cough

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cough / kôf/ • v. [intr.] expel air from the lungs with a sudden sharp sound. ∎  (of an engine) make a sudden harsh noise, esp. as a sign of malfunction. ∎  [tr.] force (something, esp. blood) out of the lungs or throat by coughing: he coughed up bloodstained fluid. ∎  [tr.] (cough something out) say something in a harsh, abrupt way.• n. an act or sound of coughing. ∎  a condition of the respiratory organs causing coughing.PHRASAL VERBS: cough something up (or cough up) give something reluctantly, esp. money or information that is due or required.

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