First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1cough
verb \ˈkȯf\
: to force air through your throat with a short, loud noise often because you are sick
: to make a noise like that of coughing
Full Definition of COUGH
intransitive verb
1
: to expel air from the lungs suddenly with an explosive noise
2
: to make a noise like that of coughing
transitive verb
: to expel by coughing —often used with up <cough up mucus>
See cough defined for English-language learners
See cough defined for kids
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Origin of COUGH
Middle English, from Old English *cohhian; akin to Middle High German kūchen to breathe heavily
2cough
noun
: a physical condition or illness that causes someone to cough
: an act of coughing or the sound made when someone coughs
Full Definition of COUGH
1
: a condition marked by repeated or frequent coughing
2
: an act or sound of coughing
See cough defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of COUGH
14th century
COUGH Defined for Kids
1cough
verb \ˈkȯf\
coughedcough·ing
Definition of COUGH for Kids
1
: to force air from the lungs suddenly with a sharp short noise or series of noises
2
: to get rid of by coughing <cough up mucus>
2cough
noun
Definition of COUGH for Kids
1
: a condition in which there is severe or frequent coughing <She has a bad cough.>
2
: an act or sound of coughing <a dry cough>
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