cack´ler

cack|le «KAK uhl», noun, verb, -led, -ling.

–n.

1. the shrill, broken sound that a hen makes, especially after laying an egg: »

The cackle in the henhouse awoke the farmer.

2. shrill, harsh, or broken laughter: »

Before the comedian finished the joke, there were a few cackles from the audience. It was really a cackle, a prankster's giggle at having pulled a mad trick (Atlantic).

3. Figurative. noisy chatter; silly talk.

–v.i.

1. to make a shrill, broken sound, especially after laying an egg: »

The hens started to cackle early in the morning.

2. to laugh in a shrill, harsh, or broken way: »

The old man cackled at his own joke.

3. Figurative. = chatter. (Cf. ↑chatter)

–v.t.

to utter with or express by cackling.

╂[Middle English cakelen; imitative]

–cack´ler, noun.