wail

/weɪl/

noun

  1. 1

    A prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish.

    She let out a loud, doleful wail.
  2. 2

    Any similar sound as of lamentation; a howl.

    A bird's wail in the night.
  3. 3

    A sound made by emergency vehicle sirens, contrasted with "yelp" which is higher-pitched and faster.

verb

  1. 1

    To cry out, as in sorrow or anguish.

  2. 2

    To weep, lament persistently or bitterly.

  3. 3

    To make a noise like mourning or crying.

    The wind wailed and the rain streamed down.
  4. 4

    To lament; to bewail; to grieve over.

    to wail one's death
  5. 5

    To perform with great liveliness and force.

verb

  1. 1

    To strike the skin in such a way as to produce a wale or welt.

  2. 2

    To give a surface a texture of wales or welts.

verb

  1. 1

    To choose, select.

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