Dictionary Thesaurus Word Dynamo Quotes Reference Translator Spanish

haw

[haw]

Origin

verb (used without object)

to utter a sound representing a hesitation or pause in speech.

noun

a sound or pause of hesitation. Compare hem² (def. 3).

:10

:09

:08

:07

:06

:05

:04

:03

:02

:01

Haw is one of our favorite verbs.

So is subtilize. Does it mean:

to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about.

chat, to converse

LEARN MORE FUN, UNUSUAL VERBS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Origin:
1625–35; imitative

Dictionary.com Unabridged

interjection

(used as a word of command to a horse or other draft animal, usually directing it to turn to the left.)

verb (used with object), verb (used without object)

to turn or make a turn to the left: The horse refused to haw.

Compare gee¹.

Origin:
1835–45, Americanism; apparently orig. the imperative haw! look! of Middle English hawen, Old English hāwian; akin to Latin cavēre to beware

noun

the fruit of the Old World hawthorn, Crataegus laevigata, or of other species of the same genus.

the hawthorn.

Origin:
before 1000; Middle English; Old English haga, presumably identical with haga hedge, fence; compare hawthorn

noun

the thin, protective membrane at the inner corner of the lower eyelid of a horse, dog, etc.; nictitating membrane.

Origin:
1515–1525; origin uncertain

Hawaii.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source

Link To haw

Collins

World English Dictionary

haw¹ (hɔː)

—n
1.	the round or oval fruit (a pome) of the hawthorn, usually red or yellow, containing one to five seeds
2.	another name for hawthorn

[Old English haga, identical with hagahedge; related to Old Norse hagi pasture]

haw² (hɔː)

—n, —*interj*
1.	an inarticulate utterance, as of hesitation, embarrassment, etc; hem

—vb
2.	(intr) to make this sound
3.	hem and haw, hum and haw See hem

[C17: of imitative origin]

haw³ (hɔː)

—n
	archaic a yard or close

[of unknown origin]

haw⁴ (hɔː)

—n
	the nictitating membrane of a horse or other domestic animal

[C15: of unknown origin]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

haw

"enclosure," O.E. haga "enclosure, hedge," from P.Gmc. *khag- (cf. O.N. hagi, O.S. hago, M.Du. hage, Du. haag, as in the city name The Hague). See hag and hedge. Meaning "fruit of the hawthorn bush" (O.E.) is perhaps short for *hægberie.

American Heritage

Idioms & Phrases

haw

see hem and haw.