[Alteration of TANG sb.1; but often confused or associated with TWANG sb.1]
1. A penetrating or persisting taste, flavor, or odor, usually disagreeable: = TANG sb.1 5.
1611. Cotgr., Deboire, an after taste, ill smacke, or twang, which an vnsauorie thing leaues behind in the mouth.
1670. W. Simpson, Hydrol. Ess., 69. The brackishness and sulphureous twang of the lee of kelp.
1768. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), I. 468. Though the liquor was not at all impaired thereby … it might get some twang of the vessel.
1809. Med. Jrnl., XXI. 476. Its smell is alliaceous, mixed with another twang … still less grateful.
1859. F. E. Paget, Curate of Cumberworth, 242. I particularly dislike a twang of onion.
1891. T. Hardy, Tess, xxii. A customer … complained that the butter had a twang.
b. A tongue with a twang: see TANG sb.1 5 c.
1667. Dryden & Davenant, Tempest, II. i. She had a tongue with a twang.
2. fig. A trace or suggestion of some specified origin, quality, or the like; a ‘smack,’ touch, tinge; a taint; TANG sb.1 6.
1633. Massinger, Guardian, V. iv. This is neither begging, borrowing, nor robbery; Yet it hath a twang of all of them.
1678. Dryden, Limberham, II. i. A twang of the mother; but I love to graff on such a crab-tree.
1702. Eng. Theophrast., 331. The Fondness or Indifference that Philosophers express’d for Life, was but a particular Twang of the Love of themselves.
1826. Scott, Jrnl., 2 May. Yesterday had a twang of frost in it.
1855. Hawthorne, Eng. Note-bks. (1870), I. 284. This position of tutor to a young Englishman … has an ugly twang of upper servitude.
† 3. A tooth; esp. a canine tooth, a fang. Cf. TANG sb.1 2 b. Obs.
1677. Plot, Oxfordsh., 276. Rapine with her fiery eyes, grinning teeth, sharp twangs, her hand imbrewed in blood.
1682. Lond. Gaz., No. 1782/4. Lost…, two Land Spaniels, a Dog and Bitch,… the ends of the two upper Twangs of the Dog cut off.
