hoot

hoot

hoot¹ [ho͞ot]

vi.

[ME houten, of echoic orig., as also in Swed, Norw huta]

1. to utter its characteristic hollow sound: said of an owl

2. to utter a sound like this

3. to shout or cry out, esp. in scorn or disapproval

vt.

1. to express (scorn, disapproval, etc.) of by hooting

2. to drive or chase away by hooting [to hoot an actor off the stage]

n.

1. the sound that an owl makes

2. any sound like this

3. a loud shout or cry of scorn or disapproval

☆ 4. the least bit; whit [not worth a hoot]

5. Informal a very amusing person, thing, event, etc. [it's an old joke but a real hoot]

hoot² [ho͞ots, o͞otsho͞ot, o͞ot]

interj.

[? var. of HOOT¹] [Scot. or North Eng.] used to express objection, irritation, etc.: also hoots [ho͞ots, o͞ots]