Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

cackle

 - 3 dictionary results

cack⋅le

  [kak-uhl] verb, -led, -ling, noun
Use cackle in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to utter a shrill, broken sound or cry, as of a hen.
2. to laugh in a shrill, broken manner.
3. to chatter noisily; prattle.
–verb (used with object)
4. to utter with cackles; express by cackling: They cackled their disapproval.
–noun
5. the act or sound of cackling.
6. chatter; idle talk.
Origin:
1175–1225; ME cakelen; c. D kakelen, LG kakeln, Sw kackla

Related forms:
cackler, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To cackle
cack·le   (kāk'əl)   
v.   cack·led, cack·ling, cack·les

v.   intr.

  1. To make the shrill cry characteristic of a hen after laying an egg.

  2. To laugh or talk in a shrill manner.

v.   tr.
To utter in cackles: cackled a sarcastic reply.
n.  

  1. The act or sound of cackling.

  2. Shrill laughter.

  3. Foolish chatter.


[Middle English cakelen, probably from Middle Low German kākeln, of imitative origin.]
cack'ler n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

cackle 
c.1225, imitative, partly based on M.Du. kake "jaw." Cackleberries, slang for "eggs" is first recorded 1880.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see cackle on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way