gar·gle
 gargle
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- pronunciation:
- gar
g
l
- parts of speech:
- intransitive verb, transitive verb, noun
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word History, Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
gargles, gargling, gargled |
| definition 1: |
to tip the head back and exhale through a liquid held at the back of the throat, as with a medication or mouthwash.
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| definition 2: |
to emit a sound like that produced by this action.
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to treat (the throat or mouth) by gargling a liquid.
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| definition 2: |
to use (a liquid) to treat the throat or mouth by gargling.
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| definition 3: |
to utter with a gargling sound.
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a liquid intended for use in gargling.
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| definition 2: |
the sound of or a sound similar to gargling.
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| derivation: |
gargler (n.) |
Gargle comes from
gargouille, an early French word that means "throat."
Gargoyle comes from the same French word. The open mouths of gargoyles were often made into water spouts.