Category:Cackle

Cac"kle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Cackled (-k'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Cackling.] Etym: [OE. cakelen; cf. LG. kakeln, D. kakelen, G. gackeln, gackern; all of imitative origin. Cf. Gagle, Cake to cackle.]

1. To make a sharp, broken noise or cry, as a hen or goose does. When every goose is cackling. Shak.

2. To laugh with a broken noise, like the cackling of a hen or a goose; to giggle. Arbuthnot.

3. To talk in a silly manner; to prattle. Johnson.

Cackle Cac"kle, n.

1. The sharp broken noise made by a goose or by a hen that has laid an egg. By her cackle saved the state. Dryden.

2. Idle talk; silly prattle. There is a buzz and cackle all around regarding the sermon. Thackeray.