What is "ragging"

Rag \Rag\ (r[a^]g), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ragged (r[a^]gd); p. pr. & vb. n. Ragging (r[a^]g"g[i^]ng).] To become tattered. [Obs.]

n. The act of one who rags or teases. vb. (present participle of rag English)

1. n. a small piece of cloth or paper [syn: shred, tag, tag end, tatter]

2. a week at British universities during which side-shows and processions of floats are organized to raise money for charities [syn: rag week]

3. music with a syncopated melody (usually for the piano) [syn: ragtime]

4. newspaper with half-size pages [syn: tabloid, sheet]

5. a boisterous practical joke (especially by college students)

6. [also: ragging, ragged]

1. v. treat cruelly; "The children tormented the stuttering teacher" [syn: torment, bedevil, crucify, dun, frustrate]

2. cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations; "Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me"; "It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves" [syn: annoy, get to, bother, get at, irritate, rile, nark, nettle, gravel, vex, chafe, devil]

3. play in ragtime; "rag that old tune"

4. harass with persistent criticism or carping; "The children teased the new teacher"; "Don't ride me so hard over my failure"; "His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie" [syn: tease, razz, cod, tantalize, tantalise, bait, taunt, twit, rally, ride]

5. censure severely or angrily; "The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car"; "The deputy ragged the Prime Minister"; "The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup" [syn: call on the carpet, rebuke, trounce, reproof, lecture, reprimand, jaw, dress down, call down, scold, chide, berate, bawl out, remonstrate, chew out, chew up, have words, lambaste, lambast]

6. break into lumps before sorting; "rag ore"

7. [also: ragging, ragged]

See rag

Ragging is a practice similar to hazing in educational institutions. The word is mainly used in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Ragging involves existing students baiting or bullying new students. It often takes a malignant form wherein the newcomers may be subjected to psychological or physical torture. In 2009 the University Grants Commission of India imposed regulations upon Indian universities to help curb ragging, and launched a toll-free 'anti ragging helpline'.

Ragging is a 1973 Indian Malayalam film, directed by NN Pisharady . The film stars P. J. Antony, Sankaradi, Balan K Nair and Jameela Malik in lead roles. The film had musical score by M. K. Arjunan.