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definitions

haw

1
[ haw ]
/ hɔ /
|

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).

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Nearby words

  1. havoc,
  2. havre,
  3. havre, le,
  4. havurah,
  5. havírov,
  6. haw-haw,
  7. haw-haw, lord,
  8. haw.,
  9. hawaii,
  10. hawaii time

Origin of haw

1
First recorded in 1625–35; imitative

haw

2
[ haw ]
/ hɔ /

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 or without object)

to turn or make a turn to the left: The horse refused to haw.
Compare gee1.

Origin of haw

2
1835–45, Americanism; apparently orig. the imperative haw! look! of Middle English hawen, Old English hāwian; akin to Latin cavēre to beware
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for hawing

British Dictionary definitions for hawing

haw

1
/ (hɔː) /

noun

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

Word Origin for haw

Old English haga, identical with haga hedge; related to Old Norse hagi pasture

haw

2
/ (hɔː) /

noun, interjection

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

verb

(intr) to make this sound
hem and haw or hum and haw See hem 2 (def. 3)

Word Origin for haw

C17: of imitative origin

haw

3
/ (hɔː) /

noun

archaic a yard or close

Word Origin for haw

of unknown origin

haw

4
/ (hɔː) /

noun

the nictitating membrane of a horse or other domestic animal

Word Origin for haw

C15: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for hawing
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with hawing

haw

see hem and haw.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.