hmph.

n.  an ambiguous, “diplomatic” response, as in the novel Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson.

<The old sweeper hmph’d an ambiguous response and returned to sweeping into a heap tiny pieces of blue and white sky—bits of mirror smashed and sprinkled over the walkway.  —Arthur Phillips, Prague: A Novel.>

n.  an angry sputter, as in the novel Fool’s Puzzle by Earlene Fowler.


n.  an argumentative expression, as in the novel Once Upon a Curse by E.D. Baker.


n.  an exclamation by the “Good Magician Humfrey” that, according to a translator golem, means “You blundering aviary feline!  Get your catty feet on the ground!” (Piers Anthony, Source of Magic). 


n.  an expression of annoyance, as in the novel The Legend of Luke by Brian Jacques.


n.  an expression of consent, as in The Falcon at the Portal: An Amelia Peabody Mystery by Elizabeth Peters.


n.  an expression of distrust, as of “people who do [southern drawl] accents” too easily in the novel Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos by Donna Andrews.


n.  an expression of indignation, as in the novel The Golden Transcendence by John C. Wright.

<Hmph!  Will heard an indignant—and muffled—squeak.  —Disney Enterprises, W.I.T.C.H. Chapter Book: A Bridge Between Worlds.>

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