aggie

aggie — noun

1. a college or university that focuses on farming, animal care, and land managemen

1.noun
Definition

a college or university that focuses on farming, animal care, and land management — used informally, and most often linked to Texas A&M University

Example

Joon chose an aggie because he wanted to work with farm animals.

choosing an aggie for career reasons

There is an aggie about forty miles south of Gita's hometown.

Common collocations
  • go to an aggie
  • aggie college
  • aggie degree
  • aggie ring
Synonyms
  • agricultural college

    the formal, standard term; 'aggie' is a casual shortening

  • ag school

    another informal shortening, also common in American English

Usage Note

Often written with a capital A (Aggie) when referring to Texas A&M University, its sports teams, or its students and graduates.

2. a small glass ball with coloured swirls or patterns inside, used in children's m

2.noun
Definition

a small glass ball with coloured swirls or patterns inside, used in children's marble games

Example

Camila pulled a shiny blue aggie from her pocket and joined the game.

pulled an aggie from her pocket

Iker traded his best aggie for two smaller marbles at recess.

Common collocations
  • shoot aggies
  • trade aggies
  • play aggies
Synonyms
  • marble

    the common word for any small ball used in the game; 'aggie' is an old-fashioned or regional variant

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three terms refer to a college that specialises in farming and land-based studies. 'Agricultural college' is the formal, standard term used in official contexts such as university brochures and government reports. 'Ag school' is a clipped form used casually in everyday American speech — it sounds friendly and unpretentious. 'Aggie' is even more informal and carries a strong cultural link to Texas A&M University, where 'Aggie' is a proud identity label for students and alumni. You would say 'I got my degree from an aggie' in casual conversation, write 'agricultural college' on a job application, and tell a friend 'my cousin is at ag school upstate.'

agricultural collegeag school

Etymology

English

Sense 1 is a shortened form of 'agricultural', first used in American English to refer to agricultural colleges. Sense 2 probably comes from 'agate', the banded stone once commonly used to make playing marbles before glass became the standard material.

First known use

1902

1902, in the meaning defined above Noun (2)