Peg (?), n. [OE. pegge; cf. Sw. pigg, Dan. pig a point, prickle, and E. peak.] 1. A small, pointed piece of wood, used in fastening boards together, in attaching the soles of boots or shoes, etc.; as, a shoe peg.
2. A wooden pin, or nail, on which to hang things, as coats, etc. Hence, colloquially and figuratively: A support; a reason; a pretext; as, a peg to hang a claim upon.
3. One of the pins of a musical instrument, on which the strings are strained. Shak.
4. One of the pins used for marking points on a cribbage board.
5. A step; a degree; esp. in the slang phrase “To take one down a peg.”
To screw papal authority to the highest peg. Barrow.
And took your grandees down a peg. Hudibras.
Peg ladder, a ladder with but one standard, into which cross pieces are inserted. — Peg tankard, an ancient tankard marked with pegs, so as divide the liquor into equal portions. “Drink down to your peg.” Longfellow. — Peg tooth. See Fleam tooth under Fleam. — Peg top, a boy's top which is spun by throwing it. — Screw peg, a small screw without a head, for fastening soles.