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View synonyms for

haw

1

[haw]

verb (used without object)

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



noun

  1. a sound or pause of hesitation.

haw

2

[haw]

interjection

  1. (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)

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

    The horse refused to haw.

haw

3

[haw]

noun

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

  2. the hawthorn.

haw

4

[haw]

noun

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

Haw.

5

abbreviation

  1. Hawaii.

haw

1

/ ɔː /

noun

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

“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

verb

  1. (intr) to make this sound

  2. See hem 2

“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

haw

2

/ ɔː /

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

“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

haw

3

/ ɔː /

noun

  1. archaica yard or close

“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

haw

4

/ ɔː /

noun

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

“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
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Word History and Origins

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 ɾ “to look, regard”; akin to Latin ŧ “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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of haw1

C17: of imitative origin

Origin of haw2

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

Origin of haw3

of unknown origin

Origin of haw4

C15: of unknown origin
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Idioms and Phrases

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

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

From

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

From

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

From

The goal was to just put a period on that phase of their life and just say, “Enough of the hemming and hawing. We’re walking forward either way.”

From

And they're hemming and hawing and saying, what if they use it as .

From

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