hawk
/ˈhɔk/ verb C2- To expectorate, to cough up (something, such as mucus) from one's throat; to produce (something) by coughing or clearing one's throat. · to hawk a loogie
- To try to cough up something from one's throat; to clear the throat loudly; to cough heavily, especially causing uvular frication. · Grandpa sat on the front porch, hawking and wheezing, as he packed his pipe with cheap tobacco.
He/she/it hawks · Past hawked · Past participle hawked · -ing form hawking
Verb forms
- Base form
- hawk
- He/she/it
- hawks
- Past
- hawked
- Past participle
- hawked
- -ing form
- hawking
From the library
## The Hawk and the Nightingale
A NIGHTINGALE, sitting aloft upon an oak and singing according to his wont, was seen by a Hawk who, being in need of food, swooped down and seized him.
The Nightingale, about to lose his life, earnestly begged the Hawk to let him go, saying that he was not big enough to satisfy the hunger of a Hawk who, if he wanted food, ought to pursue the larger birds.
The Hawk, interrupting him, said: “I should indeed have lost my senses if I should let go food ready in my hand, for the sake of pursuing birds which are not yet even within sight.”
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