See Also: Richardson, Sir Ralph (David)(encyclopedia)
Abernathy, Ralph David(encyclopedia)
Richardson(1)(dictionary)
Richardson(medicine)
Richardson(2)(dictionary)
Richardson, Samuel(encyclopedia)
Richardson, Samuel(dictionary)
Richardson, Tony(encyclopedia)
Richardson (as used in expressions)(encyclopedia)
Richardson's equation(dictionary)

cackle (iou) and Richardson, Sir Ralph (David) (sh)


cackle (iou)



cackle verb & noun. ME.
[Prob. from Middle & mod. Low German, Middle Dutch kakelen, partly of imit. origin, partly from kake jaw, cheek.]
A. verb.
verb intrans. Of a hen: make the clucking noise characteristically made after laying an egg. Of a goose: make its similar characteristic noise, gaggle. ME.
b. Of a jackdaw, magpie, starling, etc.: chatter. ME-L17.
verb intrans. Of a person: be full of noisy chatter; laugh spasmodically or in a loud and silly manner. ME.
verb trans. Utter with or express by cackling. ME.
b. noun.
The cackling of a hen or goose. ME.
Idle chattering; noisy inconsequential talk. L17.
cut the cackle colloq. (stop talking and) come to the point.
A spasmodic or loud and silly laugh. M19.
cackler noun LME.

Richardson, Sir Ralph (David) (sh)




born Dec. 19, 1902, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Eng.
died Oct. 10, 1983, London

British actor.

He began his acting career at age 18 and gained prominence in the 1930s and '40s at the Old Vic in roles such as Peer Gynt, Petruchio, Falstaff, and Volpone, gaining a reputation as one of the greatest actors of his time. He made his screen debut in 1933 and became known for playing urbane, witty characters and later for eccentric old men. His many films included The Fallen Idol (1948), Doctor Zhivago (1965), and Greystoke (1984).