hu:t n. & v. --n. 1 an owl's
cry. 2
the sound made by a
motor horn or a
steam whistle. 3 a
shout expressing
scorn or disapproval; an
inarticulate shout. 4 colloq. a
laughter. b a
cause of
this. 5 (also
two hoots) sl.
anything at
all (don't
care a hoot; don't
give a hoot; doesn't
matter two hoots). --v. 1 intr. a (of an owl) utter
its cry. b (of a motor horn or steam whistle)
make a hoot. c (often foll. by at) make
loud sounds,
esp. of scorn or disapproval or colloq.
merriment (hooted
with laughter). 2 tr. a
assail with
scornful shouts. b (often foll. by
out, away)
drive away by hooting. 3 tr. sound (a motor horn or steam whistle). [ME huten (v.), perh. imit.]