wail
/weɪl/
noun
- 1
A prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish.
“She let out a loud, doleful wail.”
- 2
Any similar sound as of lamentation; a howl.
“A bird's wail in the night.”
- 3
A sound made by emergency vehicle sirens, contrasted with "yelp" which is higher-pitched and faster.
verb
- 1
To cry out, as in sorrow or anguish.
- 2
To weep, lament persistently or bitterly.
- 3
To make a noise like mourning or crying.
“The wind wailed and the rain streamed down.”
- 4
To lament; to bewail; to grieve over.
“to wail one's death”
- 5
To perform with great liveliness and force.
verb
- 1
To strike the skin in such a way as to produce a wale or welt.
- 2
To give a surface a texture of wales or welts.
verb
- 1
To choose, select.
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