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The Collaborative International Dictionary
To fang a pump

Fang \Fang\, n. [From Fang, v. t.; cf. AS. fang a taking, booty, G. fang.]

  1. (Zo["o]l.) The tusk of an animal, by which the prey is seized and held or torn; a long pointed tooth; esp., one of the usually erectile, venomous teeth of serpents. Also, one of the falcers of a spider.

    Since I am a dog, beware my fangs.
    --Shak.

  2. Any shoot or other thing by which hold is taken.

    The protuberant fangs of the yucca.
    --Evelyn.

  3. (Anat.) The root, or one of the branches of the root, of a tooth. See Tooth.

  4. (Mining) A niche in the side of an adit or shaft, for an air course.
    --Knight.

  5. (Mech.) A projecting tooth or prong, as in a part of a lock, or the plate of a belt clamp, or the end of a tool, as a chisel, where it enters the handle.

  6. (Naut.)

    1. The valve of a pump box.

    2. A bend or loop of a rope.

      In a fang, fast entangled.

      To lose the fang, said of a pump when the water has gone out; hence:

      To fang a pump, to supply it with the water necessary to make it operate. [Scot.]