wigwags

Noun

wigwag (plural wigwags)

1. Any of a number of mechanical or electrical devices which cause a component to oscillate between two states.
   • The wig-wag [an instrument measuring solar radiation] utilizes the principle that the gaseous phase of a volatile liquid expands as a result of the conversion of radiant energy to sensible heat. It requires only a reading of the count at whatever interval the observer chooses.1968, Jen-Hu Chang, “Introduction”, in Climate and Agriculture: An Ecological Survey, Chicago, Ill.: Aldine Pub. Co., →OCLC; republished New Brunswick, N.J.: Aldine Transaction, Transaction...
   1. A device that causes one or more lights to flash in a preset pattern.
      • Framed by the pulsing wig-wag lights the painted the stone walls and arched windows of the front of the Gallatin Gateway Inn in vivid reds and blues, Cody Hoyt tossed the duffel he'd saved into the back of his Ford.2011 August, C[harles] J[ames] Box[, Jr.], chapter 21, in Back of Beyond, New York, N.Y.: Minotaur Books, St. Martin's Press, →ISBN, page 209
   2. A red light near the door of a sound stage that flashes to indicate that cameras are rolling inside the stage and that all people and vehicles outside should remain quiet; a red-eye.
      • I parked near a big sound stage building; lamped a red wig-wag signal rocking back and forth to indicate a scene being shot inside. This meant no admittance until the cameras had stopped grinding. Presently a bell jingled and the wig-wag died.1943 March, Robert Leslie Bellem, “Russian Run-around”, in Dan Turner, Hollywood Detective, Wilmington, Del.: Culture Publications, →OCLC; republished as Russian Run-around, [Prineville, Or.]: eStar...
   3. A device used to cause lamps installed on a motor vehicle, especially an emergency vehicle such as an ambulance or police car, to flash as a warning.
      • Rogan hit the wigwag flashers on the headlights of the Crown Vic and made it to the circular driveway at the Sixth Avenue entrance of the Hilton in four minutes flat.2009, Alafair Burke, City of Fear, London: Avon, →ISBN
   4. A device with multiple (often two), alternately flashing lights which is installed at a railway level crossing (or grade crossing), a movable bridge, etc., to warn vehicular traffic to stop.
      • Travelling home about half past ten o'clock on a recent night he had seen a motor-car which had been driven into the cattle-stop on the railway-line. It was a bad night from a visibility point of view, and the wig-wag was not operating, as no train was in sight. However, before the motor-car was...1935 September 25, W[alter] Nash (Hutt), “[House of Representatives.] Adjournment: Questions”, in New Zealand. Parliamentary Debates. Fifth Session, Twenty-fourth Parliament. Legislative Council and...
   5. An instrument that creates a wigwagging motion for polishing.
      • The wigwag is used for polishing the shoulders of pinions, pinion leaves, staffs and pivots, and for numerous other operations. […] These tools are used extensively in all the American watch factories.1894, Henry G. Abbott, “WIGWAG”, in Abbott’s American Watchmaker and Jeweler. An Encyclopedia for the Horologist, Jeweler, Gold and Silversmith, Containing […] Receipts and Formulas Compiled from the...

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