cough

v. loudly expel air from the lungs; admit something, confess

n. loud expulsion of air from the lungs; respiratory inflammation characterized by repeated coughing; confession

A cough, also known as tussis is a sudden, often repetitive, spasmodic contraction of the thoracic cavity, resulting in violent release of air from the lungs, and usually accompanied by a distinctive sound. Coughing is an action the body takes to get rid of substances that are irritating the air passages. A cough is usually initiated to clear a buildup of phlegm in the trachea. Coughing can also be triggered by a bolus of food entering the trachea rather than the esophagus due to a failure of the epiglottis. Frequent or chronic coughing usually indicates the presence of a disease. Provided the patient is a non-smoker and has a normal chest X-ray, the cause of chronic cough in 93% of all patients is due to asthma, heartburn or post-nasal drip. Other causes of chronic cough include chronic bronchitis and medications such as ACE inhibitors. Coughing can happen voluntarily as well as involuntarily.
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A cough is a forceful release of air from the lungs that can be heard. Coughing protects the respiratory system by clearing it of [more]Cough - Community and Resources

Noun
1. sudden expulsion of air from the lungs that clears the air passages; a common symptom of upper respiratory infection or bronchitis or pneumonia or tuberculosis
(synonym) coughing
(hypernym) symptom
(part-holonym) respiratory disease, respiratory illness, respiratory disorder
2. the act of exhaling air suddenly with a noise
(synonym) coughing
(hypernym) exhalation, expiration, breathing out
Verb
1. exhale abruptly, as when one has a chest cold or congestion; "The smoker coughs all day"
(hypernym) expectorate, cough up, cough out, spit up, spit out
(hyponym) hack, whoop
(see-also) expectorate, cough up, cough out, spit up, spit out
(derivation) coughing

(v. t.)
To expel from the lungs or air passages by coughing; -- followed by up; as, to cough up phlegm.
  

(v. t.)
To bring to a specified state by coughing; as, he coughed himself hoarse.
  

(v. i.)
To expel air, or obstructing or irritating matter, from the lungs or air passages, in a noisy and violent manner.
  

(v. i.)
The more or less frequent repetition of coughing, constituting a symptom of disease.
  

(v. i.)
A sudden, noisy, and violent expulsion of air from the chest, caused by irritation in the air passages, or by the reflex action of nervous or gastric disorder, etc.