/chuckle-meaning

// Verb. 

// Pronunciation and accent: tʃʌk(ə)l).  

// Etymology: it is said to be derived from the verb CHUCK “to make a clucking noise”, to which is suffixed –le (suffix with frequentative force). W. Skeat: it might be related to CHOKE more immediately than to CHUCK. 

// Preterite tense, preterite participle: chuckled.

// Present participle: chuckling.

// It is dated from the end of 1500.

// Intransitive: 1. Obsolete meaning: to laugh convulsively.

// 2. To laugh in a suppressed manner, as if inwardly; to laugh to oneself, as when one congratulates oneself; to laugh quietly with a chuckle (an almost inaudible laugh).

// Antonyms: to sulk, pout, boody.

// Synonyms for “chuckle”: titter, giggle, snigger, snicker, sniggle.

// Translation: ridacchiare, in Italian; reír entre dientes, in Spanish; glousser, in French.

The last man being gone, Mr Gregsbury rubbed his hands and chuckled, as merry fellows will, when they think they have said or done a more than commonly good thing.

Dickens… Nicholas… 1839

Making an obeisance, the man left the baron alone, chuckling in anticipation of success.

Pierce Egan… Robin Hood… 1840

Gibson chuckled with delight; he had humbugged a stranger.

Marryat… Travels and Adventures… 1843

I chuckled excessively when I thought of my acumen. It was the first time I had ever known Wyatt to keep from me any of his artistical secrets.

E. Poe… The Oblong Box… 1844

// With the preposition “over” + the cause of the joy:

Joe Duncombe was, to tell the truth, a little ashamed of his credulity on that occasion. He entertained no doubt that he had been victimized by a clever practical joke, and while he chuckled over the recollection that it had been an expensive jest to the perpetrator, who had lost a valuable gold coin by the transaction, he had no fancy for exposing himself to any further ridicule on the occasion.

E. Braddon… Run to Earth 1868

// With the preposition “at” + a noun, or a gerund, by which the cause of the joy is designated:

Gashford, with many a sly look towards the bed, sat chuckling at his master's folly.

Dickens… Barnaby… 1841

Upon the eighth night, I was more than usually cautious in opening the door. A watch's minute hand moves more quickly than did mine. Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own powers - of my sagacity. I could scarcely contain my feelings of triumph. To think that there I was, opening the door, little by little, and he not even to dream of my secret deeds or thoughts. I fairly chuckled at the idea; and perhaps he heard me; for he moved on the bed suddenly, as if startled. Now you may think that I drew back - but no.

E. Poe… The Tell-Tale… 1843

... they chuckled inwardly at the idea of the workmen's discomfiture and defeat, in their attempt to alter one iota of what Thornton had decreed.

Gaskell… North and South… 1854

… my companions chuckled hugely at the success of their manoeuvre.

Burton… First footsteps… 1856

Jeremiah chuckled at having forced her to adopt his phrase.

Dickens… Little Dorrit… 1857

“Buenos días, Señor!” returned the captain, with so vile a pronunciation that Jack could scarcely repress a smile. He passed on unrecognized, and chuckled at having so completely deceived the worthy captain.

H. Strang… The Light brigade in Spain… 1905

Corson chuckled at the thought of such easy money.

M. Brand… Alcatraz… 1923

// With a verb in infinitive, by which the cause of the joy is designated:: 

Next to Nicot, an old woman and a young virgin were muttering in earnest whispers, and the atheist painter chuckled inly to overhear their discourse.

E. Lytton… Zanoni… 1842

// With the preposition “to” + noun of the person to whom the chuckler signifies joy by a chuckle:

Approaching the nest, … [Charley] gently lifted the crying infant from between its two screeching and somewhat pugnacious companions. The moment he had done so, the little innocent became quiet, and instantly recognising him, she held out her hands, and smiled and chuckled to him....

T. Lauder… Tales of the Highlands… 1841

… Sarah Benson instantly chuckled to her daughters to attract their notice before Seph had passed the door to the men’s side.

E. Marshall… Life’s aftermath… 1877

//  With reflexive pronoun: 

The old man walked all around the big bell. Not a boy was to be seen… The boys chuckled to themselves as they watched the puzzled old man walking around the bell, again and again peering over the balustrade…

Noah Brooks… Fairport 1880

He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands together.

Doyle… Sherlock Holmes… 1892

// With reciprocal meaning:

The men on the doorsteps chuckled to each other and kept silence.

W. Johnson… Among French folk… 1922

// Transitive: to utter (a sound, interjection, etc.) while chuckling. 

"He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector.

A. Doyle… Sherlock… 1892

Harrigan chuckled his triumph and went on with the scrubbing of the bridge.

M. Brand… Harrigan… 1918

// With the adverb “out”, in a pleonastic construction:

He chuckled out a deep rumbling laugh of amusement.

A. Hope… The Great Miss Driver… 1908

// English words derived from “chuckle”: chuckler, chuckling, chucklingly. 

 

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