haw

¹ American  

[haw] / hɔ /

verb (used without object)

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

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noun

1. a sound or pause of hesitation.

haw ² American  

[haw] / hɔ /

interjection

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

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to turn or make a turn to the left.

   The horse refused to haw.

haw ³ American  

[haw] / hɔ /

noun

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

2. the hawthorn.

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haw ⁴ American  

[haw] / hɔ /

noun

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

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Haw. ⁵ American  

abbreviation

1. Hawaii.

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haw ¹ British  

/ hɔː /

noun

1. an inarticulate utterance, as of hesitation, embarrassment, etc; hem

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verb

1. (intr) to make this sound

2. See hem 2

haw ² British  

/ hɔː /

noun

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

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haw ³ British  

/ hɔː /

noun

1. archaic a yard or close

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haw ⁴ British  

/ hɔː /

noun

1. the nictitating membrane of a horse or other domestic animal

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haw Idioms  

1. see hem and haw.

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Etymology

Origin of haw¹

First recorded in 1625–35; imitative

Origin of haw²

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; apparently originally the imperative haw! “look!” of Middle English hawen, Old English hāwian “to look, regard”; akin to Latin cavēre “to take precautions, beware”

Origin of haw³

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English haga, presumably identical with haga “hedge, fence”; hawthorn

Origin of haw⁴

First recorded in 1515–1525; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

But Baron Hoover did not answer straightaway; he hemmed and hawed and cleared his throat.

From Literature

The admiral hemmed and hawed as the giant beast approached.

From Literature

There’s not much hemming and hawing over the dilemma.

From Los Angeles Times

Invariably, Mitchell said, “the guy would hem and haw,” then opt for treatment.

From Los Angeles Times

I was hemming and hawing if I should even put this in because I hate to blow up a spot.

From New York Times

Related Words

• bean
• grain
• kernel