25 March 2017

guffaw

[guh-faw, guh-]

noun

1. a loud, unrestrained burst of laughter.
verb (used without object)
2. to laugh loudly and boisterously.

Origin of guffaw

1710-1720; perhaps imitative

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for guffaw

Contemporary Examples

She had an incredible laugh—something between a giggle and a guffaw.
Saying Goodbye to Doc
Maryanne Vollers
June 25, 2009

Even those who support union with Russia guffaw when asked whether the referendum will be above board.
Crimeans Are Resigned To Pro-Russia Vote
Jamie Dettmer
March 14, 2014

Historical Examples

At the two first times Tom smiled suspiciously—at the last he burst out into an absolute “ guffaw.”
Humorous Ghost Stories
Dorothy Scarborough

A tremendous shout from one end of the ship to the other stopped his guffaw.
Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard
Joseph Conrad

There was a nervous ring in the guffaw which concluded his question.
Unleavened Bread
Robert Grant

“Old Taffs started a cigar-case,” said Dick, bursting into a guffaw.
Menhardoc
George Manville Fenn

The Parnass took snuff, and his sneeze sounded like a guffaw.
Ghetto Comedies
Israel Zangwill

It came, she seized it with some audacity, and the old gentleman’s guffaw acknowledged her.
Yonder
Emily Hilda Young

Fletcher took the gander with a guffaw, the old crone chuckled, and the young men laughed as they mounted their horses.
The Prophet of the Great Smoky Mountains
Charles Egbert Craddock

Anagram

aw guff

Today’s quote

Forbid us something, and that thing we desire.

– Geoffrey Chaucer

On this day

25 March 1947 – birth of Elton John (Reginald Dwight), British singer-songwriter.

25 March 1957 – the Treaty of Rome is signed by France, West Germany, Holland, Belgium, Italy and Luxembourg, establishing the European Economic Community (EEC). In 1993, following the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty, the European Union (EU) was created, and the EEC incorporated to became known as the European Community (EC).