Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COUGH, n. [kauf. Qu. D. kuch.]

The elements are not both of the same organ; but gh and f are sometimes interchanged, as in rough, ruff. See Class Cg, No. 29, 36. In Pers. خفَتَه chaftah, and خَفَه chafa, is a cough.] A violent effort of the lungs to throw off offending matter; a violent, sometimes involuntary, and sonorous expiration, suddenly expelling the air through the glottis. The violent action of the muscles serving for expiration gives great force to the air, while the contraction of the glottis produces the sound. The air forced violently carries along with it the phlegm or irritating matter which causes the effort of the muscles. – Encyc.