Crossword clues for chuckle
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Chuckle \Chuc"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chuckled; p. pr. & vb. n. Chuckling.] [From 1st Chuck.]
To call, as a hen her chickens; to cluck. [Obs.]
--Dryden.To fondle; to cocker. [Obs.]
--Dryden.
Chuckle \Chuc"kle\, n. A short, suppressed laugh; the expression of satisfaction, exultation, or derision.
Chuckle \Chuc"kle\, v. i. [From 1st Chuck.] To laugh in a suppressed or broken manner, as expressing inward satisfaction, exultation, or derision.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1590s, frequentative of Middle English chukken "make a clucking noise" (late 14c.), of echoic origin. It originally meant "noisy laughter." Related: Chuckled; chuckling.
1754, from chuckle (v.).
Wiktionary
n. A quiet laugh. vb. 1 To laugh quietly or inwardly. 2 (context intransitive archaic English) To make the sound of a chicken; to cluck. 3 (context transitive archaic English) To call together, or call to follow, as a hen calls her chickens; to cluck. 4 (context transitive archaic English) To fondle; to indulge or pamper.
WordNet
n. a soft partly suppressed laugh [syn: chortle]
v. laugh quietly or with restraint [syn: chortle, laugh softly]
Usage examples of "chuckle".
When Avis was stretched atop him with his organ snugly captured, he chuckled.
Dugo Bagy said with an obviously nervous chuckle, and he moved to the seat even as he spoke, Han taking a chair on one side of him, Chewie on the other.
Still, every now and then she would wake in the chasm night to the sound of floppers honking in the root mat, half dreaming about hiding on the rootwall, lumps of charcoal in her hands, looking up at the adze-cut end of the mainroot while hearing from below that phlegmy chuckle as Slysaw Bander came climbing up the stairs.
Beedie could think of was that phlegmy chuckle of old Slysaw Bander, the sneering eyes of Byle Bander, the two of them like as root hairs.
The idea of a man wearing a hat to his own beheading suddenly struck Radcliffe as tremendously amusing, and he began to chuckle, an ugly sound.
George chuckled, perfectly understanding that for some unknown reason Bibbs enjoyed hearing him repeat his opinion of the Moor.
He sat back watching the hugging and rejoicing, then slowly turned to leave, he felt a tugging on his ear and chuckled, Bitsy fluttered around his head and giggling kissed him on the cheek.
Evidently getting on like matches in a paper shop, they were propping up the bar, chuckling about something in a blokey kind of way.
The black chuckled and, descending a step, raised the pistol and blunderbuss into the air.
Van Dusen chuckled lowly as Bonhomme quickly secured the front door and lowered the steel hurricane shutters to protect the windows.
Oncle Jazon chuckled reminiscently and scratched the skinless, cicatrized spot where his scalp had once flourished.
She leaned against him heavily with a throaty chuckle like the cooing of a fat gray pigeon.
Van Deef let the buzz of chuckles and speculation run for a long moment before raising his hand.
He chuckled at his own jest, then rose to trudge over to where she sat, Dob trailing after like a loyal hound.
Andrea, surprised, chuckled, then realized Eppie was straight-faced serious.