retch
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Alternative forms [edit]
- reach (archaic, or, dialectal)
Etymology [edit]
From Middle English *recchen, *rechen, from Old English hrǣċan (“to clear the throat, hawk, spit”), from Proto-Germanic *hrēkijanan (“to clear one's throat”), from Proto-Indo-European *kreg- (“to caw, crow”). Cognate with Icelandic hrækja (“to hawk, spit”).
Pronunciation [edit]
Verb [edit]
retch (third-person singular simple present retches, present participle retching, simple past and past participle retched)
- To make an unsuccessful effort to vomit; to strain, as in vomiting.
- Byron
- Here he grew inarticulate with retching.
- Byron
Translations [edit]
To make an effort to vomit
