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Webster 1913 Edition

(rĕch or rēch; 277)

Verb.

[

imp. & p. p.

Retched

(rĕcht)

;

p. pr. & vb. n.

Retching

[AS.

hræcan

to clear the throat, hawk, fr.

hraca

throat; akin to G.

rachen

, and perhaps to E.

rack

neck.]

To make an effort to vomit; to strain, as in vomiting.

[Written also

reach

Beloved Julia, hear me still beseeching!
(Here he grew inarticulate with

retching

Byron.

Verb.

[See

To care for; to heed; to reck.

[Obs.]

Chaucer.

Verb.

[See Reach.]

To make an effort to vomit; to heave; as the stomach; to strain, as in vomiting; properly to reach.