heigh-ho, int. (n., v.)
(ˈheɪhəʊ)
Forms: 6 heyhow, -hough, heihow, heigh hoe, heigh-how, 7 hey ho, heyho, hai-ho, 6– heigh ho, 7– heigho, heigh-ho.
[f. heigh, hey int. + ho.]
A. int. An exclamation usually expressing yawning, sighing, languor, weariness, disappointment.
| a 1553 Udall Royster D. ii. i. (Arb.) 33 Ah for these long nights, heyhow, when will it be day? 1590 Shakes. Mids. N. iv. i. 209 Hey ho, Peter Quince? 1599 ― Much Ado ii. i. 332, I may sit in a corner and cry, heigh ho for a husband. 1609 Butter Man in Moon in Brit. Bibl. (1812) II. 89 Heigh-ho how he sigheth, and beateth his brest. 1633 Massinger Guardian v. ii, We'll talk of that anon.—Heigh ho! (Falls asleep.) 1776 Maiden Aunt III. 151 Heigh, ho!—Be merciful on that trying occasion. 1801 M. Edgeworth Angelina ii. (1832) 22 Heigh-ho! must I sleep again without seeing my Araminta? 1842 Miall in Nonconf. II. 832 Heigho! This is a world of ups and downs. 1871 W. H. Beever Daily Life Farm 40 Heigh-ho! this dreary day! |
B. n. An utterance of heigh-ho!; a loud or audible sigh.
| ? c 1600 Distracted Emp. iii. i. in Bullen O. Pl. III. 208 Dreames sonnetts to the tune of syghes and heyhos. a 1616 Beaum. & Fl. Bonduca i. ii, Ay me's! and hearty hey hoes! Are sallads fit for soldiers. 1795 Fate of Sedley I. 149, I bid her farewell as a lover, and left her with a low bow and an heigho. |
C. v. To utter heigh-ho!, to sigh audibly.
| 1824 Galt Rothelan III. 241 She began to sob, and wipe her dry eyes, and heighho. 1852 M. W. Savage R. Medlicott I. 11 It was just the sort of house which youthful couples..heigh-ho'd for as they passed. 1868 Atkinson Cleveland Gloss., Heigh how, to yawn, as when weary. |