Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Gargle

Gar′gle

,
Noun.
(Arch.)
See
Gargoyle
.

Gar′gle

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Garggled
,
p. pr. & vb. n.
Gargling
([GREEK]).]
[F.
gargouiller
to dabble, paddle, gargle. Cf.
Gargoyle
,
Gurgle
.]
1.
To wash or rinse, as the mouth or throat, particular the latter, agitating the liquid (water or a medicinal preparation) by an expulsion of air from the lungs.
2.
To warble; to sing as if gargling
[Obs.]
Waller.

Gar′gle

,
Noun.
A liquid, as water or some medicated preparation, used to cleanse the mouth and throat, especially for a medical effect.

Webster 1828 Edition


Gargle

G`ARGLE

,
Verb.
T.
[Eng. to gurgle.]
1.
To wash the throat and mouth with a liquid preparation, which is kept from descending into the stomach by a gentle expiration of air.
2.
To warble; to play in the throat. [Unusual.]

Definition 2024


gargle

gargle

English

Verb

gargle (third-person singular simple present gargles, present participle gargling, simple past and past participle gargled)

Examples (a gargling sound)

  1. (intransitive) to clean one's mouth by holding water or some other liquid in the back of the mouth and blowing air out from the lungs
    • 1915, Willa Cather, The Song of the Lark:
      She hated the poisoned feeling in her throat, and no matter how often she gargled she felt unclean and disgusting.
  2. (intransitive) to make a sound like the one made while gargling
  3. (transitive) to clean a specific part of the body by gargling (almost always throat or mouth)
    • 1893, Gilbert Parker, Mrs. Falchion:
      They don't gargle their throats with anything stronger than coffee at this tavern.
  4. (transitive) to use (a liquid) for purposes of cleaning one's mouth or throat by gargling.
    Every morning he gargled a little cheap Scotch.
Translations

Noun

gargle (plural gargles)

  1. a liquid used for gargling
    • 1861, Young's Demonstrative Translation of Scientific Secrets:
      Take of borax 1 drm., tinc. of myrrh 1/2 oz., clarified honey 1 oz., rose or distilled water, 4 oz.; mix. To be used as a gargle or mouth wash in sore mouth or affection of the gums.
  2. the sound of gargling
  3. (slang) lager, drink
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations

Etymology 2

Noun

gargle (plural gargles)

  1. Obsolete form of gargoyle.

Anagrams