Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Cough \Cough\, n. [Cg. D. kuch. See {Cough}, v. i. ]
1. A sudden, noisy, and violent expulsion of air from the
chest, caused by irritation in the air passages, or by the
reflex action of nervous or gastric disorder, etc.
2. The more or less frequent repetition of coughing,
constituting a symptom of disease.
{Stomach cough}, {Ear cough}, cough due to irritation in the
stomach or ear.
Cough \Cough\ (k?f), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Coughed} (k?ft); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Coughing}.] [Cf. D. kuchen, MHG. k?chen to
breathe, G. keuchen to pant, and E. chincough, the first part
of which is prob. akin to cough; cf. also E. choke.]
To expel air, or obstructing or irritating matter, from the
lungs or air passages, in a noisy and violent manner.
Cough \Cough\, v. t.
1. To expel from the lungs or air passages by coughing; --
followed by up; as, to cough up phlegm.
2. To bring to a specified state by coughing; as, he coughed
himself hoarse.
{To cough down}, to silence or put down (an objectionable
speaker) by simulated coughing.
Source : WordNet®
cough
n 1: sudden expulsion of air from the lungs that clears the air
passages; a common symptom of upper respiratory
infection or bronchitis or pneumonia or tuberculosis
[syn: {coughing}]
2: the act of exhaling air suddenly with a noise [syn: {coughing}]
cough
v : exhale abruptly, as when one has a chest cold or congestion;
"The smoker coughs all day"