung'bit), w. A form of bit fora 
hard-mouthed horse, with a plate so fixed that 
the horse cannot get his tongue over the 
mouthpiece. 
tongue-bone (tung'bon), n. The hyoid bone, 
or os hyoides. See cuts under In/oid and skull. 
tongue-case (tuug'kas), n. In entom., that part 
of the integument of a pupa which covers the 
tongue. It is seen in many chrysalids, and in the pupa 
of the sphinx.inoth it forms a curved appendage like the 
handle of a pitcher. 
tongue-chain (tung'ehan), . One of the chains 
which support the fore end of a wagon-tongue 
and connect it with the hames of the harness. 
tongue-compressor (timg'kom-pres"or), . A 
clamp for holding down the tongue during den- 
tal operations on the lower jaw. 
