vi :  to expel air from the lungs suddenly with an explosive noise usu. in a series of efforts vt  :  to expel by coughing - often used with up < up mucus> 
, n 1  :  an ailment manifesting itself by frequent coughing <he has a bad >   2  :  an explosive expulsion of air from the lungs acting as a protective mechanism to clear the air passages or as a symptom of pulmonary disturbance .
 
 
 
Similar sounding terms:  cav   cava  Ca·via  ca·vy 
 
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