n. & v. (also hoop)
--n.
1. a loud cry of or as of excitement etc.
2 a long rasping indrawn breath in whooping cough.
--v.intr. utter a whoop.
Phrases and idioms:
whooping cough an infectious bacterial disease, esp. of children, with a series of short violent coughs followed by a whoop. whooping swan a swan, Cygnus cygnus, with a characteristic whooping sound in flight. whoop it up colloq.
1. engage in revelry.
2 US make a stir.
Etymology: ME: imit.