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Webster 1913 Edition


Cachinnation

Cachˊin-na′tion

(kăkˊĭn-nā′shŭn)
,
Noun.
[L.
cachinnatio
, fr.
cachinnare
to laugh aloud, cf. Gr.
καχάζειν
.]
Loud or immoderate laughter; – often a symptom of hysterical or maniacal affections.
Hideous grimaces . . . attended this unusual
cachinnation
.
Sir W. Scott.

Webster 1828 Edition


Cachinnation

CACHINNATION

,
Noun.
A variety of chalcedony, which is a subspecies of quartz, usually milk white, some times grayish or yellowish white; opake or slightly translucent at the edges. Its fracture is even, or conchoidal with large cavities, sometimes dull, sometimes pearly or glossy. It often envelops common chalcedony; the two minerals being united by insensible shades. It also associates with flint and semi-opal.

Definition 2024


cachinnation

cachinnation

English

Noun

cachinnation (plural cachinnations)

  1. Convulsive, loud laughter.
    • 1920, Peter B. Kyne, The Understanding Heart, Chapter V
      His shrill, mirthless cachinnation followed Monica as she headed up-hill.
    • 1928, H. P. Lovecraft, The Dunwich Horror,
      After midnight their shrill notes burst into a kind of pandemoniac cachinnation which filled all the countryside, and not until dawn did they finally quiet down.

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