I. ˈhȯ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English hawe, from Old English haga hedge, hawthorn — more at hedge
1. : a piece of enclosed ground : yard
2.
a. : a hawthorn berry
b. : hawthorne
3.
a. : the fruit of any of several shrubs or trees of the genus Viburnum
b. : a shrub or tree bearing such fruit
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
: nictitating membrane ; especially : an inflamed nictitating membrane of a domesticated mammal
III. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: imitative
: to inject a haw or a sound like it into one's speech during a hesitation or pause — usually used with hem
did a lot of hemming and hawing during his talk
IV. noun
( -s )
: a sound often made by speakers during a pause while they are collecting their thoughts
V. verb
Etymology: origin unknown
verb imperative
— used (1) as a command to a team or draft animal to turn to the left; (2) as a call in square dancing to progress to the left; compare gee I
intransitive verb
-ed/-ing/-s
1. : to cry out the command haw to a draft animal
we geed and hawed until we were hoarse — A.M.Bailey
2. : to turn to the near or left side
the mare geed when she should have hawed
3. : to obey the command haw