Dictionary-Definition.com :: Haw definition

Definition of 'haw'

noun

A spring-flowering shrub or small tree of the genus Crataegus [syn: hawthorn, haw]

noun

The nictitating membrane of a horse

verb

Utter `haw'; "he hemmed and hawed"

From: GCIDE

Haw \Haw\, v. i. To stop, in speaking, with a sound like haw; to speak with interruption and hesitation. [1913 Webster]
Cut it short; don't prose -- don't hum and haw. --Chesterfield. [1913 Webster]
hemming and hawing speaking hesitantly and inarticulately, with numerous pauses and interjections. [PJC]

From: GCIDE

Haw \Haw\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Hawed (h[add]d); p. pr. & vb. n. Hawing.] [Written also hoi.] [Perhaps connected with here, hither; cf., however, F. huhau, hurhau, hue, interj. used in turning a horse to the right, G. hott, h["u], interj. used in calling to a horse.] To turn to the near side, or toward the driver; -- said of cattle or a team: a word used by teamsters in guiding their teams, and most frequently in the imperative. See Gee. [1913 Webster]
To haw and gee, or To haw and gee about, to go from one thing to another without good reason; to have no settled purpose; to be irresolute or unstable. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Haw \Haw\ (h[add]), n. [OE. hawe, AS. haga; akin to D. haag headge, G. hag, hecke, Icel. hagi pasture, Sw. hage, Dan. have garden. [root]12. Cf. Haggard, Ha-ha, Haugh, Hedge.] [1913 Webster]
1. A hedge; an inclosed garden or yard. [1913 Webster]
And eke there was a polecat in his haw. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
2. The fruit of the hawthorn. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Haw \Haw\, v. t. To cause to turn, as a team, to the near side, or toward the driver; as, to haw a team of oxen. [1913 Webster]
To haw and gee, or To haw and gee about, to lead this way and that at will; to lead by the nose; to master or control. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Haw \Haw\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Anat.) The third eyelid, or nictitating membrane. See {Nictitating membrane}, under Nictitate. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Haw \Haw\, n. [Cf. ha an interjection of wonder, surprise, or hesitation.] An intermission or hesitation of speech, with a sound somewhat like haw! also, the sound so made. "Hums or haws." --Congreve. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Hawthorn \Haw"thorn`\ (h[add]"th[^o]rn`), n. [AS. haga[thorn]orn, h[ae]g[thorn]orn. See Haw a hedge, and Thorn.] (Bot.) A thorny shrub or tree (the Crat[ae]gus oxyacantha), having deeply lobed, shining leaves, small, roselike, fragrant flowers, and a fruit called haw. It is much used in Europe for hedges, and for standards in gardens. The American hawthorn is Crat[ae]gus cordata, which has the leaves but little lobed. [1913 Webster]
Gives not the hawthorn bush a sweeter shade To shepherds? --Shak. [1913 Webster]