Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HACK, v.t. [Sax. haccan; D. hakken; G. hacken; Dan. hakker; Sw. hacka; Fr. hacher, from which we have hash and hatchet, and from the same root, hatchel; Arm. haicha; W. haciaw, to hack; hag, a gash; and haggle is of the same family, as are hew and hoe. Class Cg.]

1. To cut irregularly and into small pieces; to notch; to mangle by repeated strokes of a cutting instrument.
2. To speak with stops or catches; to speak with hesitation. Shak.