haw
1[ haw ]
/ hɔ /
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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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Question 1 of 9
Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
Origin of haw
1First recorded in 1625–35; imitative
Other definitions for haw (2 of 5)
haw2
[ 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
2An 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”
Other definitions for haw (3 of 5)
haw3
[ haw ]
/ hɔ /
noun
the fruit of the Old World hawthorn, Crataegus laevigata, or of other species of the same genus.
the hawthorn.
Origin of haw
3First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English haga, presumably identical with haga “hedge, fence”; cf. hawthorn
Other definitions for haw (4 of 5)
haw4
[ haw ]
/ hɔ /
noun
the thin, protective membrane at the inner corner of the lower eyelid of a horse, dog, etc.; nictitating membrane.
Origin of haw
4First recorded in 1515–1525; origin uncertain
Other definitions for haw (5 of 5)
Haw.
abbreviation
Hawaii.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use haw in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for haw (1 of 4)
haw1
/ (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
British Dictionary definitions for haw (2 of 4)
haw2
/ (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
British Dictionary definitions for haw (3 of 4)
haw3
/ (hɔː) /
noun
archaic a yard or close
Word Origin for haw
of unknown origin
British Dictionary definitions for haw (4 of 4)
haw4
/ (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
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Other Idioms and Phrases with haw
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.