cough

 
Pronunciation: /kɒf/

verb

[no object]
  • expel air from the lungs with a sudden sharp sound: he tried to speak and started to cough
  • (of an engine) make a sudden harsh noise, especially as a sign of malfunction: the engine began coughing and spluttering
  • [with object] force (something, especially blood) out of the lungs or throat by coughing: he coughed up bloodstained fluid
  • [with object] (cough something out) say something in an abrupt way: he coughed out his orders
  • British informal reveal information; confess: once he realized we knew, he was ready to cough fast enough

noun

  • an act or sound of coughing: she gave a discreet cough
  • a condition of the respiratory organs causing coughing: he looked feverish and had a bad cough

Phrasal Verbs

cough something up (or cough up)

informal give something reluctantly, especially money or information that is due or required: the company coughed up $40 m. in settlement of the legal claims

Derivatives

cougher

noun

Origin:

Middle English: of imitative origin; related to Dutch kuchen 'to cough' and German keuchen 'to pant'