[kawf, kof] 
| 1. | to expel air from the lungs suddenly with a harsh noise, often involuntarily. |
| 2. | (of an internal-combustion engine) to make a similar noise as a result of the failure of one or more cylinders to fire in sequence. |
| 3. | to make a similar sound, as a machine gun firing in spurts. |
| 4. | to expel by coughing (usually fol. by up or out): to cough up phlegm. |
| 5. | the act or sound of coughing. |
| 6. | an illness characterized by frequent coughing. |
| 7. | a sound similar to a cough, a machine gun, or an engine firing improperly. |
| 8. | cough up, Slang.
|
cough (kôf)
v. coughed, cough·ing, coughs
To expel air from the lungs suddenly and noisily, often to keep the respiratory passages free of irritating material. n.
The act of coughing.
An illness marked by frequent coughing.
| cough (kôf, kŏf) Pronunciation Key
The act of expelling air from the lungs suddenly and noisily, often to keep the respiratory passages free of irritating material. |