to expel air from the lungs suddenly with a harsh noise, often involuntarily.
(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.
to make a similar sound, as a machine gun firing in spurts.
verb (used with object)
to expel by coughing (usually followed by up or out): to cough up phlegm.
noun
the act or sound of coughing.
an illness characterized by frequent coughing.
a sound similar to a cough, a machine gun, or an engine firing improperly.
Verb Phrases
cough up,Slang.
to relinquish, especially reluctantly; contribute; give.
to blurt out; state, as by way of making a confession: After several hours of vigorous questioning by the police, he finally coughed up the information.
Origin of cough
1275–1325; Middle English coghen, apparently <Old English *cohhian (compare its derivative cohhettan to cough); akin to Dutch kuchen to cough, German keuchen to wheeze
Coronaviruses like SARS and MERS tend to infect deep in the lungs, so the new coronavirus is probably spread mainly by people with symptoms, such as a cough, or during such medical procedures as being intubated.
Here’s what we’ve learned in six months of COVID-19 — and what we still don’t know|Erin Garcia de Jesus|June 30, 2020|Science News
Wearing any face covering, including bandanas or neck warmers, could at least partially block the cloud of droplets released in a cough, the experiment showed.
Why scientists say wearing masks shouldn’t be controversial|Tina Hesman Saey|June 26, 2020|Science News
Two days before the ceremony the bride’s 58-year-old father, who had traveled from Spain, felt feverish and developed a runny nose and cough.
COVID-19 case clusters offer lessons and warnings for reopening|Helen Thompson|June 18, 2020|Science News
Michalak says that previous audiological research has revealed differences between sick and healthy coughs, but the human ear may not be able to distinguish them.
No, you can’t hear the difference between sick and healthy coughs|Jonathan Lambert|June 9, 2020|Science News
Indirect contact might occur when an infected person uses their hand to cover a cough or a sneeze, then touches an object.
Six foot social-distancing will not always be enough for COVID-19|Tina Hesman Saey|April 23, 2020|Science News For Students
Some cough up preposterous jury awards, while others lay bare the egregious failures of the criminal justice system.
How One Lawsuit Shows What’s Wrong With America|James Poulos|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Will went on to say doctors believe a “sneeze or some cough” can spread Ebola.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: October 19|PunditFact.com|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It can spread through a sneeze, cough, sharing a beverage or speaking up close with someone who has the disease.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: October 19|PunditFact.com|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Brosseau said her views had nothing to do with Ebola spreading among the public at large through a sneeze or cough.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: October 19|PunditFact.com|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Get a flu shot, wash your hands, and cover your mouth when you cough.
Parents’ Ebola Panic Is Taking Over My Clinic|Russell Saunders|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Symptoms: Cough, rapid breathing, whistling, rattling and bubbling in throat.
Pratt's Practical Pointers on the Care of Livestock and Poultry|Pratt Food Co.
My cough prevented my going out, but we had Sunday-afternoon service in the chapel, with beautiful singing.
The Story of My Life, volumes 4-6|Augustus J. C. Hare
Charlie Tagg gave a bit of a cough and said it wanted considering.
The Nest Egg|W.W. Jacobs
It was wicked to cough in church, as it was a sacrilege to play with a hymn-book.
The Uncalled|Paul Laurence Dunbar
It cost a lot of money to obtain this title and the Serb multi-billionaire Karic was only too glad to cough it up.
After the Rain|Sam Vaknin
British Dictionary definitions for cough
cough
/ (kɒf) /
verb
(intr)to expel air or solid matter from the lungs abruptly and explosively through the partially closed vocal chords
(intr)to make a sound similar to this
(tr)to utter or express with a cough or coughs
(intr)slangto confess to a crime
noun
an act, instance, or sound of coughing
a condition of the lungs or throat that causes frequent coughing
Derived forms of cough
cougher, noun
Word Origin for cough
Old English cohhetten; related to Middle Dutch kochen, Middle High German kūchen to wheeze; probably of imitative origin