horse-laugh
(ˈhɔːslɑːf, -æ-)
[See horse n. 27 h.]
A loud coarse laugh.
| 1713 Steele Guardian No. 29 ¶24 The Horse-Laugh is a distinguishing characteristick of the rural hoyden. 1751 G. Lavington Enthus. Method & Papists (1754) II. 46 Treating the holy Men with Derision, Scoffs, Taunts, Horse-Laughs. 1847 Alb. Smith Chr. Tadpole xlv. (1879) 394 They..burst into a loud horse-laugh in his face. 1874 L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) I. x. 353 Jovial squires laughed horse-laughs at this mincing dandy. |
So (nonce-wds.) horse-laugh v. intr., to give vent to a horse-laugh or a series of horse-laughs; hence horse-laugher. Also horse-laughter.
| 1713 Steele Guardian No. 29 ¶5 Several kinds of laughers..The Dimplers. The Smilers..The Horse-laughers. 1763 Brit. Mag. IV. 660 For ministers had done the like before, And like him horse-laugh'd at the nation. 1821 Blackw. Mag. X. 572/2 Whisperings, and titterings, and horse laughter, and loud guffaws. |