keening

[ kee-ning ]

noun

1. the act of a person who keens. keen.
2. a wailing lament for the dead; keen.

Word History and Origins

Origin of keening¹

First recorded in 1875–80; keen ² + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

How many hours of keening sports commentary would be unleashed, from fans and performatively enraged pundits alike, about not sacrificing for the greater good and the promise of glory.

From The Daily Beast

She crinkles her brow and then, on cue, she emits a keening howl.

From The Daily Beast

But nothing they essayed could fully drown out the keening of their lust to return to high office.

From The Daily Beast

A wounded woman sat keening on the ground, clasping the body of her dead child in her arms.

From The Daily Beast

It rose again a few seconds later as if baffled, but it continued to hover at that point, keening forth its warning.

From Project Gutenberg

I watched the tracking screen, listened to the high keening noises coming from the receivers.

From Project Gutenberg

Keening in from the lake, the wind made him stagger backwards.

From Project Gutenberg

The neighbours keening along with me would be better to me than an estate.

From Project Gutenberg

"It is the wild Irish women keening over their dead," he remarked, with perfect unconcern.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bawl
• blubber
• howl
• lament
• sob
• wail