tug

n 1: a sudden abrupt pull [syn: {jerk}]

2: a powerful small boat designed to pull or push larger ships

[syn: {tugboat}, {towboat}]

v 1: pull hard; "The prisoner tugged at the chains"; "This movie

tugs at the heart strings"

2: exert oneself; "She tugged for years to make a decent

living" [syn: {labor}, {labour}, {push}, {drive}]

3: tow (a vessel) with a tug; "The tugboat tugged the freighter

into the harbor"

4: carry with difficulty; "You'll have to lug this suitcase"

[syn: {lug}, {tote}]

5: move by pulling hard: "The horse finally tugged the cart out

of the mud"

6: pull or strain hard at; "Each oar was tugged by several men"

7: struggle in opposition; "She tugged and wrestled with her

conflicts"