fag-end

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Noun

fag-end (plural fag-ends)

1. last remnant
   • 1903, Samuel Butler, The Way of All Flesh, ch 67:

     He wanted to drop the gentleman and go down into the ranks, beginning on the lowest rung of the ladder, where no one would know of his disgrace or mind it if he did know; his father and mother on the other hand would wish him to clutch on to the fag-end of gentility at a starvation salary and with no prospect of advancement.

   • 1981, Tam Dalyell, New Scientist, 22nd Oct. issue, Fresh Air at Brighton, page 265 ↗

     But spatchcocked into the proceedings at the fag-end of the morning was a crisp and useful debate on toxic substances.

2. frayed end of a length of cloth or rope
3. The unsmoked end of a cigarette or cigar

Synonyms

• tag end
• tail end

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