croak

views updated May 14 2018

croak / krōk/ • n. a deep hoarse sound made by a frog or a crow. ∎  a sound resembling this, esp. one made by a person.• v. [intr.] 1. (of a frog or crow) make a characteristic deep hoarse sound. ∎  (of a person) make a similar sound when speaking or laughing: “Thank you,” I croaked. ∎ archaic prophesy evil or misfortune, esp. unjustifiably and to the irritation of others.2. inf. die: he finally croaked in 1987. ∎  [tr.] kill (someone).

croak

views updated Jun 11 2018

croak vb. XVI. Preceded by synon. †crok (XIII), with similar imit. formations, viz. OE. cræccettan, ME. †crake (XIV). †creke (see CREAK), †crouk (XIV), †craik (XV).